Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. __., 2542

Submitted by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriatons on

18DEC 2012
Re: House Bil No, __ 6772
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No, 4670

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr. and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong

‘Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was
referred House Bill No. 4670, introduced by Representative Jocelyn §, Limkaichong,
entitled:

“AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980" AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”
6772

have considered the same and recommend that the attached Mouse Bill No. _____,
entitled:

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED
AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN, PROVINCE OF NEGROS


ORIENTAL, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14, PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 1239,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY KEORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR

Be approved in substitution of House Bill No. 4670 with Representatives Jocelyn S.
Limkaichong and Niel C. Tupas, Jr., as au! ereok.

Respectfully submitted,

Chairptrson Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations CAmmittee on Justice
The Honorable
The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


Wi

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Uhird Regular Session

No, 6772

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives Jocelyn S. Limkaichong and Niel C. Tupas, Jr.

AN ACT

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT
THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN, PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL,
FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH
(H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

id House of Representatives of the Philippines ix

SFCTION 1. ‘here is hereby created an additional Regional Trial
Court branch in the Seventh Judicial Region to be stationed at the City of
‘Guihuingan, Province of Negros Oriental

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-
created branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Seventh Judicial Region.

SEC. 2. 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 an additional branch of the

Regional Trial Court to be stationed at the City of Guihulngan,, the funding of

which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act


SEC. 3. Section 14 (h) of Balas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known
as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980” as amended, and all other laws,
rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation,

Approved,


Republic of the Ph
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 4670

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish an additional branch of the Regional
Trial Court in the City of Guihulngan, Province of Negros Oriental, by
amending for the purpose pertinent provisions of Batas Pambansa
Big. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of
1980” as amended.

‘The creation of an additional branch of the Regional trial Court
to be stationed in the City of Guihuingan, Province of Negros Oriental
is consistent with the judiciary’s thrust to deliver quality and
effective justice and in order to carry out the constitutional mandate
provided under Section 16, Article I! of the Bill of Rights that “All
persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases
before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

To date, the lone Regional Trial Court (Branch 62) in the City of

Guihulngan continues to face a deluge of cases. As of March 2UIT, the
Court has a total of 420 pending cases. This large number of pending
undecided cases may be well attributed tc the conversion of
Guihulngan into a component city and in the significant increase in
the number of inhabitants as well as in the simultancous increase in
business and commercial activities in the city

Thus, in order to help decongest or reduce the backlog of court
dockets in the lone Regional Trial Court, Branch 62, in the City of
Guihulngan, the creation of an additional Regional Trial Court branch
in the city is highly imperative.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is urgently and
earnestly sought.



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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4670

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980” AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERFOR

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby created an additional Regional

Trial Court branch in the Seventh Judicial Region with scat at the City
of Guihuingan, Province of Negros Oriental

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the
newly created branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Seventh
Judicial Region.

SECTION 2. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in
coordination with the secretary of the Department of Justice, shall

include in the Court’s program the-operationalization of



City of Guihulngan, Province of Negros Oriental, the funding of which
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. Section 14 (h) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129,
otherwise known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980” as
amended, and all jaws, rule and regulations which are inconsistent
with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of

general circulation.

Approved,



Republic of tye Blitippines
House of Representatives
@urcon City, Mateo Manila

November 20, 2012 Wy

HON, NIEL C. TUPAS, JR.
Chairperson
Commitice on Justice

Dear Chairperson Tupas:

Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at
Conference Rooms 3 and 4, Ramon V. Mitra Building, approved to report out the

following bills:

4, Substitute Bill to House Sill Nos. 182 and 183, titled “AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO (2)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES FOR THE
PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIIA TO BE STATIONED IN SAN JOSE CITY (2), THE
SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ (2), AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, AMENDING =OR
THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29, AND SECTION 30 OF
BATAS PAMBANSA 8LG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF ‘980. AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR",
_2. Substtute Bill to House Bil No. 750. titiea "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITICNAL
"BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TC 8E
STATIONED IN SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC.
4, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERW!SE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, SND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

Substitute Bill to House dil! No. 899. titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU T= BE
STATIONED IN DANAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION +

PARAGRAPH (H} OF SATAS PAMBANSA SLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERW SE
KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, ND

APPROPRIATING FUNOS THEREFOR”:

Substitute Gill to House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423, tied "AN ACT CREATING 4}
ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GAR!
CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN “E
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE

