Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH (15™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2353

House Bill No.

Introduced by: Honorable RONALD V. SINGSON

AN ACT

CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, ONE FOR THE CITY OF VIGAN AND
ANOTHER FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO. DOMINGO, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7472 ENTITLED “AN ACT AMENDING SECTION
1 OF THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7154 ENTITLED “AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION
FOURTEEN OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT 1981, BY RESTORING THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CANDON AND CREATING
TWO ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE
OF ILOCOS SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create two (2) additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in
the Province of Mocos Sur, one for the City of Vigan, and another one for the
municipality of Sto. Domingo.

The provinces growing population, particularly in the City of Vigan and the
municipalities including the surrounding Sto. Domingo, and the accompanying political
social and economic interactions brought about by the economic development led to the
increase in number of disputes and court litigations among its inhabitants. The number of
cases filed in the court over the years has increased dramatically. With this trend certain
to continue, the backlog of cases in the existing courts is expected to increase also.

Justice delayed is justice denied. This truism applies to many societies and has
now become more of a rule rather than exception, even in the Province of Ilocos Sur. One
of the many causes of delay in the dispensation of justice is the lack of salas especially at
the regional trial court level.


Consequently, there is the imperative need for the creation of two (2) additional
branches of the Regional Trial Court for the Province of Ilocos Sur to enable the courts in
this part of the country to give speedy resolution of disputes and thereby provide better
services to the people.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is eamestly sought.

RONALD V. SINGSON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH (15™) CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
2359

House BillNo.

Introduced by: Honorable RONALD V. SINGSON

AN ACT

CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS SUR, ONE FOR THE CITY OF VIGAN AND
ANOTHER FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF STO. DOMINGO, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7472 ED ACT AMENDING SECTION
1 OF THE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7154 ENTITLED “AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION
FOURTEEN OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT 19817 BY RESTORING THE REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF CANDON AND CREATING
TWO ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE
OF ILOCOS SUR. AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE.

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

SECTION 1. Section 1 RA 7472 IS HEREBY AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Sec. 1, Section 14, paragraph (a), of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 as amended is hereby
further amended to read as follows:

“Seventy-two Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the first Judicial
Region. There shall be:

Three branches with seats thereat for the province of Abra, with seats at Bangued
and Bucay;

Fourteen branches with seats thereat for the province Benguet and the City of


Baguio with seats at Bagui City, La Trinidad and Buguias;

Ten branches with seats thereat for the Province of Ilocos Norte and the City of
Laoag, with seats at Laoag City, Batac and Bangui;

Ten Branches with seats thereat for the PROVINCE OF Ilocos Sur, with
seats at Vigan City, Narvacan, Candon, Cabugao and Tagudin;

“Eleven branches with seats thereat, for the Province of La Union, with seats at
San Femando City, Agoo, Bauang and Balaoan;

‘Two branches with seats thereat for Mountain Province, with seats at Bontoc and;
“Twenty-four branches with seats at Lingayen, Dagupan City, Urdaneta, Villasis, Tayug,
Rosales, Alaminos, Burgos and San Carlos City”.

SECTION 2. All expenditures necessary for the initial implementation of this Act
shall be charged against the Appropriations of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
under General Appropriations Act. Therafter, all such sums as may be necessary for the
continued operations and maintenance of the said courts shall be incorporated in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall be take effect upon its approval.

Approved.