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

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 3137

Introduced by Representative Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This legislative measure seeks to create an additional Regional Trial Court
(RTC) to be situated in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.

The First District of Negros Oriental is composed of two cities and seven
municipalities. From the consultations with the officials of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology, the congestion of jails in the legislative district has
been raised as a pressing issue in need of urgent remedial measures. Among the
factors for the congestion is the fact that only one RTC, located in City of
Guihulngan, currently exists in the district. The lack of available court salas has
led to an immense delay in the administration of justice, further resulting in the
overstaying of prisoners in overcrowded jails.

This legislation aims to uphold the constitutional right of prisoners to the
speedy disposition of their cases and to improve the capacity, operations, and
effectivity of our justice sector. The creation of an RTC in the City of Canlaon
will ease the difficulty of litigating cases brought about by the far distance of the
nearest RTC from the other municipalities in the district.

In the interest of expeditious, fair, and impartial administration of justice,
the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No_93137

Introduced by Representative Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE CITY OF CANLAON IN THE PROVINCE OF NEGROS.
ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA
BILANG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980” AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. An additional branch of the Regional Trial Court to be
stationed in the City of Canlaon, situated in the Province of Negros Oriental, is
hereby created in the Seventh Judicial Region.

SEC. 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the
newly created Regional Trial Court branch in the Seventh Judicial Region.

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 operationalization of the Regional Trial Court, the funding
of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. The funds
necessary for the operation of the court shall be released only upon the actual
organization of the court and the appointment of its personnel.

SEC. 4. Section 14(h) 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.

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

Approved,