Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

2547
COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

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

_—__ 1 8 DEC “2012
ee
Re: House Bill No. 8777
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 3372

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, and Mel Senen
S. Sarmiento

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was
referred House Bill No. 3372, introduced by Representative Mel Senen S. Sarmiento,
entitled:

“AN ACT
ESTABLISHING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE CITY OF CALBAYOG,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 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
4 entitled


“AN ACT

CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES 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”

be approved in substitution of House Bi No. 3372, with Representatives Mel
Senen S. Sarmiento, Nie C. Tupas, #¢ and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, as authors
thereof.

ee submitted,

TOCELYN S
Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations

Cdmmittee on Justice

The Honorable

‘The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


6

10

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
ELFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

E BILL NO. 6777

HOUS

S. Sarmiento, Niel C. Tupas, Jr., and

Introduced by Representatives Mel Sene
Jocelyn S. Limkaichong

AN ACT.
CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURT IN CITIES 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

Be it Represental the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Two (2) additional branches of the Municipal ‘Trial Courts
in Cities are hereby created in the Eight Judicial Region to be stationed at the
City of Calbayog, Province of Western Samar.

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-
created branches of the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities in the Eight Judicial
Region.

SEC. 2. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination with

hall immediately include in the

the Secretary of the Department of Justice,
Court's program the operationalization of two additional branches of the

Municipal Trial Courts in Cities to be stationed at the City of Calbayog,


Province of Western Samar, the funding of which shall be included in the

annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Section 29 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 REPRESENTA
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

TS

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular S

HOUSE BILL NO.

EN S. SARMIENTO

Introduced by: REP. MEL S

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish two additional branches of Municipal Trial
Court in the City of Calbayog in Samar amending for the purpose Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of
1980.

The city is growing fast with a population now of more than 160,000.
Corollary to the city’s urbanization is the deluge of cases that has continued to
pile up in the lone MTC branch in the city. The situation has been exacerbated
by the retirement of the judge in 2010.

The passage of this bill is necessary to provide impetus to Section 16 of
Article IT Gill of Rights) which declares that, “all persons shall have the right
10 @ speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial or
administrative bodies.”

The courts should serve the best interest of the public and answer the
growing demand for the immediate resolution of cases which presently clog the —
dockets and slow down the dispensation of justice in Calbayog City, Hence,
the creation of two additional branches of MTC in the Eighth Judicial Region is
of utmost importance for the people of Calbayog.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.

6
MEL SENENS. SARMIENTO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon Cit

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
lar Session

2999
HOUSE BILLNo._ °° ¢~

Introduced by: REP. MEL SENEN S. SARMIENTO

AN ACT
ABLISHING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE CITY OF CALBAYOG,
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

SECTION 1. Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, as amended, is hereby
further amended adding to the list of those cities allowed to have more than one

branch of Municipal Trial Court to read as follows:

“SEC. 29. Municipal Trial Courts in cities. In every city which does not

form part of a metropolitan area, there shall be a Municipal Trial Court with
one branch, except as hereunder provided:

Two branches for Laoag City;
Four branches for Baguio City;

‘THREE BRANCHES FOR CALBAYOG CITY;
Three branches for Dagupan City;

Xxx


SECTION 2.The amount necessary for the effective implementation of this
‘Act shall be charged to the appropriations for the Supreme Court. Thereafier,
such amount as may be necessary for the continuous implementation of this

‘Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3.This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in

at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,



November 20, 2012

_, epublica the Bhiippines
House of Representutines
Quezon City, Metros 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 bil

1

o

‘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 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR’,

‘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”,

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 AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 128, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 7980, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

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



PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAG! ) AND St OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF +980’, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

to House Bill No. 1906, tiled "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH E REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL TO 8© STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (kK) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS.
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

6 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 74, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’;

7. House Bill No. 5347, tiled “AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN ROVINCE 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, tiled “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF
THE JONAL 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’.

5. Substitute Sill

5563, tied “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
|AL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION TO

9. Substitute Bill to House Bill No.

BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL Ti
BE STATIONED AT ITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR
14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,

THE PURPO:
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JU
AMENOED, AND APPROPRIATIN(

710. House Bill No. 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’,

RGANIZATION ACT OF 7980’ AS
FOR":

CIARY
INCS

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 ( ION 2@ AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 123, WISE KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY



14.

15.

16

Wi

18.

19

REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS AMENDED, AND AF
THEREFOR
Substitute Bill to House Bill No 2306, titled “AN ACT CREAT
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIC
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MAKATI CITY, METRO

THE PURPOSE SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.

AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 198u 7.
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, 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 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 (D) 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 Sill 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, stled "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



STATIONED IN PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA,
SECTION 44 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS
IOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION

, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”, and

JUDICIAL REGION, TO BE
AMENDING FOR THE PUI

PAMBANSA BLG. 1
ACT OF 1980, AS Al
‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 6478, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE ONAL 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 PERSONN:
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 Gibert F. Vilago
Rep. Arturo 8. Robes
Rep. Ramon “Red” H. Durano Vi
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, J.
Rep. Yevgeny Vincent 8. Emano
Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Vilanca
Rep. Florencio T. Flores, Jr
Ren. invin M. Alcala
Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez
Rep, Jorge "Bolet” Banal
Rep. Enique M. Couangco
Rep. Susan A. Yap
Rep. Godotredo V. Arquiza
Rep, Mei Senen S. Sarmiento
Rep. Napoleon S. Dy
Rep. Edwin L. Olvarez
Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noe!
Rep. Imelca Capto-Rubiano
Rep. Reynalda V. Umak



MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 04 SEPTEMBER
2012, TUESDAY, 9:30 A.M. AT CONFERENCE ROOMS 1 & 2, RVM BUILDING, HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY.

GUESTS:
ATTY. ANTONIO EUGENIO, JR. - Deputy Court Administrator, Supreme Court

ATTY. MANUEL CO ~ Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Bureau of Corrections

ATTY. PERSIDA ACOSTA — Chief, Public Attorney's Office (PAO)

P/SUPT-II RAMON REYES — OIC, New Bilibid Prison (NBP)

SUPT ANTONIO CRUZ -OIC, Administrative Division, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)

DR. CYNTHIA ANDRADA — OIC, Reception and Diagnostic Center, BuCor

MR. ALFREDO DEVARAS — Chief, 8uCor Reservation Support Services (BRSS)

MR. ROLLO ALARCON — Chief, Program Management Office (PMO), BuCor

MR. RAFAEL RAGOS ~ Deputy Director, National Bureau of Investigation (NB!)

0. MS. MARIA TERESA DE CASTRO ~ Sports and Recreation Office, BuCor

1.MR. MELITO GERONIMO, JR. — President, Bureau of Corrections Employees’
Association (BUCOREA)

12. DR. RENANTE BASAS — Director IV, Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

13. ATTY. JESSICA GAMBOL SCHUCK ~ Atty. V, CHR.

NoueRunE

BE om

I, CALLTO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Rep. Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Justice called the meeting to order at
9:52 a.m. The Chairman called on Atty. David Robert Amorin, Service Director of the
Legal/Political Cluster to lead the prayer. Rep. Rodolfo Albano, Jr. then moved to dispense
with the roll call. The motion was duly seconded and approved

Il, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 2012 MEETING

Rep. Albano moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve the same.
Both motions were duly seconded and approved.

Ill. MEETING PROPER

A. CREATION OF ADDITIONAL COURT SALAS (House Bill Nos. 2306, 2958, 3372, 4265,
4670, 4708, 4719, 5531, 5558, 5566, 5839 and 6418)

The Chairman presented to the members of the Committee the various |. 2use Bills creating
additional court salas. He stated that during a meeting of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC),
the members of the JBC agreed that with regard to the creation of new court salas, the
Committee shall base its decisions on the recommendations of the Supreme Court. The
Chairman then called on Deputy Court Administrator Antonio Eugenio, Jr. to comment on
the said House Bills. DCA Eugenio questioned the creation of four (4) Regional Trial Courts
(RTCs) in separate locations in Caloocan City as provided in HB 4265. He stated that the
reason for the splitting of the 4 RTCs i locations (Caloocan City Proper and

to sep.



t be clarified. DCA Eugenio also deferred his
8 in order to conduct further studies on the need for

Caloocan City North Station)

recommendations on HB 5531 and 5:
the creation of additional court salas in Olongapo, Zambales and in Pasig City.

hat the author of the bill, Rep. Josephine

With regard to HB 5566, the Chairman manifested
Lacson-Noel, has submitted an amendment to the bill such that there w"! be two (2)
additional Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) branches instead of just one (1) in Malabon. DCA
Eugenio expressed his agreement to the amendment end did not interpose any objection

thereto.

Rep. Albano stated that there are some local government units (LGUs) where salas are
provided, but which do not have judges or personnel. He recommended that the funds for
newly created salas be released only upon the actual organization of such courts. DCA

Eugenio agreed to raise this issue to the Court Administrator.

