Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" Congress
First Regular Session

4265
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Malapitan
EXPLANATORY NOTE

Caloocan City, with a fast-growing population estimated to be at 1.3 million this
year, only has 13 existing Regional Trial Court (RTC) branches. With a total of almost
5,000 criminal and civil cases in the Caloocan City Regional Courts last year, it has
become evident that the sheer volume of cases, coupled with the relatively small number
of trial courts, has been adversely affecting the effective dispensation of justice for
Caloocan City residents.

For the past several years, Caloocan City’s population has been growing at a very
hectic pace, mainly due to the high rate of migration towards the northern portion of the
city, which has been dubbed as the fast frontier separating the urban from the rural
outskirts of Metro Manila. Moreover, Caloocan City is the site of various resettlement and
relocation programs of the government, towards which a large number of the population
from the provinces and the rural areas have been migrating and settling with their families.

In view hereof, the creation of four (4) additional Regional Trial Court branches in
Caloocan City, with stations at Caloocan City (Proper) and Caloocan City (North), is
urgently requested to better serve the judicial needs of its citizens and considerably reduce
the large backlog of undisposed cases.

It may be worthwhile mentioning that a similar bill was filed in the House of
Representatives during the 12" Congress and the same was passed, but was not acted
upon by the Senate.

Hence, the attached bill which proposes to amend Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, as
amended by Republic Act No. 7154, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization of
Act of 1981,

Along with the creation of the proposed RTC branches, this bill likewise seeks the
appointment of RTC judges who will preside over the new RTC branches.

In view thereof, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES i
Quezon City

415" Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 4265

Introduced by Representative Malapitan

AN ACT
CREATING ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES FOR CALOOCAN
CITY, WITH STATIONS AT CALOOCAN CITY (NORTH) AND CALOOCAN CITY
(PROPER), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 OF BATAS PAMBANSA 129,
AS AMENDED BY RA. NO. 7154, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1981,” AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 1. Section 14, Paragraph (d) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, as
amended by Republic Act No. 7154, otherwise known as the “Judiciary Reorganization Act
of 1981,” is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“(d) One hundred [seventy-six] EIGHTY Regional Trial Judges shall be commission
for the National Capital Judicial Region. There shall be:

x xX
[Thirteen] SEVENTEEN branches for Caloocan City, with seats thereat:
x x x

SEC. 2. Of the four (4) additional Regional Trial Court branches, two (2) shall be
situated at the Caloocan City (Proper) and two (2) at the Caloocan City (North).

SEC. 3. The Supreme Court shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act and if warranted the alignment of the seats of existing
branches and their territorial jurisdiction.

SEC. 4. 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 four (4) additional regional trial court branches in the City of

Caloocan, with two (2) stations at Caloocan City (Proper) and two (2) stations at Caloocan

Sty (North), the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
ct,

SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved,