MANILA — The Supreme court has junked the plea of the Department of Finance-Revenue Integrity Protection Service (DOF-RIPS) seeking exemption from the payment of the amount of PHP1,000 for the Sheriff’s Trust Fund (STF).
In a two-page minute resolution, the High Court’s Second Division cited its administrative rules, which says the STF is not part of the filing fees and that there is a need to collect it from those who are listed as exempted from the payment.
“STF is not part of the filing fees. It is collected for the enforcement of judgments, which is for the benefit of the parties,” the court said.
“The Court has no funds for STF because there is no appropriation for it under the General Appropriations Act. The Court cannot divert its funds to pay for these fees which should be paid by the parties, including those who are listed as exempted from the payment of filing fees,” it added.
The DOF-RIPS, through the Office of the Solicitor General, moved for the reconsideration of the June 18, 2018 resolution, requiring it to pay PHP1,000 for the STF, arguing that it cannot pay the STF because it has no funds allocated for the purpose.
The RIPS is the anti-corruption arm of the DOF created by Executive Order 259 on Dec. 17, 2003. (Benjamin Pulta/PNA)