Ns

e



PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (L} AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGAN ZATION
ACT OF 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

5. Substitute Bill to House Sill No, 1906, tied "AN ACT CREATING AN ADC TIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC 14, PARAGRAPH (K) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129 AS.
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY REGRGANIZATION &CT OF

4980. AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’;

_-8. Substitute Sil to House Bill Na. 4968, tied “AN ACT CREATING AN ADD-“IONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN. PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSS BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

7. House Bill No. 5341, tied "AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE STATIONED (2)
AT THE CITY OF MALAYBALAY AND (1) AT THE CITY OF VALENCIA, AMENDING.
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION FOURTEEN (14), PARAGRAPH (K), OF 3ATAS
PAMBANSA BUG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FINDS

THEREFOR’,
8 House Sill No. 5336, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF
“THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDEC AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR" . -

8." Substitute Bill to House Bull No. 6582, tiled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGICNAL TRIAL COURT IN THE BIGHT JUDICIAL REGICN TO.
SE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR:
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
IERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 198¢' AS

AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR™,

1/10 House Bill No. S597, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWENTY-TWO (22) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAP.TAL
JUDICIAL REGION FOR QUEZON CITY, WITH SEATS THEREAT, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED. AND.

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Subshtute Bill to House dill No. 5827, tiled “AN ACT CREATING FOURTEEN 14)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND SEVEN (7)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT FOR THE PROVE.CE
OF TARLAC, TO BE STATIONED AT TARLAC CITY, AND AT THE MUNICIPALIT ES
CF PANIQUI, CAPAS, CAMILING. VICTORIA-LA PAZ, CONCEPCION, STA. iGNACIO-
SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERCNA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPCSE.
SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH IC), SECTION 29 AND SECTION 30 OF 34-AS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, GTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY



REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED, AND
THEREFOR’

32. Substitute Bill 10 House Bill No, 2306, titied "AN ACT CREA
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NAé
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MAKATI CITY, METRO
THE PURPOSE SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG
AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 3372, tied “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT !N THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF CALBAYOG, PROVINCE OF WESTERN
SAMAR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
420, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980°
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2958, titled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ISASELA, 70 BE
STATIONED IN CAUAYAN CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTICN 14,
PARAGRAPH (8) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980", AS AMENDED AND APPROPRIATING:
FUNDS THEREFOR"

House Bill No. 4870, ttled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH O= THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULGAN
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA SLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR"

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill Ne, 4708, tied "AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUD-CIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PARANAQUE CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (0) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1930 AS.
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4719, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES (MTCC) IN THE
PROVINCE OF QU=ZON TO BE STATIONED AT LUCENA CITY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR®

78, Substitute Bill to House Bill No. S586, atled "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITICNAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCES:
OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDIZIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MALABON CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING =OR
THE PURPCSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BiG. 129.
STHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS.
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE=OR™

14

AS.

46.

17,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5839. atled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITICNAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE (6) ADDITICNAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAP TAL


JUDICIAL REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PASAY CITY, METRO IJANILA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS:
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’, and

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 6448, tited "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGICNAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED 'N THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG, AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITES OF
BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA AND MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (=) AND
SECTION 3¢ OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR"

with oranibus amendment to the proposed appropriations provisions as follows:
Delete the last sentence which reads as follows:

THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE COURT HEREIN:
CREATED SHALL BE APPROPRIATED AND RELEASED ONLY UPON THE
ACTUAL ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT AND THE APPOINTMENT OF

ITS PERSONNEL.

Tt was also moved that the title of House Bill No. 5837 be amended to reflect the correct
name of the place from STA. IGNACIO — SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND.

GERONA TO STA, IGNACIA - SAN C)

Chairperson

'E, MONCADA AND GERONA.

Conmaittee on Appropriations

Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violaga
Rep. Arturo 8. Robes

Rep. Ramon “Red” H. Durano Vi

Rep. Antonio F. Lagdamen, J.

Rep. Yevgeny Vincent 8. Emano

Rep. Lnabalie Ruth R, Vitarica

Rep. Florencio T. Floras, ar

Rep, trvin M. Alka

Rep. Lucy Mane Torres-Gormez

Rep. Jorge "Bolet’ Banal

Rep. Enrique M. Cojuangeo.

