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

20" CONGRESS
Ist Regular Session

nouse auino.3979

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT
CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT (MTC) IN THE TWELFTH
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SULTAN KUDARAT, PROVINCE OF
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create an additional branch of the Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in the Twelfth Judicial
Region, to be stationed at the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, Province of Maguindanao del Norte.

Article Ill of the 1987 Constitution is clear on equal protection of the law, free access to the courts,
quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance; and the right to a speedy disposition of their
cases, however the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, the capital of the Province of Maguindanao del
Norte has only one (1) branch of the Municipal Trial Court.

The continuing increase in population with the resulting rise in the volume of cases brought before the
court, caused incessant delays in the administration of justice and resolution of cases.

In line with the spirit and intent of Sections 11 and 16, Article Ill of the 1987 Constitution, and ease
the burden faced by litigants and residents who seek relief from the courts, the creation of an
additional branch of the Municipal Trial Court in the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat is imperative and
long overdue.

Let us be reminded that the well-accepted legal maxim, “Justice delayed is justice denied” means that
if legal rectification or equitable relief to an injured party exists, but is rendered unavailable in a timely
fashion, itis effectively the same as having no remedy at all.

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

Maguindanao del Norte, Lone District


Republic of the PI
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
{Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS
Ist Regular Session

nouse suino. 3979

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT

CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT (MTC) IN THE TWELFTH
JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF SULTAN KUDARAT, PROVINCE OF
MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED.

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

SECTION 1. One (1) additional branch of the Municipal Trial Court in the Twelfth Judicial Region is
hereby created and stationed in the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, Province of Maguindanao del
Norte.

‘The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the additional branch of the Municipal Trial
Court

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 the
newly-created branch of the Municipal Trial Court in the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, Province of
‘Maguindanao del Norte.

SEC. 3. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including appropriations for
personnel services such as salaries, benefits and emoluments for judges and court personnel, court
‘operations under maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and provisions for Halls of
Justice or courtrooms to accommodate judges and court staff, shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4, Section 30 of Batas Pambansa Big. 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 fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or ina
newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,