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

EIGHTEENTH (18") CONGRESS
15 Regular Session

4063
HOUSE BILLNO.—*

Introduced by Hon. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In philosophical terms, justice could be defined as “The first virtue of social
institutions, as truth is of systems of thought” (Rawls, 1973). At its very core, justice
serves as the prevailing fundamental force that upholds the inherent standards of
“just” behavior within the society. As a result, contemporary societies in turn would
benefit from the ubiquitous quest for justice by embracing the notion that societies
in its entirety should reap the benefits of the political, social and economic
ecosystem equally and no person nor group should have greater benefits than the
other.

However, while acknowledging the fact that justice plays a vital role in
contemporary societies, the Philippines has been accosted with various factors
such as cost, accessibility and immense number of cases that have greatly affected
the country’s capability to deliver justices for its citizens.

To put things into perspective, the First Legislative District of Zamboanga
Sibugay only has one Regional Trial Court (RTC) located within the Municipality of
Imelda while the Second Legislative District has four (4). As a result, the existing
judicial court within the first district is then confronted with massive congestions,
a far cry from the 300 cases recommended by the Supreme Court,as well as delays
which highly impedes the district’s capabilities to respond and deliver justice for its
people.


In light of this, this bill seeks to create three (3) new courts within the First
District of Zamboanga Sibugay to be stationed in the Municipality of Diplahan,
amending for the purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as the
“Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1981” and appropriating funds therefor. Of the
three (3) new branches of RTCs that are to be created, one has to be a Family Court
while the other two (2) shall serve as courts of general jurisdiction.

In essence, the creation of these courts would greatly ease the burden of the
existing court as well as address the people’s need for justice that have accosted
them for so long.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passing of this bill is earnestly
sought.

ol ~

/. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II
1* District, Zamboanga Sibugay



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

EIGHTEENTH (18") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4063

Introduced by HON. WILTER “SHARKY” WEE PALMA II

AN ACT

CREATING THREE (3) NEW COURTS, NAMELY: ONE (1) FAMILY COURT AND TWO
(2) BRANCHES OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, ALL IN THE 1° DISTRICT OF
ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 1. One (1) Family Court and two (2) branches of Regional Trial Court,
with seats at the Municipality of Diplahan, are hereby created in the Ninth Judicial
Region.

SEC 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number for the newly
created branches.

SEC 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 implementation of this Act. The amount necessary for the creation


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and the continuous funding therefore shall likewise be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC 4. Section 14 (j) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The
Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, as well as other provisions that
may be inconsistent herewith, are hereby deemed repealed, modified and/or
further amended.

SEC 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after completion of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,