Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City oaTNOV_1,9

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5539
House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 1987 Constitution provides that “(a)lI persons shall have the right to a speedy
disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies” (Section
16, Article III). This is consistent with the legal maxim “justice delayed is justice denied.”

In the City of San Jose Del Monte in the province of Bulacan, this legal maxim has
become a norm. The speedy disposition of cases remains an elusive reality.

The City has a population of more than one (1) million. However, the city only has
two Regional Trial Courts and three Metropolitan Circuit Trial Courts with-a caseload of
more than a thousand cases for each court. This is far from the ideal caseload of 300 to 450
cases per court.

Needless to say, the wheels of justice grind ever so slowly in the City of San Jose Del
Monte, Bulacan because the courts are clogged with cases that even the most professional,
brilliant and diligent legal brains cannot possible surmount.

The establishment of additional courts, including the special courts for particular
cases, will therefore address the slow resolution of cases and will make not only justice more
responsive to the needs of the people but easily accessible.

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

FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES.

* RECEIVED % a


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5539
House Bill No,

Introduced by Representative FLORIDA “RIDA” P. ROBES

ANACT
CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
(RTC), NAMELY: ONE (1) SPECIAL COURT FOR DRUG CASES, ONE (1) SPECIAL COURT
FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CASES, ONE (1) SPECIAL COMMERCIAL COURT AND TWO (2)
REGULAR COURTS, TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE,
SITUATED IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN, IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION,
FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
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. Five (5) additional branches of the Regional Trial Court, namely one (1) Special
Court for Drug Cases, one (1) Special Court for Environmental Cases, one (1) Special
Commercial Court and two (2) Regular Courts, to be stationed in the City of San Jose del
Monte, situated in the Province of Bulacan, are hereby created in the Third Judicial Region.

Section 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly created
Regional Trial Court branches in the Third Judicial Region.

Section 3. 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 the Regional Trial Court branches to be stationed in the City of San Jose
del Monte, Province of Bulacan, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual

General Appropriations Act.


Section 4. Section 14(c) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, and all other laws, executive orders, and rules and

regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
accordingly.

Section 5. This Act shall take effect fifteenth (15) days after its complete publication in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.