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Quezon City, Metro Manila + TIME

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2659

Introduced by Representative Antonio “Ony” A. Ferrer

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create one (1) additional branch of Municipal Trial Court
in Cities (MTCC) in the Fourth Judicial Region to be stationed in the City of
General Trias, Province of Cavite, and appropriating funds therefor, amending for
the purpose Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as The
Judiciary Reorganization Act Of 1980!'as amended

As provided in Republic Act No. 10675, also known as the “Charter of the
City of General Trias” the city has only one MTCC, classified as a single sala
court. The current single sala court is increasingly overburdened due to
population growth, urban development, and rising number of cases.

General Trias has transitioned from a municipality to a component city,
with growing commercial and residential zones, which is often correlated with
increasing civil, criminal, and administrative cases. Based on 2020 Census, Imus
City with a population of 496,794 has two (2) MTCCs, while Bacoor City with a
population of 664,625 has three (3) MTCCs. Given General Trias City’s rapid
urbanization and population growth, with over 450,000 residents, a second sala
court is warranted. A second MTCC will enhance judicial efficiency and improve
access to justice in this fast-growing component city.

The establishment of another MTCC branch is not merely a response to
growth, it is a constitutional imperative to ensure speedy, fair, and efficient
justice. General Trias, a city rising in economic and demographic prominence,
deserves a judiciary that matches its momentum. Moreover, under the Judiciary


Reorganization Act, cities with large populations and increasing legal disputes
may qualify for additional salas.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

sought.

ANTONIO “ONY” A. FERRER


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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.___2659

Introduced by Representative Antonio “Ony” A. Ferrer

AN ACT

CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURT IN CITIES IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED IN THE CITY OF GENERAL TRIAS, PROVINCE OF
CAVITE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT
OF 1980;'4S AMENDED

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

SECTION 1. An additional one (1) branch of the Municipal Trial Court in
Cities (MTCC) in the Fourth Judicial Region is hereby created and stationed in
the City of General Trias, Province of Cavite.

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number for the newly created
branch of the MTCC.

SEC. 2. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination with the
Secretary of Justice, shall immediately include in the Court's program the
operationalization of the additional branch of the MTCC in the City of General
Trias, Province of Cavite.

The Supreme Court shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the

effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 3. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including
appropriations for personnel services such as salaries, benefits and emoluments
for the judge and court personnel, court operations under maintenance and other
operating expenses (MOOE), and provision courtroom to accommodate the judge
and court staff, as well as funds necessary for the implementation of
automatically-created prosecutor positions pursuant to Section 13 of Republic
Act No. 10071, or the "Prosecution Service Act of 2010", and appointment of
public attorney pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act No. 9406, , resulting from
the creation of this court, including appropriations for personnel services such as
salaries, benefits, and emoluments for the prosecutor and public attorney, shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The funds necessary for the operation of the courts herein created shall be
appropriated and released only upon the actual organization of the court and the
appointment of its personnel.

SEC. 4. Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 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. 5. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,