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

/S” RECEIVED

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS .

First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 2491

INTRODUCED BY Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines may not be the most affluent of countries when it comes to
resources and economic investments but, one Filipino can be proud of the fact that
our nation’s legislative body is very much prolific in submitting bills and approving
laws for the greater benefit of the masses. However, such laws can only be so good
to be applied and scrutinized if the judiciary is efficient enough to reestablish their full
aspect especially in situations where the law is cited for certain trials in court.
Consequently, once cases are filed where specific provisions are to be essentially
referenced; it is quite a disservice to law when real-time impact upon the passing of
judgment is delayed because of logistical judiciary inadequacies. Hence, the
efficiency of judicial proceedings should be reevaluated with special consideration to
the number of cases submitted and the number of Municipal Trial Courts in Cities

As of the June this year, there are a total of 4,563 pending cases in all 7
Municipal Trial Courts in Cities branches in Bacolod City. At the beginning of the
year, there were a total of 4,674 pending cases. In a span of 6 months, 578 cases
were disposed. On the other hand, 467 cases were also added within the same
duration. That leaves roughly less than 3% completion rate in case handling, not to
mention the additional cases filed on a day-to-day basis. If such situation continues,
there will obviously be more cases stocked in file than cases dismissed. Thus, the
current scenario highly demands an increase in the number of court branches that
will definitely help in the speedy dispensation of justice

As such, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Pos

REP. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA
Lone District, Bacolod City


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

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2491

INTRODUCED BY Rep. EVELIO R. LEONARDIA

AN ACT
CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURT IN CITIES IN THE CITY OF BACOLOD, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE
SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 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. Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known as.
the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

Section 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:

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The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-created
branches of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities in the Sixth 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 three (3) additional branches of Municipal Trial
Court in Cities to be stationed at the City of Bacolod, the funding of which shall be


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included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The funds necessary for the
operation of the Court(s) herein created shall be appropriated and released only

upon the actual organization of the Court(s) and the appointment of its personnel

SEC. 3. 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,