Republic of the Philippines HUUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVED
Quezon City pare 2 AUG 2016

TUNE:

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS RY:
First Regular Session

REPISTRATION UNIT
2308 BULLS AN) Nu X SERVICE

HOUSE BILL NO.

introduced by Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The concept of "speedy disposition of cases,
is consistent with reasonable delay.

is a relative term and a flexible concept. It

‘The delay in the disposition of cases is precisely what the 1987 Constitution seeks to
avoid, Article Il, Section 16 of Constitution provides that “All persons shall have the right to a
speeily disposition of their cases betore all judicial. quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”
Thus itis imperative that new positions for the Judiciary should be created.

Presently, the Judiciary is under fire for the congested or clogged dockets of the lower
courts. The clogged dockets of the courts cause great delay in the disposition of cases, The
following are the main causes the congestions:

1. Lack of judge
2. Heavy inflow of

nd
The use of regular judges as assisting or acting judges which has been proven to be
unproductive because they do not have sufticient time to devote to the cases in vacant
or congested courts since they have their own respective salas to attend to.

s in Metro Manila and other cities

The solution, therefore. is the creation of “Judges-at-Large” positions. These Judges shall
have no permanent sales and can be detailed by the Supreme Court to any court in the
Philippines, as public interest may require

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

LORD ALLg



Republic of the Philij
HOUSE OF REPRE:

Quezon City

“SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2308,

Introduced by Congressman Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco

AN ACT AMENDING BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“AN ACT REORGANIZING THE JUDICIARY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THERFER,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

TO CREATE THE POSITIONS FOR JUDGES-AT-LARGE

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

SECTION 1. Section 14. Cl
which will be read as follow

apter Il of B.P Blg. 129 is hereby amended to include section (n),

~(n) One hundred (100) positions of Regional Trial Judges-at-Large are created.
jd Judges-at-large shall have no permanent salas and can be detailed by the
Supreme Court as Acting or Assisting Judges to any Regional
Philippines, as public interest may require. Said judges-at-large
salaries. privile
Trial Judge.”

frial Court in the
are entitled to the.
ges, allowances, emoluments. benefits, rank and title of a Regional

ection 15, Chapter Il of B.P. Blg. 129 is hereby amended to read as follows:

~ Section 15, Qualifications ~ No person shall be appointed Regional Trial Judge
or Regional Trial Judge-at-large unless he is natural born citizen of the
Philippines, at least thirty-five years of age, and for at least ten years. has been
engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines or has held a public office in the



Philippines requiring admission to the practice of law as an indispensable
requisite.’

SECTION 3. Section

Chapter [il of B.P. Big. 129 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 25. Establishment of Metropolitan Trial Courts. Municipal Trial Courts,
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Judges-at-Large. ~ There shall
be created a Metropolitan Trial Court in each metropolitan area established by
law, a Municipal Trial Court in each of the other cities or municipalities. and a
Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each cigcuit compromising such cities and/or
municipalities as are grouped together pursuant to law.

One hundred (100) positions of Municipal Trial Judges-at-Large are created.
Said judges-atlarge shall have no permanent salas and can be detailed by
the Supreme Court as Acting or Assisting Judges to any first level court in
the Philippines, as a public interest may require. Said judges-at-large are
entitled to the salaries and all privileges, allowance, emoluments, benefits,
rank and title of a judge of a Municipal Trial Court in Cities.”

SECTION 4. Section 26, Chapter Ill of B.P. Blg. 129 is hereby amended to read as follows

“Section 26. Qualifications. — No person shall be appointed judge of a
Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court
or a Municipal Trial Judge-at-Large unless he is a natural-born citizen of the

sat least thirty years of age. and for at least five years. has been
engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines or has held a public office in the
Philippines requiring admission to the practice of law as an indispensable

requisite.

SECTION 5. Section 41, Chapter IV of B.P Big. 129 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 41. Salaries. — Intermediate Appellate Justices. Regional Trial Judges,
Regional Trial Judges-at-Large, Metropolitan Trial Judges. Municipal Cireuit
Trial Judges and Municipal Trial Judges-at-Large shall receive such
compensation and allowances as may be authorized by the President along the
guidelines set forth in Letter of Implementation No. 93 pursuant to Presidential
Decree No. 985. as amended by Presidential Decree No, 1597."

Section 6. Section 42. Chapter LV of B.P. big. 129, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 42. Longevity pay and Displacement Allowance. ~ A monthly longevity
pay equivalent to 5% of the monthly basic pay shall be paid to the Justices and
Judges of the courts herein created for euch five years of continuous, efficient.
and meritorious service rendered in the judiciary: Provided, That in no case shall

the total salary of each Justice or Judge concerned. after this longevity pay is
added. exceed the salary of the Justice or Judge next in rank.


Regional Trial Judges-at-Large and Municipal Trial Judges-at-Large shall
receive displacement allowances, which shall cover their housing, food,
transportation, and other necessary expenses incurred during their detail to
courts which are outside their
allowances shall be determined by the Supreme Court upon the
recommendation of the Court Administrator and the Plantilla Committee.”

es of residence. The Displacement

sulations, orders. memoranda or circulars

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause, ~ All laws, rules, 1
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 8, Effectivity, ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication in the
Official Gazette or in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation,

Approved.