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

Nineteenth (19") Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 4886

Introduced by HON. EDWARD S. HAGEDORN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks for the creation of four (4) additional branches of Regional Trial Courts on
the Fourth Judicial Region, Province of Palawan. Two (2) of which shall be established as Family
Courts to be stationed in the Regional Trial Courts of Brooke's Point and Coron, Palawan, and two
(2) shall be established as Special Court for Environmental Cases to be stationed in the Regional
Trial Courts of Coron and Roxas. Palawan, amending for the purpose Batas Pambansa Ble. 129,
otherwise known as the “Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1981” and appropriating funds therefor.

Palawan is known for its pristine waters, intact forest ecosystems and astounding
landscapes. No wonder it is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and voted as a “New
Seven (7) Wonders of Nature in 2012”. Having rich biodiversity and ecosystems means being
susceptible to any form of squandering. Illegal logging, mining and quarrying, and illegal wildlife
trade, among others, are the environmental threats and predicaments that Palawan face.

At present, there are one (1) Regional Trial Court (RTC) and one (1) Municipal Circuit
Trial Court (MCTC) in Coron, while one (1) RTC and one (1) Municipal Trial Court (MTC) in
Brooke's Point. Establishment of 4 additional RTC’s in Coron and Brooke’s Point is necessary to
further reorganize the courts, taking into account the workload, geographical location, and such
other factors that will affect the speedy and efficient delivery of justice.

The establishment of Family Courts will help solve and eradicate the congestion of cases
in courts which is highly encouraged by the Supreme Court of the Philippines. Furthermore, the


creation of Special Courts for Environmental Cases is imperative for the protection of Palawan,
the Philippines’ “last ecological frontier”

In the light of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly recommended.



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

Nineteenth (19"*) Congress
First Regular Session

Introduced by HON. EDWARD S. HAGEDORN

AN ACT
CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS
IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION, PROVINCE OF PALAWAN, TWO (2) OF
WHICH SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AS FAMILY COURTS TO BE STATIONED IN
THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS OF BROOKE’S POINT AND CORON,
PALAWAN, AND TWO (2) SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AS SPECIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL TRIAL COURTS OF CORON AND ROXAS, PALAWAN,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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:

Sec. 1. Two (2) Family Courts in Brooke’s Point and Coron, Palawan, and Two (2)
Special Environmental Trial Courts in Coron and Roxas, Palawan, are hereby created in the
Fourth Judicial Region.

Sec. 2, The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number for the newly created
branches.

Sec. 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
implementation of this Act. The amount necessary for the creation and the continuous funding
therefore shall likewise be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 4. Section 14 (c) of Batas Pambansa Big. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, as well as other provisions that may be inconsistent
herewith, are hereby deemed repealed, modified and/or further amended.


See. 5. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days after completion of its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,