fer RES
\

A
Republic of the Philippines RECEIVED a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DATE _ 3 1 7" DP,
Quezon City TIME _ 7 a y
BY Yg
TWENTIETH CONGRESS ay

eS
Y
HOUSE BILL No. _316 NDES

Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ

‘The 1987 Philippine Constitution affirms the State's obligation to uphold every
Filipino’s right to the timely delivery of justice. This guarantee, articulated
under Article III, Section 16 of the Bill of Rights, extends beyond the judiciary
to encompass alll judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative bodies:

“All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before
all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

Despite this constitutional safeguard, the reality on the ground tells a different
story. Court congestion, systemic inefficiencies, and resource limitations
continue to undermine the swift resolution of cases. These issues were brought
to the fore during the Justice Sector Coordinating Council’s (“JSCC”) National
Decongestion Summit on December 6, 2023, which underscored how delays in
judicial proceedings exacerbate docket backlogs and jail overcrowding.

Data from the Summit revealed that a significant number of persons deprived
of liberty (“PDLs”) remain incarcerated for extended periods while awaiting
trial, an outcome that runs counter to the principle of justice being both humane
and expeditious. As Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo emphasized,
addressing the overwhelming caseloads of our trial courts is critical to restoring
faith in the justice system and fulfilling the Constitution's promise of timely
justice. }

In the Third District of Negros Occidental, the Regional Trial Court (“RTC”)
serving the cities and municipalities is located in Silay City, under the Sixth

1 Supreme Court of the Philippines. (2023, December 6). National Decongestion Summit: All Three
Gov't Branches Unite to Find Solutions to Jail and Prison Overcrowding.
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/national-decongestion-summit-all-three-govt-branches-unite-to-find-
solutions-to-jail-and-prison-overcrowding/


Judicial Region? This RTC currently comprises three branches: Branch 40,
Branch 69, and Branch 12, the latter designated as a Family Court.

Establishing this new branch will help decongest the courts, decentralize
judicial services, improve accessibility, and accelerate both professional and
judicial processes across the Third District of Negros Occidental.

This legislative initiative is vital to strengthening public service delivery and
ensuring the constitutional right of every Filipino to a speedy, humane, and

effective administration of justice.

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

JAY, MIGUEL LASENITEZ

2 Batas Pambansa Big. 129, An Act Reorganizing the Judiciary, Appropriating Funds
Therefor, and for Other Purposes (1981). https:/unmo.officinlgazette,goo.ph/i981/08/14/batas-
pambansa-blg-129/


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS

316

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL “JAVI” L. BENITEZ

AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
BRANCH TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF VICTORIAS,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (G) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG., 129, AS AMENDED, OR “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980”, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Creation of an Additional Regional Trial Court Branch in the
City of Victorias, Province of Negros Occidental - One (1) additional Regional Trial
Court branch is hereby created in the Sixth Judicial Region with seat at the City
of Victorias, Province of Negros Occidental.

‘The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-created
branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Sixth Judicial Region.

SEC. 2. Operationalization and Funding of the Newly-Created Court Branch -
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 one (1) additional branch of the Regional ‘Trial Court
to be stationed in the City of Victorias, Province of Negros Occidental. 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.

SEC. 3. Repealing and Amending Provisions— Section 14 (g) of Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129, or “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.


SECTION 4. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,