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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 4074

Introduced by HON. ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to transfer the seats of two (2) new Regional Trial Courts from
the Municipality of Alabel, Province of Sarangani, to the Municipalities of Kiamba

and Malungon, also in Sarangani.

Republic Act No. 10123 created five (5) new Regional Trial Courts in the
Eleventh Judicial Region with seats in the Municipality of Alabel. The concentration
of the RTCs in the capital municipality makes them highly inaccessible for the rest
of the province. This is particularly so given the unique geography of Sarangani,
composed of two areas separated by Sarangani Bay and connected by land only
through General Santos City (which is outside the jurisdiction of the province).
Kiamba and Malungon are therefore representative municipalities for each of the

two separate areas of Sarangani.



Kiamba is a first-class municipality with a population of 61,058 according to
the 2015 Census of Population by the Philippine Statistics Authority. A separate
RTC sala in this municipality would not only benefit Kiamba, but also the adjacent
towns of Maitum and Maasim. These three municipalities comprise the eastern
portion of the province. Meanwhile, Malungon is also a first-class municipality with
a population of 103,604 according to the same census. Together with the
municipalities of Alabel, Malapatan, and Glan, they comprise the western portion of

Sarangani.

This proposed measure will promote access to, and improve the
administration of justice by 1) reducing the caseload of Alabel RTCs; and 2)
shortening the travel time and expenses of the litigants who are from the peripheries
of the province. Furthermore, since at least two (2) of the five (5) new RTCs
mandated by RA 10123 remain unorganized per latest information from the Judicial
and Bar Council (JBC), now is the perfect time to transfer these seats before they

are finally organized.

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

sought,



CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES)
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

4074
HB.No.___

BY REPRESENTATIVE ROGELIO D. PACQUIAO,

AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE SEATS OF TWO (2) NEW REGIONAL TRIAL
COURTS FROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF ALABEL, PROVINCE OF
SARANGANI TO THE MUNICIPALITIES OF KIAMBA AND
MALUNGON, PROVINCE OF SARANGANI, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10123 AND FURTHER AMENDING
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1, Two (2) of the five (5) Regional Trial Court branches
created in the Municipality of Alabel, Sarangani by virtue of Republic Act No.
10123, entitled “An Act Creating Five (5) Additional Branches of the Regional Trial
Courts in the Eleventh Judicial Region to be Stationed at the Municipality of Alabel,
Province of Sarangani, amending for the Purpose Paragraph (1), Section 14 of Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization


Act of 1980” are hereby transferred: one (1) to the Municipality of Kiamba,
Sarangani, and another one (1) to the Municipality of Malungon, Sarangani.

SECTION 2. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination
with the Secretary of the Justice, shall immediately include in the Court’s program
the implementation of this Act. The funding therefor shall likewise be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act. The funds necessary for the operation of the
courts herein transferred shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual
organization of the courts and the appointment of its personnel.

SECTION3. Repealing Clause, ~ Section 14(1) of Batas Pambansa Blg.
129, as amended, as well as other laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or

part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,