Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

~ORAQ
COMMITTEE REPORT NO. ___~

Submitted by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations on

——— 18 DEC 2012

Gre

Re: House Bill No. __

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 3535

Sponsors:

Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, and Irvin M.
Alcala

Mr, Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was

referred House Bill No. 55

la , entitled

, introduced by Representative Irvin M. Alc.

“AN ACT

CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON,
FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA
BILANG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980", AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’

have considered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No. _
entitled:

6778


‘AN ACT.

CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON,
FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (E), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR’

be approved in substitution of House BjlNo. 5535 with Representatives Irvin M

Alcala, Niel C. Tupas, Jr, and pai kaichong, as authors thereof
Da Respectfully submitted,

y

JOCELYN s(t HONG /| ly ELC. TUP,

Chairperson Ghairman
Committee on Appropriations Committee on Justice

The Honorable
The Speaker
House of Representatives
Quezon City


6

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

6778

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by Representatives Irvin M. Alcala, Niel and Jocelyn

S, Limkaichong,

AN ACT
CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED
AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (E), OF

KNOWN AS THE
AS AMENDED, AND

BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERW
“JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’

ouse of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled

SECTION 1. Two (2) additional Regional Trial Court branches for
Lucena City, Quezon, with seats thereat, are hereby created in the Fourth
Judicial Region.

The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch numbers for the
newly-created branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Fourth 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 two additional branches of the
Regional Trial Court in Lucena City, the funding of which shall be included in

the Annual General Appropriations Act.


6

SEC. 3. Section 14 (e) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 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.

after its complete

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) da
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines

HOUE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO

‘ATIVE IRVIN M. ALCALA

Introduced by REPRESE}

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bill proposes the creation of two additional branches of the Regional Trial
Court in the Fourth Judicial Region to be stationed at the City of Lucena, Province of
Quezon for the purpose of easing the burden of resolving cases under the jurisdiction
of the 4" Judicial Region.

Section 16, Article 111 of our Constitution gives each person the right to a
speedy trial, it provides that: “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition
of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (BP 129) allotted the corresponding
number of courts per judicial region based on the exigencies existing at that time.

‘Twenty years have passed since the effectivity of BP 129.

Because of the increase in our population and the increase in the volume of
cases filed, our court dockets have been clogged and this has resulted in the delay in
the resolution cases,

In order to improve the disposition and administration of justice and to ensure
the right to a speedy trial, the number of courts must necessarily be increased.

In view of the forgoing provi
recommended.

ions, the approval of this bill is earnestly

|. ALCALA.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE IRVIN M. ALCALA

AN ACT.
CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BR. OF THE RE!
THE FOURTH JUDICIAL RE TO BE
OF LUCENA, PROV
FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBAN'
KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGAN!
AMENDED, AND APPROPRI

SIONAL TRIAL

AMENDING
OTHERWISE
OF 1980,” AS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
Congress assembled:

esentatives of the Philippines in

SECTION 1. Two (2) additional Regional Trial Court branches for Lucena
City, Quezon, with seats thereat, are hereby created in the Fourth Judicial Region.

CTION 2. The Sup
ly created branches

e Court shall as:

nn the respective branch numbers

for the ne’

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

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

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

Approved,


November 20, 2012

_, Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metra Manila

HON. NIEL C. TUPAS, JR.
Chairperson
Committee on Justice

Dear Chairperson Tupas:

Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at
Conference Rooms 3 and 4, Ramon V. Mitra Building, approved to report out the

following bills.

4.

Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 182 and 183, titled “AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO (2)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES FOR THE
PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECA TO BE STATIONED IN SAN JOSE CITY (2), THE
SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ (2), AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29, AND SECTION 30 OF
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 7980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR",

titled "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TO BE
STATIONED IN SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC.
14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 899, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE
STATIONED IN DANAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (4) OF SATAS PAMBANSA BLG 729 AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “JUDICI REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS: R’

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 7!

