Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
1st   Regular Session 
    HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
_____________________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Clogged dockets are the most vivid representations of how a delay in the delivery of 
justice amounts to its denial. Each day that a case is left to rot in the docket translates to a day 
more of wait for one unjustly accused, or another denied of a rightful claim. 
At present, there are only a few Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branches in Masbate that 
serve the whole province. The heavy caseload and growing number of cases each day pose 
notable challenges to these few RTC branches. 
Thus, to hasten the speedy disposition of cases to Masbateños pursuant to the state policy 
enshrined under Section 16, Article lIl of the 1987 Constitution, this bill seeks to create an 
additional RTC branch in the Municipality of San Pascual in the First Congressional District of 
Masbate. This RTC Branch shall exercise jurisdiction over the whole Island of Burias, one of the 
major islands in the Province of Masbate and has two municipalities, namely Claveria and San 
Pascual. 
The Office of the Court Administrator has expressed support to the passage of this bill. 
They opined that with the growing population of San Pascual and Claveria, which was at 86,591 
in 2020 per that year's census, increase in the number of crimes is inevitable, which is why the 
creation of an RTC Branch in Burias Island is imperative, 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this proposed measure that will bring 
accessible and efficient delivery of justice to Masbateños is earnestly sought. 
REP. ELISA T.  KHO, M.D.,FPCCP
REP.  ANTONIO T. KHO 
July 21, 2025
12:15 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
Twentieth Congress 
1st   Regular Session 
    HOUSE BILL NO.___ 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Rep. Elisa T.  Kho and Rep. Antonio T.  Kho 
______________________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN 
THE FIFTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF 
SAN PASCUAL, BURIAS ISLAND, PROVINCE OF MASBATE, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (F) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS 
AMENDED, 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. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "San Pascual, Burias Island Regional 
Trial Court Branch Act." 
SECTION 2. Creation of an Additional Regional Trial Court Branch. One (1) additional 
Regional Trial Court branch is hereby created in the Fifth Judicial Region with a seat in the 
Municipality of San Pascual, Burias Island, Province of Masbate. 
SECTION 3. Assignment of Branch Number. The Supreme Court shall assign the branch 
number of the newly created branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Fifth Judicial Region. 
SECTION 4. Operationalization and Appropriations. 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 additional branch of the Regional Trial Court in 
Burias Island, Municipality of San Pascual, Province of Masbate. The funds necessary for the 
operation of the Court herein created, including appropriations for personnel services such as 
salaries, benefits, and emoluments for the judge and court personnel, court operations under 
maintenance and other operating expenses, and provisions for Halls of Justice or courtroom to 
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accommodate the judge and court staff, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. The funds shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual organization of the Court 
and the appointment of its personnel. 
SECTION 5. Amendatory Clause. Section 14, paragraph (f) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, 
otherwise known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980," as amended, and all other laws, 
rules and regulations that may be inconsistent with this Act, are hereby amended, repealed, or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions hereof not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. 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,