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December Pay Cut for Federal Judges Triggers Protests as New Judicial Administrator Reports 14 Billion-Peso Deficit

A Supreme Court order lifting suspensions cleared the way to align judicial salaries with the 2024 reform’s cap tied to the president’s pay.

Overview

  • More than 800 career district judges and circuit magistrates saw December deposits reduced by roughly 20% to 23%, with cuts applied to both pay periods.
  • Judicial associations (JUFED) denounced the reductions as violating constitutional protections on irreducible remuneration and warned of risks to judicial independence.
  • The Órgano de Administración Judicial said a new pay tabulator was set on September 5 to ensure no official earns more than the president, while judges reported additional unexpected deductions showing up this month.
  • In a 100‑day report, OAJ president Néstor Vargas cited a nearly 14 billion‑peso shortfall, severe maintenance problems in court facilities and equipment, and the elimination of certain benefits for top pay bands and new hires.
  • The OAJ reported 19 sessions resolving 407 matters and the assignment of 846 judges to posts, and it announced an early‑2026 work plan to tackle backlogs with existing resources.