After the comments from DCA Eugenio, the Chairman deferred action on HB Nos. 4265,
5531 and 5558 pending the written recommendation to be submitted by the Office of the
Court Administrator on September 7, 2012. Rep. Albano then made an omnibus motion to
approve the remaining nine (9) bills, subject to form and style, and subject further that the
funds appropriated to such court salas shall be released only upon the actual organization
thereof. The motion was duly seconded and there being no objection, and the ollowing bills

were approved on the Committee level:

HB No. 2306 re: 5 MeTC (Makati City) by Rep. G. Arquiza;
HB No. 2958 re: 1 RTC (Cauyan, Isabela) by Rep. N. Dy;
HB No. 3372 re: 2 MTC (Calbayog) by Rep. Sarmient

HB No, 4670 re: 1 RTC (Guihuingan, Negros Oriental) by Rep. Linkaichong;
HB No. 4708 re: 2 RTC (Parafiaque) by Rep. Olivarez;

HB No. 4718 re: 2 MTCC (Quezon) by Rep. Alcala;

HB No. 5839 re: 5 RTC and 5 MeTC (Pasay) by Rep. Calixto-Rubiano;

HB No. 6418 re: 4 MTC (Oriental Mindoro) by Rep. R. Umali; and,

HB No. 5566 re: 2 MeTC and 5 RTC (Maiabon) by Rep. J. Noel

PON OMAUnE

B. SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

@ omnibus motion of Rep. Albano, the Chairman suspended the
way to the joint meeting of the Committees on

After the approval of
meeting of the Committee in order to gi
Justice and Government Reorganization. The meeting was suspended at 10:15 a.m.

C CONTINUATION OF THE DELIBERATION ON THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS
MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2011 (House Bill Nos. 197, 712, 2880, 4619, 4766, 5546,
5741 and 5926, and House Resolution No. 1327)

esumed at 10:45 a.m. upon the adjournment of
Government Reorganization. The

The meeting of the Committee on Justi
the joint meeting of the Committees on Justice a



Chairman informed the members that the Committee conducted three (3) public hearings
f 2021. These public hearings were held in the

with regard to the BuCor Modernization Act
New ilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institutio- for Women in

Mandaluyong City, and the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
The Chairman aided that the next public hearing will be conducted either in the Sablayan
Penal Colony in Oriental Mindoro or in the Davao Penal Colony in Davao del Sur.

After his preliminary remarks, the Chairman asked the resource persons about the status of
the “kubols” found in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). PSupt. Ramon Reyes answered that not
all of the “kubols” were demolished but were instead restructured wherein each “kubol”
now houses five (5) inmates. These “kubols” are also now uniform structures. PSupt. Reyes
added that the “living-out” privileges were abolished in response to the recommendations

of the members of the Committee during the public hearing held in the NBP.

The members of the Committee raised questions regarding the “kidnapping” incident
involving Rolito Go last August. Deputy Director Rafael Ragos of the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) answered that the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection
Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are investigating the incident. However,
Dep. Dir. Ragos stated that the NBI tends to believe the theory of kidnapping, based on the
report submitted by the NBI to the DOJ. He also acknowledged the presence of a syndicate
inside the NBP compound which is involved in these so-called kidnapping incidents.

Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil requested that the BuCor submit to the Committee a copy of the
report of the DOJ regarding the review of the rules and regulations of the 3uCor. BuCor
Administrator Manuel Co agreed to the request of Rep. Bataoil.

Sought for comments on the proposed BuCor Modernization Bill, Dr. Renante Basas of the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed his support to the bill, adding that the
modernization of the BuCor will help the Philippines meet the UN standards on the
treatment of prisoners. He also stressed the importance of a human rights-based approach

to prison management.

Asked by the Chairman whether there is 2 need to centralize the jails and penal facilities
under the separate jurisdictions of the BuCor, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,
and provincial jails, Administrator Co replied that a single jail system might be feasible,
Under‘a Department of Corrections. However, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Presida
Acosta expressed her reservations to such a proposal, claiming that centralization might be
difficult on the management of inmates and detainees. Instead, PAO Chief Acosta proposed

that the only alternative is to strengthen the 8uCor.

After the above discussions, the Chairman instructed the BuCor to submit to the Committee
within one week a report on the various issues raised during the meeting, including 1.) the
“kubol” system”, 2.) living-out privileges, 3.) illegal drugs, 4.) prostitution, 5) kidnapping,

and 6.) guns-for-hire.


Rep. David Kho moved that a Technical Working Group (TWG) be created in order to
consolidate all the bills on the modernization of the BuCor. The motion was duly seconded
by Rep. Bataoil, and there being no objection thereto, the motion was carried.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

Chairman Tupas adjourned the meeting at 11:48 2.m.

Prepared by:

Le pt
RENE A, DELORINO
Supervising Legislative Staff Officer-1

Correct by:

sAvclonsna

Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

atteslebbr—

HON, NIEL C. TUPAS
Chairman
Committee on Justice