Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" Congress
Third Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

FOR a THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
FOR OPERATIONS

ATTENTION: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PLENARY AFFAIRS BUREAU
THE SERVICE DIRECTOR
BILLS & INDEX SERVICE. -

FROM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL FOR
COMMITTEE AFFAIRS

SUBJECT COMMITTEE REPORT No._2064

RE: Additional Court Salas

We are respegtfully transrpittjng herewith six (6) copies of the Committee Report
on House Bill No. 4 < " in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423,
entitled "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, AND A
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR.”

For your appropriate action

ATTY. ARLENE DADA-ARNALDO ~ ¢

=t


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:

‘Third Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

2564

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

Re: Housé Bill No._6797
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill Nos. 1422 & 1423

Sponsors: _ Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, and Antonio
F. Lagdameo, Jr.

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which were
referred House Bill No. 1422, introduced by Representative Antonio F. Lagdameo;
entitled:

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT
IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG
ISANG DAAN AT DALAWUP'T SIYAM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS.
THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’

and House Bill No. 1423, introduced by Represntative Antonio F. Lagdameo, entitled:
AN ACT

ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION,


AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE JUDICIARY ACT OF 1980, AS
AMENDED AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

have | consi

Be

idered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No.
, entitled:

ico

“AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (L), AND SECTION 30 OF
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Ze

be approved in substitution of HB Nos. 1422 and 1423 with Representatives
Antonio F. Lagdameo, Niel C. Tupas, Jr., and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong as
authors thereof. -

Respectfully submitted,

NIL C. TUPAS,
a fairperson
‘Committee on Appropriations Committee on Justice

The Honorable

The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL. No. 8797

Introduced by Representatives Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr., Niel C. Tupas, Jr., and Jocelyn
Limkaichong

AN ACT

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO.
TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA.
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. An additional Regional Trial Court branch with seat at the Island
Garden City of Samal and a Municipal Trial Court branch to be stationed in the
Municipality of Sto, Tomas, Davao del Norte, are hereby created in the Eleventh Judicial
Region

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly created branch of
the Regional Trial Court and Municipal Trial Court in the Eleventh 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 one (1) branch of the Regional Trial Court to be stationed in the

Island Garden City of Samal and one (1) Municipal Trial Court in the Municipality of


Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte, the funding of which shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Section 14 (1) and Section 30 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 otherwise
known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980” as amended, and all other laws,
rules and regulation 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,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House silino, 1422

Introduced by: HONORABLE ANTONIO F. LAGDAMEO, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Part of the Social Reform Agenda that the present administration is vigorously
pursuing is judicial reform. This reform must be able to address the clamor of the
constituents for an efficient and effective judiciary.

This bill seeks to create a Municipal Trial Court in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte,
which has a population of more than 85,000. At present, this municipality avails of the
services of a Municipal Circuit Trial Court in the distant Municipality of Carmen. Serving
these equally progressive and populous municipalities must have become a nightmare
to the judge of said court considering that year after year, cases submitted for his
consideration have grown by leaps and bounds resulting in backlogs of alarming
Proportion. As most these cases emanate from Sto. Tomas, complaints and litigants of
the locality have felt the sting of the cliché, “justice delayed, justice denied.” It is
therefore necessary to unload the heavy burden of this court if it were to resolve cases
speedily and impartially, and the only way to do this is through the creation of the
Municipal Trial Court in the above mentioned place and assigning permanent judge
thereto. Only then will the reform program be real to the people.

ANTONIO F. Ze IR.

Passage of this bill is thus urgently called for.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1422

HOUSE BILL NO.__~"

Introduced by HONORABLE ANTONIO F. LAGDAMEO, JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A BRANCH OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION THIRTY OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG ISANG
DAAN AT DALAWAMPU'T SIYAM, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Section 30 of Batasa Pambansa Bilang 129 is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 30. Municipal Trial Court, In each of the municipalities that are not
comprised within a metropolitan circuit there shall be a Municipal Trial Court
which shall have one branch, except as hereunder provided:”

ONE (1) BRANCH FOR STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE

ere

SECTION 2. The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall
be charged to the appropriations of the Supreme Court of the Philippines under the
Current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, all such sum as may be necessary
for the continued operations and maintenance of the said courts shall be included in
the annual appropriations.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon its approval

Approved.


