Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

45" Congress
Third Regular Session

MEMORANDUM
FOR : THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
FOR OPERATIONS
ATTENTION: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
PLENARY AFFAIRS BUREAU
THE SERVICE DIRECTOR
BILLS & INDEX SERVICE
FROM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL FOR
COMMITTEE AFFAIRS
SUBJECT COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 2567

RE: Additional Court Salas

We are respectfully transmitling herewith six (6) copies of the Committee Report
on House Bill No ‘2 in substitution of House Bill No. 899, entitled "AN
ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE STATIONED IN DANAO CITY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (H) OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AND APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFOR.”

For your appropriate action.

ATTY. ARLENE DADA-ARNALDO.
Sh 7


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

‘Third Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 2567

Submitteg pyafpeygmmittee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations on

Re: House Bill No. 6800
Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 899

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S. Limkaichong, and Ramon
“Red” Durano VI

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was
referred House Bill No. 899, introduced by Representative Ramon “Red” Durano VI,
entitled:

“AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
BRANCH IN DANAO CITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”

have cegmpidered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No,
6 , entitled

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE STATIONED IN


DANAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

be approved in substitution of HB No. 899 with Representatives Ramon “Red” Durano
VL, Niel C. Tupas, Jr., and Jocelyn S. Lj ‘ichong , as authors thereof.

Respecffully submitted,

Chairperson
Committee on Justice

Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations

‘The Honorable
The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._680

Introduced by Representatives Ramon “Red” H. Durano VI, Niel C. Tupas,
Jr,, and Jocelyn S. Limkaichong

AN ACT

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT.
IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE STATIONED IN DANAO CITY,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (H) 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. There is hereby created a branch of the Regional Trial Court in the
Seventh Judicial Region to be stationed in Danao City, Province of Cebu.

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

SEC. 2. The additional Regional Trial Court branch herein created shall have
jurisdiction over cases coming from the City of Danao and the municipalities of Carmen,
Catmon, Sogod, San Francisco, Poro, Pilar and Tudela, all in the Province of Cebu.

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 branch to be stationed in Danao City,


9

Province of Cebu, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Section 14 (h) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 otherwise known as “The
Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980” as amended, and all other laws, rules and
regulation 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,


Republic of the Philippines
House OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House BILLNo.___899

Introduced by Honorable Ramon “Red” H. Durano VI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The City of Danao, in the Province of Cebu, is home to only one
Municipal Trial Court (MTC) and one Regional Trial Court (RTC). These
courts serve the City of Danao and the neighboring municipalities of San
Francisco, Poro, Pilar and Tudela of the Camotes group of islands and the
municipalities of Carmen, Catmon and Sogod in mainland Cebu.

The growth of the city and the towns which are being served by these
courts have brought a lot of opportunities as well as difficulties. Their
population has tremendously ballooned. Their social, political and economic
activities have also greatly increased. With these developments, the
administration of justice, necessary for the continued economic development
and also necessary for implementation of peace and order, has been greatly
hampered by the lack of courts that could handle efficiently the growing
number of cases.

Records from the existing courts show that from 2001 to 2006, there is
an average of 900 pending cases per year. These data show the necessity of
putting up additional court branches so as ensure ready and prompt
administration of justice.

For continued economic development and peace and order, the
efficient administration of justice is of paramount importance. Thus, immediate
approval of this measure is prayed for and recommended.

Red” H. DURANO VI


GR
gE

i& x

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

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO,___ 899 |

Introduced by Honorable Ramon “Red” H. Durano VI

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN
DANAO CITY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Creation. — In addition to the existing regional trial court in
Danao City, there is hereby created one additional Regional Trial Court
branch.

Section 2. Jurisdiction- the additional regional trial court branch herein
created shall have jurisdiction over the City of Danao and the municipalities of
Carmen, Catmon, Sogod, San Francisco, Poro, Pilar and Tudela, all in the
Province of Cebu.

Section 3. Assignment of Cases. — Upon the effectivity of this Act and
subject to the guidelines to be issued by the Supreme Court of the Republic of
the Philippines to implement the provisions of this Act, the existing Regional
Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City shall assign equally such number of
pending and active cases as the Supreme Court may determine to the
additional branch herein created.

Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Supreme
Court of the Republic of the Philippines shall promulgate the rules and
regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Act.


For his part Hon. Tieng manifested that his bill's explanatory note will serve as his sponsorship
speech and added that he is open fo any amendments that the Committee may propose for his
measure

Citing the Anti-Stalking laws of the United States, the Chair mentioned that the enactment of said
faws in that country were fairy recent and was brought about as a result of the death of a celebrity,
Rebecca Schaeffer, who was stalked and killed by her assailant. In the Philippines, however, he said
there is yet no law on stalking and only a civil action for damages under Article 26 of the Civil Code is
what is applicable in the country.

The Chair asked Hon. Tieng if his bill will apply to media men who may, through a series of acts
such as repeated texting, e-mails, phone calls, cause emotional stress to the person they are
covering. In response, Hon. Tieng said if the court finds that the series of acts cause untoward stress
‘on the person, then the court may issue a protection order against them

‘Asked for his comments, Deputy Court Administrator Eugenio opinéd that ifthe stalking undertaken
by the media Is legitimate, will the bill not contravene freedom of the press? A similar sentiment was
expressed by Atty. Alexander Gozon of Globe who said the measure may be construed as a restraint
(on the freedom of expression

‘Admitting that they perform the acts mentioned by the Chair, Mr. John Manalastas, assistant vice
president of GMA 7's.news production, nonetheless asked if the work of media men can be an
exception. The Chair assured him in such a case, the rights of media practitioners will be protected.

Atty. Roy Ibay of SmartiSun Cellular said that they are only responsible for the sending and
receiving of the message and do not have any part in the content which passes through the system.

Meanwhile, P/C. Supt. Christopher Laxa of the Philippine National Police expressed the agency's
support for the measure and informed the body that they filed cases similar to stalking but were only
Classified as unjust vexation. He added that the PNP had also entertained 10 cases of cyberstalking.

After the discussions, Hon. David Kho made a motion for the approval of the measures and for the
creation of a technical working group that will consolidate the 3 bills. The motion was carried and the
‘Chair announced that the bills were approved in principle, subject to amendment and consolidation by
‘a technical working group to be composed of the authors of the 3 bills, Hon. Kho, representatives of
the DOJ, PNP, NBI, and the media sector.

V. Adjournment:
‘The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 am.

Prey

uevarra JAt—

ATTY. NARCISA H.
Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

Committee on Justice