Rep. Susan A. Yap

Rep. Godotrede V. Ariza

Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento

Rep. Napoleon S. Dy

Rep. Edwin L. Olvarez

Rep. Jasephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel
Rep, imelaa Calisto-Rubiane

Rep. Reynaldo V, Umag


MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 04 SEPTEMBER
2012, TUESDAY, 9:30 A.M. AT CONFERENCE ROOMS 1 & 2, RVM BUILDING, HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

GUESTS:
ATTY. ANTONIO EUGENIO, JR. ~ Deputy Court Administrator, Supreme Court

ATTY. MANUEL CO — Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Bureau of Corrections
ATTY. PERSIDA ACOSTA - Chief, Public Attorney's Office {PAO}
P/SUPT-II RAMON REYES — OIC, New Bilibic' Prison {NBP}
SUPT ANTONIO CRUZ -OIC, Administrative Division, Bureau of Corrections (BuCo"}
DR. CYNTHIA ANDRADA - OIC, Reception and Diagnostic Center, BuCor
MR. ALFREDO DEVARAS — Chief, BuCor Reservation Support Services (BRSS)
MR. ROLLO ALARCON ~ Chief, Program Management Office (PMO), BuCor
MR. RAFAEL RAGOS — Deputy Director, National Bureau of Investigation (NBi)
|. MS, MARIA TERESA DE CASTRO ~ Sports and Recreation Office, BuCor
MR. MELITO GERONIMO, JR. ~ President, Bureau of Corrections Empleyzes’
Association (BUCOREA)
12. DR. RENANTE BASAS ~ Director IV, Commission on Human Rights (CHA)
13. ATTY. JESSICA GAMBOL SCHUCK ~ Atty. V, CHR

PON DMB NE

b
S

11,

1, CALLTO ORDER/ROLL CALL _

Rep. Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Justice called the meeting to order at
9:52 a.m. The Chairman called on Atty. David Robert Amorin, Service Director of he
Legal/Political Cluster to lead the prayer. Rep. Rodolfo Aibano, Jr. then moved to disperse
with the roll call, The motion was duly seconded and approved.

1, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 2012 MEETING

Rep. Albano moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve the same
Both motions were duly seconded and approved.

nl, MEETING PROPER

A. CREATION OF ADDITIONAL COURT SALAS (House Bil! Nos. 2306, 2958, 3372, 4265,
4670, 4708, 4719, 5531, 5558, 5566, 5839 and 6418)

Committee the various |.ouse Bills creating

The Chairman presented to the members cf t
additional court salas, He stated that during a meeting of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC,

the members of the IBC agreed that with regard to the creation of new court salas, th
Committee shail base its decisions on che recommendations of the Supreme Court. Tr
Chairman chen called on Deputy Court Administrator Antonio Eugenio, Jr. to comment ca
the said touse Bills. DCA Eugenio questioned the creation cf four (4) Regional Trial Cours
(RTCst in separate locations in Caloocan City as provided in HB 4265. He stated that the
reason for the splitting of the 4 RTCs inta separate locations {Caloocan City Proper anz


Caloocan City North Station) must be clarified. DCA Eugenio also deferrec his
recommendations on HB 5531 and 5558 in order to conduct further studies on the nee? for
the creation of additional court salas in Olongapo, Zambales and in Pasig City.

With regard to HB 5566, the Chairmar. manifested that the author of the bill, Rep. Josephine
Lacson-Noel, has submitted an amendment to the bill such that there «be two (2)
adcitioral Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) branches instead of just ane (1) in Matabon. DCA
Eugenio expressed his agreement to the amendment and did not interpose any obje

thereto,

Rep. Albano stated that there are some local government units (LGUs) where saias are
provided, but which do not have judges or personnel. he recommended that the funds for
newly created salas be released only upon the actual organization of such courts. DCA
Eugenio agreed to raise this issue to the Court Administrator.

3,

Aiter the comments from DCA Eugenio, the Chairman deferred action on HB Nos. 42
5532 and 555B pending the written recommendation to be submitted by the Office of the
Court Administrator on September 7, 2022. Rep. Albanc then made an omnibus motio~ to
approve the remaining nine (9) bills, subject to form and style, and subject further that the
funds appropriated to such court salas shall be released only upon the actual organizaion
thereof. The motion was duly seconded and there being no objection, and the 1allowing =ills

were approved on the Committee level

HB No. 2306 re: 5 MeTC {Makati City) by Rep. G. Arquiza;
HB No. 2958 re: 1 RTC (Cauyan, Isabela) by Rep. N. Dy;

HB No. 3372 re: 2 MTC (Calbayog) by Rep. Sarmiento;

