Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

2551

COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

Submitted by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations on
DEC 201:

6780

Re: House Bill No.
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 5583

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, and Lucy
Marie Torres-Gomez

Mr. Speaker:

‘The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was
referred House Bill No. 5583, introduced by Representative Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez ,

entitled:

‘AN ACT

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE TO BE STATIONED AT THE
CITY OF ORMOC, AMENDING FOR THE 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”

have SBy the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No.

i entitled:



“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 (I) OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980", AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

be approved in substitution of HB No. 3563, with Representatives Lucy Marie Torres-
Gomez, Niel C. Tupas, Jz., and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong , as authors thereof.

Respectfully submitted,

JOCELYN | LIMKAICHONG
Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations: Cbmmittee on Justice

The Honorable

‘The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


9

10

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

nouse pit No._6780

Introduced by Representatives Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez, Niel C. Tupas, Jr.,
and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong

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”

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

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a branch of the Regional Trial
Court in the Eight Judicial Region to be stationed at the City of Ormoc,
Province of Leyte.

‘The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-
created Regional Trial Court branch in the Eight 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 the Regional Trial Court branch to
be stationed in the City of Ormoc, Province of Leyte, the funding of which

shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


SEC. 3. Section 14 (i) 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

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, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
5583

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In ancient times, the “King's peace” guaranteed the citizens of the
realm just resolution of their disputes so as not to disrupt the existing
political order. In today's democratic society, we have institutional
frameworks for conflict resolution, foremost of which is the courts.

Justice, however, as a basic need of man, has been hampered by a
number of factors in modern Philippine society. Even relatively simple cases
have been known to languish in our courts due to moneyed interests, multi-
layered appeals, and the clogging of the dockets of our courts.

For instance, the combined caseload of the two (2) existing branches
of the Regional Trial Court in Ormoe City, Province of Leyte has been
found to be 1,562, averaging 781 cases per branch. This is a far cry from the
ideal or manageable ratio of 300-450 caseload for each branch. With judicial
reforms towards the facilitation of the caseflow of the courts taking a long
time in the coming, the more immediate remedy would be to increase the
number of courts so as to mitigate instances of “justice delayed” which is
anathema to our administration of justice in the country.

In view therefore of the urgency of this bill, which seeks to create an
additional branch of the Regional Trial Court in City of Ormoc, Province of
Leyte, its early approval is most earnestly sought.

_- 7 ‘S-GOMEZ


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

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 5583

Introduced by Honorable Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF LEYTE TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, AMENDING FOR THE
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

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

SECTION 1. Section 14, paragraph (i) of Batas Pambansa Ble. 129,
otherwise known as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as
amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 14. Regional Trial Courts. —
* Xie

“(i) [Thirty-three] THIRTY-FOUR Regional Trial Judges

shall be commissioned for the Eight Judicial Region. There

shall be:


XXX

“{Thirteen] FOURTEEN branches (Branches VI to
[XVIII] XIX) for the province of Leyte, the sub-province of
Biliran, and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban, Branches VI
and IX with seats at Tacloban City, Branch X at Abuyog,
Branch XI at Calubian, [Branch] BRANCHES XII AND XIX
at Ormoc City, Branch XIII at Carigara, Branch XIV at Baybay,
Branch XV at Burauen, Branch XVI at Naval, Branch XVII at

Palompon, and Branch XVIII at Hilongos;

exe

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 the additional branch of the
Regional Trial Court in the Province of Leyte, with station at the City of
Ormoc, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. 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,


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatines
Quezon City, Metro Mente

November 20, 2012

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:

1. 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 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,

14, 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 729, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 71980’, AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423, tiled “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 SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE:
ACT OF 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERE

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 1906, titied “AN AC

BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN *

ORIENTAL TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALIT
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (K) OF BA
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY
1980’, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4968, titled “AN ACT |... sv 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 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


44.

15.

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, 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 (B) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED AND APPROPRIATING.

FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No. 4870, titled "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, titied “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, tited "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. 128, 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, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL,
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE (6) 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 14 (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.

Committee on Appropriations

ce: Rep. Joseph Gibert F. Violago
Rep, Arturo B. Robes.
Rep. Ramon “Red” H. Durano V1
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr.
Rep. Yewgeny Vincent B. Emano
Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Vllarica
Rep. Florencio T. Flores, Jr
Rep. Irvin M. Alcala
Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez
Rep. Jorge “Bole” Banal
Rep. Enrique A. Couangeo
Rep. Susan A Yap
Rep. Godofredo V. Arquiza
Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento
Rep. Napolean S. Dy
Rep. Edwin L Olvarez
Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noe!
Rep. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano
Rep. Reynaido V. Umalt


she

the,
Sap’

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 14 AUGUST
2012 AT CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. § & 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)

PIC.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 ~ SMARTISUN CELLULAR.

ATTY. MICHAEL URETA - PLDT

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
40:00 am,

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

MN. 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

\g with the Committee on Government Reorganization

adjourn and reconvene to meet in a joint meeti
to deliberate on the measures regarding the Orfice'of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

IV, Deliberation Proper:
A. Creation of Additional Court Sai

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
+ HBNo. 183 re: 2 RTC (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. 899 re: 1 RTC (Danao City, Cebu) by Rep. R. Durano
HB No. 1422 re: 1MTC (Sto. Tomas, Davao de! 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. 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,
Victoria-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. Arnaldo Dizon,
President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Tarlac, who said that upon coordination with
the judges of Tarlac, there is a 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 Viliarica, 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
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 funding provisions of bills proposing the
same. He however emphasized that usually, it is 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 bils 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 ofits personnel,”

B. Anti- Stalking Act:

The Committee next deliberated on HB Nos. 3367, 5099 and 6114 respectively authored by
Hons.Salvador Escudero Ili, Diosdado Arroyo and Inwin 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 stern 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 bil’'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 that the enactment of said
faws in that country were fairly recent and was brought about as a result of the death of a celebrity,
Rebecca 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

cn the person, then the court may issue a protection order against them

‘Asked for his comments, Deputy Court Administrator Eugenio opined that ifthe 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
fon 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, PIC. 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 cyberstaiking.

~ After 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.

Prepared by:

Atty. NARCISA H. GUEVARRA JAt—

Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

Committee on Justice