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

CEIVED

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS omre15.AUG_ 2013

First Regular Session ‘

House Bill No. 249

Introduced by Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the
name of the state. It provides a mechanism for the resolution of the disputes,
adjudication of cases and the granting of reliefs as law and justice may require
affording the people the peace and order they deserve.

As our nation progresses, and in its process of growth and development,
various opportunities and challenges arise concomitant with the emergence of novel,
unique and different ideas and the coming into view of diverse opinions as well
Consequently, the development of a nation is not without its flaws. Inasmuch as
opposing ideas and opinions are respected and encouraged, adversarial
occurrences are inevitable, hence, the creation of trial courts is mandated

At the beginning of 2013, there were a total of 6,398 pending cases and in a
span of 6 months 317 cases were disposed. On the other hand, 259 cases were also
added within the same duration. As of June of the same year, there are a total of
7,491 pending cases in all 14 Regional Trial Courts in Bacolod City. This leaves a
rough estimate of 14.6% accumulation rate as against the completion rate which is
about 4.9%. Thus, the obtaining circumstances will be that more cases are stocked
in file than cases dismissed, needing an increase in the number of trial courts. It is
most favorable to the people of Bacolod City, in particular, and to the administration
of justice, in general, that the increase in the number of subject courts will obviously
declag the judicial dockets.

As such, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought

Au

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City



Row N

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo. 2499

INTRODUCED BY Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF BACOLOD, AMENDING FOR THIS
PURPOSE SEC. 14 PARAGRAPH (G) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,
AS AMENDED BY SEC. 7 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7154, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Section 14, paragraph (g) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129,
otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended by
Republic Act No. 714 in particular Section 7 thereof, is hereby further amended to

read as follows.

Section 7. Section 14, paragraph (g) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise
known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1981, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

"(g)_ [Sixty-Nine] SEVENTY-TWO Regional Trial Judges shall be
commissioned for the Sixth Judicial Region. There shall be:
“XXX
“XXX

XXX

XXX


24

Page 2

“[Fwenty-five] TWENTY-EIGHT branches with seats thereat for the
Province of Negros Occidental and the Cities of Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz,
La Carlota, San Carlos and Silay, with seats at Silay City, Bacolod City,
Himamaylan, San Carlos City, Cadiz City, Kabankalan, Bago City, La
Carlota City, and Sipalay.”

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-created
branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Sixth 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 three (3) additional branches of Regional Trial
Court to be stationed at the City of Bacolod, the funding of which shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act. The funds necessary for the operation of the
Court(s) herein created shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual
organization of the Court(s) and the appointment of its personnel

SEC. 3. 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,