Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. asis

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

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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.

R QUIAO


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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1816

HB.

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.

SECTION 3. 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,