Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH (18™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1048

House Bill No.

Introduced by:

RUDY S. CAOAGDAN
Province of Cotabato Second District Representative

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill is being introduced to create Drug Courts which will have exclusive
jurisdiction over all drug offenses defined under Republic Act No. 9165, known as An
Act Instituting the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Repealing Republic act
No. 6425, otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended,
providing funds therefor, and for other purposes.

War against drugs is one of the centerpiece programs of President Rodrigo Roa
Duterte. Immediately upon his assumption as President of the Republic of the
Philippines, the campaign against drugs was intensified resulting to numerous filing of
drug cases before the Regional Trial Courts. To expedite the resolution of these drug
cases, the Regional Trial Courts were then given timeline by the Supreme Court. These
courts have no recourse but to give drug cases preference in their calendar/schedule
over other cases such as criminal, civil, special civil actions, special proceedings,
miscellaneous and other cases. This resulted in the delay in the disposal of these other
cases.

By not giving attention to this delay caused by the numerous drug cases being
filed before the Regional Trial Courts and the preference given to them, litigants for


other cases would continue to be deprived of their right to speedy disposition of their
cases which right is embraced in the due process clause of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution.

In passing this bill, the speedy disposal of drug cases as well as cases which are
criminal and civil in nature, special civil actions, special proceedings, miscellaneous and
other cases will be guaranteed and dockets of the Regional Trial Courts will be reduced.

Prescinding, there is a need to create Drug Courts. The approval of this measure
is respectfully sought.

RUDY 8. CAOAGDAN
resentative
nd District

Province of Cotabato

An Act Establishing Drug Courts, Granting Them Exclusive Original
Jurisdiction Over Drug Cases Under Republic Act No. 9165, as amended,
Amending Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, As Amended, Otherwise Known As
The Judiciary Reorganization Act Of 1980, Appropriating Funds Therefor
And For Other Purposes.

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

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Drug Courts Act”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to provide a
system of expediting the resolution of cases filed in courts. This is in
pursuit of the policy of giving value to the dignity of every human person
by not prolonging his agony in enforcing and defending his rights.

Section 3. Establishment of Drug Courts. There shall be established a Drug
Court in every legislative district of a province and two (2) Drug Courts for
every chartered city. In the case of Metropolitan Manila, each component
city shall have a Drug Court. The Drug Court shall be equal to the Regional
Trial Court under Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, as amended.


Section 4. Qualification of Drug Court Judges. Drug Court judges shall have
the same qualifications with that of a Regional Trial Court judges under
Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended, except that Drug Court judges
shall undergo specialized training in handling drug cases.

Section 5. Jurisdiction of Drug Courts. Drug Courts shall have primary and
exclusive jurisdiction over all drug offenses under Republic Act No. 9165.

Section 6. Special Rules of Procedure. The Supreme Court shall promulgate
rules regarding the transfer of drug cases pending before the Regional Trial
Courts to the Drug Courts. Drug Courts shall observe the same procedure
provided in the Rules of Court.

Section 7. Appeals. Appeals from decisions, resolutions and orders from
Drug Courts shall be done under the same procedure with that of the
Regional Trial Courts.

Section 8. Appropriations. Funding for this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment and so
forth.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Supreme Court in
coordination with the Dangerous Drugs Board shall formulate the rules and
regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 10. Separability Clause. Provisions of this Act not declared as
unconstitutional shall remain effective.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended.

Section 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazzette or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.