Ri

and 1423, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN
ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN
CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO 8E STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos,



PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF “880, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,
Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 1906, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL TO 8& STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (K) OF SATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUCIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
4980" AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR"

‘Subshtute Bill to House Bil! No. 4988, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG,
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No. 5341, titled "AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE STATIONED (2)
AT THE CITY OF MALAYBALAY AND (1) AT THE CITY OF VALENCIA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION FOURTEEN (14), PARAGRAPH (Kk), OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR’

House Bil! No 5235, ttied "AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF
THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5583, tiled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE SIGHT JUDICIAL REGION TO
BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR
IE PURPOSE SECTION 14. PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS

AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No. 5587, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWENTY-TWO (22) ADDITIONAL.
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
JUDICIAL REGION FOR QUEZON CITY, WITH SEATS THEREAT, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1880," AS AMENDED, AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR"

‘AN ACT CREATING FOURTEEN (14)

ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND SEVEN (7)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT FOR THE PROVINCE,
OF TARLAC, TO BE STATIONED AT TARLAC CITY AND AT THE MUNICIPALITIES
OF PANIQUI, CAPAS, CAMILING, VICTORIA-LA PAZ, CONCEPCION, STA. IGNACIO-
SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERONA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 74, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29 AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 729, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY

Substitute Bill to House Bil) No. 583:



AB.

14,

45.

16,

47.

48.

19

REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980' AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR®

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2306, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN.
AS THE JUDICIARY REORG) TION ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 3372, fitled “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF CALBAYOG, PROVINCE OF WESTERN
SAMAR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980!
‘AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2958, titled "AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA, TO BE
STATIONED IN CAUAYAN CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (8) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR”,

House Bill No. 4670, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG, 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR’,

‘Substitute Bill to House Sill No. 4708, tied “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PARANAQUE CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (0) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS.
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4719, titled "AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES (MTCC) IN THE
PROVINCE OF QUEZON TO BE STATIONED AT LUCENA CITY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN,
AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND.

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’

Substitute Bill to House Bill No, 5566, titled "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL,
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES
OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MALABON CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5839, tied "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (6) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL



TONED IN PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA,
(D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS
#E JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
TING FUNDS THEREFOR”, and

TO BE Si

REGION,

JUDICIAL

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. $418, tilted "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGAS: AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF
BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA AND MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO, AMENOING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (E) AND
TION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REO! IZATION F 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THE!

OR"
with omnibus amendment to the proposed appropriations provisions as follows:

Delete the last sentence which reads as follows:

THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE COURT HEREIN
CREATED SHALL BI *PROPRIATED AND RELEASED ONLY UPON THE
ACTUAL ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT AND THE APPOINTMENT OF
ITS PERSONNEL.

It was also moved that the title of House Bill No. $837 be amended to reflect the correct
from STA. IGNACIO — SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND
IGNACIA — MONCADA AND GERONA.
Very truly yo ~)

“ta Zp

i
sooner Hea acs

Chairperson | O-~
Committee on Appropriations

name of the pla
GERONA TO S

Josech Gibert F. Viotaga
‘Artura 8. Robes

Ramon ‘Red H. Durano Vi
Antonio F. Lagdameo,
‘Yevgeny Vincent B. Emano
Linabelle Ruth R. Varia

Napoleon 5. Dy
Eqwn L. Ofvarez

Reynaldo V. Uma


She

the.
Sap

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 14 AUGUST
2012 AT CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. 9 & 10, RV. MITRA BLDG, HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

INVITED GUESTS / RESOURCE PERSONS:

DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR ANTONIO E!
ADMINISTRATOR, SUPREME COURT (QCA-SC)
P/C. SUPT. CHRISTOPHER LAXA — PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP)
ATTY. ARNALDO DIZON ~ PRESIDENT, INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES ~ TARLAC
MR. JOHN MANALASTAS — ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, NEWS PRODUCTION ~ GMA 7

ATTY. ROY IBAY — SMART/SUN CELLULAR

ATTY. MICHAEL URETA ~ PLOT
ATTY. ALEXANDER GOZON — GLOBE TELECOM

IGENIO, JR. - OFFICE OF THE COURT

1. Call to Order:
Hon. Niel C. Tupas, Jr, Chairman of the Committee on Justice, called the meeting to order at
10:00 am.

W. Roll Call:
Upon the duly seconded motion of Hon. Lucy Gomez, the roll call was dispensed with,

I), Preliminary Remarks:

