Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nol 061

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizeaya

AN ACT
CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS
IN THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA VIZCAYA, TO BE STATIONED AT THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF DIADI, QUEZON, STA. FE, AND ALFONSO CASTANEDA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOW
AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Burgeoning caseloads, which contributes to delays in case disposition, has been a key
challenge in the Philippine justice system. It is a common knowledge that in our country, too many
cases are being tried by too few courts and judges. As new cases pile up, court dockets get clogged
and the legal principle that “justice delayed is justice denied” slowly loses its significance.

Another factor which hampers the speedy disposition of cases in the Philippines is the
distance and travel time of the litigants who come from far flung areas. Geographic distance between
the litigants and the court makes it difficult for the parties to attend hearings and as a result,
postponements become inevitable.

In the Province of Nueva Vizcaya, specifically in the municipalities of Diadi, Quezon, Sta
Fe, and Alfonso Castaneda, litigants and respondents have to travel to another municipality — Diadi
to Bagabag, Quezon to Villaverde, Sta. Fe to Aritao, and Alfonso Castaneda to Dupax del norte — in
order to attend to the hearings of their cases. This is for the simple reason that there are no trial
courts in these municipalities. As far as litigants and respondents from Alfonso Castaneda are
concemed, they have to travel at least ONE HUNDRED FORTY FOUR (144) kilometres and pass
through San Jose City, Nueva Ecija just to prosecute and advance their claims before the Municipal
Circuit Trial Court of Dupax de Norte, Nueva Vizcaya.

This Bill seeks to create four (4) new Municipal Trial Courts in the Province of Nueva
Vizcaya that will help address the delay in the resolution of cases and the needs of the growing

populace by bringing the courts closer to them. Additionally, creating these additional trial courts
would result to the prompt disposition of cases and unclogging court dockets.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

4 of LLOREN CUARESMA


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nol 061

Introduced by Rep. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma
Lone District of Nueva Vizcaya

AN ACT
CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS
IN THE PROVINCE OF NUEVA VIZCAYA, TO BE STATIONED AT THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF DIADI, QUEZON, STA. FE, AND ALFONSO CASTANEDA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOW
AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980”, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Four (4) additional Municipal Trial Court (MTC) Branches with seats at Diadi.
Quezon, Sta. Fe, and Alfonso Castaneda, are hereby created for the Province of Nueva Vizcaya.

Section 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch numbers for the newly-
created branches.

Section 3. Funding. - 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 implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the available appropriations of the Judiciary under the current General
Appropriations Act. Thereafier, the funding therefor shall likewise be included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act. The funds necessary for the operations of the Courts herein created
shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual organizations of the courts and the
appointment of its personnel.

Section 4. Repealing Clause. — Section 30 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as
“The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, as well as other provisions that may be
inconsistent herewith, are deemed repealed, modified, and/or further amended.

Section 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the approval
of this Act, the Supreme Court, in consultation with the Secretary of Budget and Management, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act.

Section 6. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,