\

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1423

HOUSE BILL NO..

Introduced by HONORABLE ANTONIO F. LAGDAMEO, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish an additional Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch in the Island
Garden City of Samal in the Province of Davao del Norte, hereby amending for the purpose
Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known as Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 and to
conform with the provisions of the same with the creation of Island Garden City of Samal and
Tagum City.

Created as a component city in 1998 by virtue of Republic Act No. 8417, the Island
Garden City of Samal serves as one of the major development centers for tourism, commerce
and governance in the Province.

As a result of thriving trade and commerce and continued population growth in the area,
more cases have been submitted for consideration at the nearest RTC branch situated in the
distant city of Panabo, Davao del Norte, further increasing the already voluminous number
being held and heard. This poses impossibility for a judge of said sala to resolve cases speedily
and without delay.

Moreover, residents of the Island Garden City of Samal who are litigants and witnesses
at RTC-Panabo have no choice but to take an hour-long trip by boat and land transportation.
This burden is tantamount to denying them close access to justice.

In View of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is urgently sought.

Ane


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1423

Introduced by HONORABLE ANTONIO F. LAGDAMEO, JR.

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE THE JUDICIARY ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1: Section 14 of Batas Pambansa Bilang Isang Daan at Dalawampu't
Siyam, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended, is
hereby further amended to read as follows:

“(1) [Forty One] FORTY TWO Regional Trial Court Judges shall be commissioned for the
Eleventh Judicial Region. There shail be:

Xxx

[Six] SEVEN branches with seats thereat for the Province of Davao
del Norte AND THE ISLAND GARDEN CITY OF SAMAL AND THE
CITY OF TAGUM, with seats at ISLAND GARDEN CITY

OF SAMAL, CITY of Tagum and Panabo.


SECTION 2: The Supreme Court shall assign the additional branch of the Regional Trial
Court in the Island Garden City of Samal and the corresponding number in accordance with this
Act.

SECTION 3: The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act as determined
by the Supreme Court is hereby Authorized to be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval,

Approved.


Repco Bhp
House of Race ctatiaes

Quezon City, Metro Mails

November 20, 2012 i W 24 HOS p99

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

Dear Chairperson Tapas:

Please be informed thatthe 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:

‘1, Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 182 and 183, tiled "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 ECIJA 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 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR’,

_2. Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 750, 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.

44, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE.

KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR";

+8. 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 (H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND.
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR,

“|4e Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN
ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN
CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE


710.

PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (1) AND SECTION 30 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. 1906, titled "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (k) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS.
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4968, titled "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 (K), OF BATAS
PAMBANSA  BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR’;

House Bill No, 5335, titled "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’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5583, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION TO.
BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (1) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”:

House Bill No. 5597, tied “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 BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,’ AS AMENDED, AND’
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5837, titled “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 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29 AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 128, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY


AB.

14

16.

16,

47:

18.

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 REORGANIZATION ACT OF. 1980 AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR";

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 3372, titled “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, titied “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. 4870, tiled “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 Bill No. 4708, titled “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. 47189, 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, titied “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (6) 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, titled "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE “(5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL


JUDICIAL REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PASAY 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”, and

20. Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 6418, tilted "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG, 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, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 74 (E) AND
SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE:
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,-AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR"
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 BE APPROPRIATED 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. 5837 be amended to reflect the correct

name of the place from STA. IGNACIO —- SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND
GERONA TO STA. IGNACIA - SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERONA.

Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations

cc: Rep. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago
Rep. Arturo 8. Robes:
Rep. Ramon *Red” H. Durano VI
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr.
Rep. Yevgeny Vincent B. Emano-
Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Vilariea
Rep. Florencio T. Flores, Jr.
Rep. trvin M. Alcala
Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez
Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal
Rep. Enrique M. Cojuangto
Rep. Susan A. Yap
Rep. Godlfredo V. Arquiza
Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento
Rep. Napoleon S. Dy
Rep. Edwin L. Olvarez
Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noe!
Rep. Imelda Calnto-Rubiano
Rep. Reynaldo V. Uma


she

the,
5 ap

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 14 AUGUST
2012 AT CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. 9 & 10, R.V. MITRA BLDG, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

INVITED GUESTS / RESOURCE PERSONS:

DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR ANTONIO EUGENIO, JR. - OFFICE OF THE COURT
ADMINISTRATOR, SUPREME COURT (OCA-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 — SMARTI/SUN CELLULAR,

ATTY. MICHAEL URETA — PLOT

ATTY. ALEXANDER GOZON ~ GLOBE TELECOM

1. Call to Order:

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

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

IN. 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 Office 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 Edija) by Rep. J. Violago
HB No. 183 re: 2RTC (Science City of Mufioz and Rizal - Nueva Ecija)

by Rep. J. Violago
HB No. 750 re: 1 RTC (San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan) by Rep. A. Robes
HB No. 899re: 1 RTC (Danao 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: RTC (Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental) by Rep.Y. Emano
HB No. 4968 re: 1 RTC (Meycauayan, Bulacan) by Rep. L. Villarica
HB No. 5341 re: 3 RTC (Malaybalay and Valencia, Bukidnon) by Rep. F. Flores
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, Metro Manila) by Rep. J. Banal
HB No, 5837 re: 14 RTC & 7 MTC (Tarlac City, Paniqui, Capas, Camiling, Concepcion,
Victotia-La Paz, Sta. Ignacio-San Clemente, Moncada & Gerona - Tarlac) by Reps. E.
Cojuangco and S: Yap

Upon observing that many of the authors were not present to sponsor their respective measures,
the Chair nonetheless said that he will 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 legislative measures seeking to create new courts are
always welcome and added that the basis of the number of court salas 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. Amaldo Dizon,
President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (BP) —Tarlac, who said that upon coordination with
the judges of Tarlac, there is @ backlog of 6,000 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 courts is imperative.

For her part, Hon. Gomez, author of HB No. 5583, said that her bill seeks the creation of an
additional RTC branch in Ormoc, 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 Villarica, 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 will be in
Meycauauyan, the court will 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
alas 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 funding provisions of bills proposing the
same. He however emphasized that usually, itis up to the bill's 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 upon 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 6114 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
atiend the Committee's meetings when invited to, otherwise, a subpoena may be issued to compel
their attendance to the meeting. The Chait gave this stem reminder after he was informed that there
‘was no representative from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to attend the meeting despite
being sent an invitation.


For his part Hon. Tieng manifested that his bill's explanatory note will serve as his sponsorship
speech and added that he is open to any amendments that the Committee may propose for his
measure.

Citing the Anti-Stalking laws of the United States, the Chair mentioned thet the enactment of said
laws in that country were fairly recent and was brought about as a result of the death of a celebrity,
Rebecea Schaeffer, who was stalked and killed by her assailant. in the Philippines, however, he said
there is yet no law on stalking and only a civil action for damages under Article 26 of the Civil Code is

What is applicable in the country.

The Chair asked Hon. Tieng if his bill will apply to 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
‘covering. In response, Hon. Tieng said if the court finds that the series of acts cause untoward stress
‘on the person, then the court may issue a protection order against 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 Globe 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, the rights of media practitioners will be protected.

Atty. Roy Ibay of Smart/Sun Cellular said that they are only responsible for the sending and
receiving of the message and do not have any part in the content which passes through the system.

Meanwhile, P/C. Supt. Christopher Laxa of the Philippine National 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,

—Atter the discussions, Hon. David Kho made a motion for the approval of the measures and for the
creation of a technical working group that will consolidate 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 the 3 bills, Hon. Kho, representatives of
the DOJ, PNP, NBI, and the media sector.

V. Adjournment:
‘The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

Prey by:

ATTY. NARCISAH. GUEVARRA JA
Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

Chairmat
Committee on Justice