Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._2709

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Katarungang Pambarangay or the barangay justice system sought to promote the
speedy administration of justice at the barangay level, thereby giving official recognition to
the time-honored tradition of amicably settling disputes at the barangay level.

Republic Act No. 7160 (RA 7160), otherwise known as The Local Government Code
of 1991 (LGC), expanded the cases covered by the Katarungang Pambarangay, thereby
increasing the authority of the lupon to settle criminal offenses from those punishable by
imprisonment not exceeding thirty (30) days or a fine not exceeding Two Hundred Pesos
(P200.00) in PD 1508! to those criminal offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding
one (1) year or a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (PS,000.00).

For the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) Law to fully achieve its laudable objectives of
delivering a speedy administration of justice at the barangay level, it is imperative to revisit
the provisions of the KP Law by expanding the jurisdiction of the Katarungang Pambarangay
to specifically cover those cases which have been reported as prevalent in the barangay but are
not within the authority of the lupon. This measure therefore ensures that the quality of justice
at the grassroots level is enhanced

itis, thus, prayed that the bill would meet the expeditious approval of this Chamber.

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we W Aare CUARESMA

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._2728

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE KATARUNGANG
PAMBARANGAY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

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

SECTION 1. Section 408 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 408. A. Subject Matter for Amicable Settlement; Exception Thereto.
= The lupon of each barangay shall have authority to bring together the parties
actually residing in the same city or municipality for amicable settlement of all
disputes except:

(a) Where one party is the government, or any subdivision or instrumentality
thereof;

(b) Where one party is a public officer or employee, and the dispute relates to
the performance of his official functions;

(c) Offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one (1) year or a fine
exceeding Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00);

(d) Offenses where there is no private offended party;

(c) Where the dispute involves real properties located in different cities or
municipalities unless the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to
amicable settlement by an appropriate lupon;

(£) Disputes involving parties who actually reside in barangays of different cities
or municipalities, except where such barangay units adjoin each other and the
parties thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable settlement by an
appropriate lupon;


(g) Such other classes of disputes which the President may determine in the
interest of justice or upon the recommendation of the Secretary of Justice. The
court in which non-criminal cases not falling within the authority of the lupon
under this Code are filed may, at any time before trial, motu proprio refer the
case to the lupon concemed for amicable settlement.

B. SECTION 408.A.(c) NOTWITHSTANDING, THE LUPON OF
EACH BARANGAY SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO AMICABLY
SETTLE DISPUTES ARISING FROM THE COMMISSION OF THE
FOLLOWING CRIMES, REGARDLESS OF THE IMPOSABLE
PENALTIES OR FINES:

(a) GRAVE SCANDAL;

(b) QUALIFIED TRESPASS TO DWELLING;

(©) OTHER FORMS OF TRESPAS:

(d) GRAVE THREATS;

(e) LIGHT THREATS;

() OTHER LIGHT THREATS;

(g) GRAVE COERCIONS;

(h) LIGHT COERCIONS;

() OTHER SIMILAR COERCIONS;

@ DISCOVERING SECRETS THROUGH SEIZURE OF
CORRESPONDENCE;

(k) THEFT;

@ QUALIFIED THEFT;

(m) SWINDLING (ESTAFA);

(n) B.P. 22

(0) FENCING (P.D. 1612);

(p) MALICIOUS MISCHIEF;

(q) OTHER MISCHIEFS;

(x) LIBEL;

(s) SLANDER;

(t) SLANDER BY DEED;

(u) ADULTERY;

(v) CONCUBINAGE;

(w) ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS;

(x) SIMPLE SEDUCTION; AND

(y) ACTS OF LASCIVIOUSNESS WITH THE CONSENT OF THE
OFFENDED PARTY.

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of
instruction, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,