Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 3524

Introduced by: HON. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the creation of an additional branch of the Regional Trial
Court in the Province of Negros Occidental to be seated at the City of Sipalay.

At present there is only one Regional Trial Court, specifically Branch 61, located in the
City of Kabankalan, which has jurisdiction over the 6% Legislative District of Negros Occidental.
The latter district includes the cities of Kabankalan and Sipalay and the municipalities of log,
Candoni, Cauayan and Hinobaan of which has a population of 456,852 based on the 2007
Census.

With the huge volume of cases under Branch 61 of the Regional Trial Court in
Kabankalan City, delays in the disposition of cases occur. The creation of the additional branch
will reduce the court's voluminous dockets and will amplify the Constitutional mandate that all
persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-
judicial or administrative bodies.

The site of this additional Regional Trial Court is proposed to be situated in Sipalay City
in order to efficiently serve litigants who reside far away from the present Regional Trial Court
located in Kabankalan City.

In view of the foregoing, it is therefore imperative that an additional Regional Trial Court
to be seated in Sipalay City be created and that the approval of this bill earnestly sought.

lash fe Cllr
ep. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 8024

Introduced by: HON. MERCEDES K. ALVAREZ

AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE.
PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL WITH A SEAT IN THE CITY OF SIPALAY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PARAGRAPH (G), SECTION 14 OF BATAS.
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 14, Paragraph (g) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended, otherwise
known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

“(g) [Sixty-three] Sixty-four Regional Trial Court Judges
shall be commissioned for the Sixth Judicial Region. There shall be:

XXXXX

[Twenty-four] Twenty-five branches ([Branches XL-LXII]
Branches XL-LXIV) for the province of Negros Occidental xxxxx
with seat at xoccxx and Branch LXIV at Sipalay City.

XXxxx”

SECTION 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the additional Regional Trial Court branch in the
City of Sipalay, Negros Occidental and shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. The Chief Justice of the Supreme court in coordination with the Secretary of the
Department of Justice shall immediately include in the court's program the operationalization of
one additional Regional Trial Court for the Province of Negros Occidental, with a station at the
City of Sipalay, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, presidential decrees, letters of instruction, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with this Act shall be amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval

Approved,