KB No. 4670 re: 1 RTC (Guthuingan, Negros Oriental) by Rep. Linkaichong;
HB No. 4708 re: 2 RTC (Parafiaque} by Rep. Olivarez;

HB No. 4719 re: 2 MTCC (Quezon) by Rep. Alcala;

HB No, 5839 re: § RTC and 5 MeTC (Pasay) by Rep. Calixto-Rubiano;

HB No. 6418 re: 4 MTC (Oriental Mindoro) by Rep. R. Umali; and,

HB No. S566 re: 2 MeTC and 5 RTC (Malabon} by Rep. J. Noel

PON AH wi

8. SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

After the appraval af the omnibus mation of Rep. Albano, the Chairman suspended tre
meeting of the Committee in order to give way to the joint meeting of the Committees cn
Justice and Government Reorganization. The meeting was suspended at 10:25 a.m.

C. CONTINUATION OF THE DELIBERATION ON THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS
MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2011 (House Bil! Nos. 197, 712, 2880, 4619, 4766, 5546,
5741 ond 5926, and House Resolution No, 1327)

The meeting of the Committee on Justice resumed at 10:45 a.m. upon the acjournmert of
the Joint meeting of the Committees on Justice and Government Reorganization. The



Chairman informed the members that the Committee conducted three (3) public hearings
with regard to the BuCor Madernization Act of 2011. These public hearings were held ir the
New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institutia~ for Wome- in
Mandaluyong City, and the twahig Prisor and Penat Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
The Chairman added that the next public hearing will be conducted either in the Sa
Oriental Mindoro or in the Davao Penal Colony in Davao del Sur.

Penal Colony it

After his preliminary remarks, the Chairman asked the resource persons about the status of
the “kubols” found in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). PSupt. Ramon Reyes answered that not
all of the “kubols” were demolished but were instead restructured wherein each “ku30i”
new houses five (5) inmates. These “kubols” are also now uniform structures. PSupt. Reyes
added that the “living-aut” privileges were abolished in response to the recammendat ans

of the members of the Committee during the public hearing held in the NBP.

The members of the Committee raised questions regarding the “kidnapping” incicent
involving Rolita Go last August. Deputy Director Rafael Ragos of the National Bureat. cf
Investigation (NBI) answered that the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection
Group {C1DG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are investigating the incident. However,
Dep. Dir. Ragos stated that the NBI tends to believe the theory of kidnapping, based on the
report submitted by the NBI to the DOJ. He also acknowledged the presence of a syndicate
inside the NBP compound which is involved in these so-called kidnapping incidents

Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil requested that the BuCor submit to the Committee a copy of “he
report of the DO! regarding the review of the rules and regulations of the Cor. BuCor

Administrator Manuel Co agreed to the request af Rep. Bataoil.

Sought for comments on the proposed BuCor Modernization Bill, Dr. Renante Basas of the
Commission or Human Rights (CHR) expressed his support to the bill, adding that the
modernization of the BuCor will help the Phifippines meet the UN standards on ni

treatment of prisoners. He also stressed the importance of a human rights-based appre:

to prison management.

Asked by the Chairman whether there is 2 need to centralize the jails and penal facilities
under the separate jurisdictions of the BuCor, Bureau of Jail Management and Penolog,
and provincial jails, Administrator Co replied that a single jail system might be feasibie,
under a Department of Corrections. However, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Presic's
Acosta expressed her reservations to such a proposal, claiming that centralization might b=
difficult on che management of inmates and detainees. Instead, PAG Chief Acosta propose 4

‘that the only alternative is to strengthen the BuCar.

Atter the above ciscussions, the Chairman instructed zhe BuCar to submit to the Commi
withir one week a report on the various issues raised curing the mecting, including 1
“kuboi” system”, 2.) living-out privileges, 3.) illegal drugs, 4.) prostitution, 5) krdnappins

and 6.; guns-for-hire,


to

Rea. David Kha moved that a Technical Working Group (TWG) be created in ar:
consolidate all the bills on the modernization of the BuCor. The motion was diily seccnded
by Rep. Bataoil, and there being no objection thereto, the motion was carried

(Vv. ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Tupas adjourned the meeting at 11:48 am,

Prepared by:
AENE A. DELORINO
Supervising Legislative Staff Officer-t

©. Certiied Correct by:

—eencatsarechonans

Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

HON. NIEL C. TUPAS
Chpirman
Cammittee on Justice