Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7201

Introduced by Representative Michael B. Gorriceta

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In recent years, the Municipality of Sta. Barbara and Pavia, in the Province of
Iloilo, have seen an increase in its population due to the numerous housing
developments and industries around the area. As of January 2020, the
population of Sta. Barbara and Pavia has reached 65,119 and 58,187
respectively.

The current location of the 13 Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Brgy. Zone 2,
Sta. Barbara, caters to clients from both the Municipalities of Sta. Barbara and
Pavia. July 2020 data shows that out of one hundred ninety two (192) Criminal
Cases, thirty eight (38) of those came from Sta. Barbara and one hundred fifty
four (154) came from Pavia. Similarly, out of ten (10) Civil Cases, nine (9) of
those belonged to Pavia and only one (1) from Sta. Barbara. Furthermore, out of
the sixty seven (67) Small Claims Cases, forty six (46) came from Pavia and
twenty one (21) from Sta. Barbara. As with marriages, Sta. Barbara had twenty
four (24) couples and Pavia had seventeen (17) couples. This data is further
reflected in the chart below:

‘AS OF JULY 2020 | MUNICIPALITY OF | MUNICIPALITY OF
STA. BARBARA PAVIA
CRIMINAL CASES 38 154
CIVIL CASES 1 9
SMALL CLAIMS 21 46
CASES
[MARRIAGES _| 24 i - i; ei eae
TOTAL 84 226



This reflects the pattern that majority of the clients catered by the 13th
Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Sta. Barbara and Pavia, came mostly from the
Municipality of Pavia, and given its geographical location with at least 8.5kms
between the town proper of both municipalities, it is rightfully fitting that the
separation of the Sta. Barbara Municipal Circuit Trial Court be established.
Furthermore, by creating an individual Municipal Trial Court for Sta. Barbara
and Pavia, it shall present an opportunity for an accessible judiciary system,
logistical consideration and efficient service.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

tr)

MICHAEL B. GORRICETA


Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _7291

Introduced by Representative Michael B. Gorriceta

AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURTS, ONE (1) MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT FOR STA. BARBARA,
AND ONE (1) MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN PAVIA, ALL SITUATED

IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOILO, IN THE SIXTH JUDICIAL REGION,
THUS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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 as assembled:

SECTION 1. Two (2) additional branches of the Municipal Trial Court
to be stationed in the Municipality of Sta. Barbara and in the Municipality of
Pavia, situated in the Province of Iloilo are hereby created in the Sixth Judicial

Region.

SECTION 2. The territorial jurisdiction of the Municipal Circuit Trial
Court of Sta. Barbara and Pavia in the Province of Iloilo are hereby separated
and a separate Municipal Trial Court for Sta. Barbara and a separate Municipal

Trial Court for Pavia, respectively, shall be established therein.


SECTION 3. The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch

numbers for the newly created branches in the Sixth Judicial Region.

SECTION 4. All pending cases falling within the jurisdiction of the
Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Sta. Barbara and Pavia shall be transferred to
the newly created Municipal Trial Court in Sta. Barbara and Municipal Trial

Court of Pavia, accordingly, and shall be tried and decided therein.

SECTION 5. 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 the two (2) additional branches of the
Municipal Trial Court, one (1) Municipal Trial Court in Sta. Barbara, and one
(1) Municipal Trial Court in Pavia, all in the Province of Iloilo, the funding of
which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. The funds
necessary for the operation of the courts herein created shall be appropriated
and released only upon the actual organization of the courts and the

appointment of its personnel.

SECTION 6. Sections 29, 30 and 31 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129,
otherwise known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended,
and all other laws, executive orders, and rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified

accordingly.


SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,