‘After acknowledging the presence of some House members in the meeting, Hon. Tupas informed
the body that the first part of the meeting's agenda will deal with House Bills on the Creation of Court
Salas and those proposing an Anti-Stalking Act Thereafter, he said the Justice Committee will
‘adjourn and reconvene to meet in a joint meeting with the Committee on Government Reorganization
to deliberate on the measures regarding the Otfice of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC),

IV. Deliberation Proper:
A. Creation of Additional Court Salas:
The following measures seek to create additional court salas, to wit:
* HB No, 182 re: 2 RTC/2 MTC ( San Jose City, Nueva Ecija) by Rep. J. Violago
HB No, 183 re: 2RTC (Science City of Mufioz and Rizal - Nueva Ecija)

by Rep. J. Violago
750 re: 1 RTC (San Jose Dei Monte City, Bulacan) by Rep. A Robes.

+ HB No.
+ HB No, 899 re: 1 RTC (Dano City, Cebu) by Rep. R. Durano
+ HB No, 1422 re: 1MTC (Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte) by Rep. A. Lagdameo
* HB No, 1423 re: 1 RTC (Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte )
by Rep A Lagdameo
+ HB No. 1906 re: 1 RTC (Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental) by Rep.Y. Emano
+ HB No, 4968 re: 1 RTC (Meycauayan, Bulacan) by Rep. L. Villanca
+ HB No, 5341 re: 3 RTC (Malaybalay and Valencia, Bukidnon) by Rep. F
+ HB No. 5535 re: 2 RTC (Lucena City, Quezon) by Rep. |. Alcala
+ HB No, 5583 re: 1 RTC (Ormoc City, Leyte) by Rep. L. Gomez
‘+ HB No. 5597 re: 22 MTC (Quezon City, Metra Manila) by Rep. J. Banal
+ HB No. 8837 te: 14 RTC & 7 MTC (Tarlac City, Paniqui, Capas, Camiling, Concepcion,

San Clemente, Moncada & Gerona - Tarlac) by Reps. E.

Victona-La Paz, Sta. Ignacio-
Cojuangeo and S. Yap

Upon observing that many of the authors were not present fo sponsor their respective measures,
the Chair nonetheless said that he wil relax the Committee's policy that only those bills, whose



authors are present, will be taken up since this meeting was the first after the impeachment hearings.
He requested Justice Antonio Eugenio. Jr, Deputy Court Administrator of the Supreme Court, to

‘comment on the proposals for the creation of additional court salas.

‘The Deputy Court Administrator said that legisiative measures seeking to create new courts are
always welcome and added that the basis of the number of court sales proposed to be created was
the recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). Asked by the Chair if the
proposal under House Bill No. 5597, authored by Hon. Jorge Banal, for the creation of 22 additional
‘Municipal Trial Court (MTC) branches was recommended by the OCA, Justice Eugenio answered in
the affirmative.

Meanwhile, Hon. Susan Yap, one of the authors of HB No. 5837, gave her sponsorship speech
Where she emphasized the urgent need to create additional court salas in her area because of the
huge backlog of cases in the courts’ docket. Her statement was backed up by Mr. Arnaldo Dizon,
President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (I8P) ~Tarlac, who said that upon coordination with
the judges of Tarlac, there is a backlog of 8,000 cases still pending in the courts.

Upon hearing this, Justice Eugenio commented that the ideal caseload target is 300 cases for the
RTCs and 500 cases for the MTCs. Given the huge number of cases in the Tarlac courts, he said the
creation of new cours is imperative,

For her par, Hon. Gomez, author of HB No. $582, said that her bill seeks the creation of an
additional RTC branch in Ormeo, Leyte in order to decongest the dockets of the 2 existing RTC
branches. She stressed that these 2 branches, Branch 12 and Branch 235, have a caseload of 774
and 769 cases, respectively

Similarly, Hon. Linabelle Ruth Vilarica, author of HB No, 4968, proposed for the creation of an
additional RTC branch in Meycauayan, Bulacan citing the 12,330 cases pending in the courts’ dockets
as the basis for such proposal. She added that while the seat of the proposed new branch wil be in
Meycauauyan, the court wil service the judicial needs of 4 other towns in Bulacan.

‘After the 3 authors made their sponsorship speeches and responded to some queries, Hon.
‘Gomez moved for the omnibus approval of all the bills proposing for the creation of additional court
salas which was duly seconded by Hon, David Kho. The motion was carried.

Hon. Yap manifested that an amendment be made in her bill, providing for 1 RTC branch each for
Capas and Concepcion, Tarlac.

In reply to the inquiry of Hon. Villarica regarding the budget for the creation of the new court salas,
the Chair explained the process involved in considering the funcing provisions of bills proposing the
same. He however emphasized that usually, itis up to the bills author to follow up the funding but
added that there are sufficient funds for the creation of necessary court salas. He also added that in
similar bills approved by the Senate earlier on, the upper chamber introduced an amendment to the
funding provision of court sala bills which provides that “funds necessary for the operation of the
newly-created court shall be appropriated and released only upen the actual organization of the court

and appointment of its personnel.”

B. Anti— Stalking Act:

The Committee next deliberated on HB Nos. 3367, 5099 and 6174 respectively authored: by
Hons, Salvador Escudero Ill, Diosdado Arroyo and Irwin Tieng, proposing an Anti — Stalking Act.

Before giving the floor to Hon. Tieng, the Chair reminded the guests and resource persons to
attend the Committee's meetings when invited to, otherwise, a subpoena may be issued to compel
their attendance to the meeting The Chair gave this stem reminder after he was informed that there
Wwas no representative from the National Bureau of investigation (NB!) to attend the meeting despite

being sent an invitation,


cry note will serve as his sponsorship
committee may propose for his

For his part Hen. Tie
sch and acded that he is open to any ar
sure

Ciling the Anti-Stalking laws of the United States, the Chair mentioned that the enactment of said
Jaws in that country were fairy recent and was brougnt about as 2 result of the death of a celebrity
Rebecca Schaeffer, who was stalked anc kiled ay her assailant In the Philippines, however. he said
there is yet no law on stalking and only a civil action for camages under Article 26 of the Civil Code is

What is applicable in the country

‘The Chair asked Hon, Tieng if his bill will apply tc media men who may, through a series of acts
such as repeated texting, e-mails, phone calls cause emotional stress to the person they are
the court fines thal the senes af acts cause untoward stress

covering. In response, Hon. Tieng said
on the person, then the court may issue a protection orcer ecainst them

‘Asked for his comments, Deputy Court Administrator Eugenio opined that if the stalking undertaken
by the media is legitimate, will the bill not contravene freedom of the press? A similar sentiment was
expressed by Atty Alexander Gozon of Glabe who said the measure may be construed as a restraint

on the freedom of expression

Admitting that they perform the acts mentioned by the Chair. Mr. John Manalastas, assistant vice
president of GMA 7's news production nonetheless asked if the work of media men can be an
‘exception. The Chair assured him in such a case, 's of media practitioners will be protected,

Atty. Roy Ibay of Smart/Sun Cellular said tnat they are only responsible for the sending and
receiving of the message and do nol have any part in the content which passes through the system.

Meanwhile, P/C. Supt. Christopher Laxe of the Philippine Naticnal Police expressed the agency's
support for the measure and informed the body that they filed cases similar to stalking but were only
Classified as unjust vexation. He added that the PNP had also entertained 10 cases of cyberstalking

‘After the discussions, Hon. David Kho made a motion for the approval of the measures and for the
Greation of a technical working group that will consciicate the 3 bills. The motion was carried and the
Chair announced that the bills were approved in principle, subject to amendment and consolidation by
a technical working group to be composed of the authors of tne 3 bills, Hon. Kho, representatives of

the DOJ, PNP, NBI, and the media sector.

V. Adjournment:

‘The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

ATTY. NARCISA H. GUEVARRA JA
Committee Secretary
Committee an Justice

Committee on Justice