Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

2552

COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

Submitted by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations on

——18 DEC_2012 ____
Re: House Bill No._6'784

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 4968

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S, Limkaichong, and Linabelle
Ruth R, Villarica

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was
referred House Bill No. 4968, introduced by Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica ,
entitled:

“AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH
IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY
OF MEYCAUAYAN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE”

have ‘considered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No.
6782 entittea:


“AN ACT

CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH
IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT THE
CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) 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. 4968 with Representatives Linabelle Ruth R.
Villarica, Niel C. Tupas, Jr., and Jocelyn, $Limkaichong , as authors thereof.

Respectfully submitted,

Chairperson CHairperson
Committee on Appropriations Chmmittee on Justice

The Honorable

The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House sit No.__ 6781

Introduced by Representatives Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, Niel C. Tupas, Jr,
and Jocelyn 5. Limkaichong

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN
THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF
MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) 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 Third Judicial Region to be stationed in the City of Meycauayan,
Province of Bulacan.

The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly-
created Regional Trial Court branch in the Third Judicial Region which shall
have jurisdiction over cases coming from the 4! District of Bulacan and such
cities or municipalities of the said province as the Supreme Court may deem
necessary.

SEC. 2, 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


9

be stationed in the City of Meycauayan, Province of Bulacan, the funding of
which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 3. Section 14 (c) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known
as “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980” as amended, and all other laws,

ich are inconsistent with this Act are hereby

rules and regulations w!
amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. 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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

496+
HOUSE BILL No, 49638

Introduced by Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica
4" District, Bulacan

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Regional Trial Courts in Bulacan with seats in the City of Malolos have 12,330
pending cases as of December 2009. Most the branches have a case load of over 200
cases. This number does not account for the new cases that may be filed and/or raffled
to each branch.

This bill seeks to create an additional Regional Trial Court to address the issue of case
congestion in the province and to ensure the speedy disposition of cases. The seat of

this additional regional trial court shall be in Meycauayan City in order to widen the
latitude of access to justice by the poor.

Tn view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Sasi

REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
4963
House sino, 4983

Introduced by Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica
4" District, Bulacan

AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN
‘THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF
MEYCAUAYAN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129 OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,

AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE

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

Section 1. Section 14, Paragraph (g) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 otherwise known as
the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended, is hereby further amended to
read as follows:
“Sec. 14. Regional Trial Courts. ©
XXX

(c) [Ninety six] NINETY SEVEN Regional Trial Judges shall be
commissioned for the Third Judicial Region. There shall be:

XXX

[Twenty seven] TWENTY EIGHT branches for the province of
Bulacan with seats at Malolos AND MEYCAUAYAN;

XXX”


Section 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the additional Regional Trial Court branch in
the City of Meycauayan.

Section 3. The Supreme Court shall cause the construction of the office of the additional
Regional Trial Court branch Meycauayan City and the assignment of the presiding Judge
thereat.

Section 4. 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 Regional Trial Court branch in the Province of
Bulacan with seat at the City of Meycauayan, the funding for which shall be included in
the General Appropriations Act.

Section 5. All laws, rules and regulations, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act,
are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

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

Approved


November 20, 2012

HON. NIEL C. TUPAS, JR.

Republic af the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manile

Chairperson
Committee on Justice

Dear Chairperson Tupas:

Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at
Conference Rooms 3 and 4, Ramon V. Mitra Building, approved to report out the

following bills:

4

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 182 and 183, titled "AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO (2)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES FOR THE
PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA TO BE STATIONED IN SAN JOSE CITY (2), THE
‘SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ (2), AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29, AND SECTION 30 OF
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 750, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TO BE
STATIONED IN SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC.
14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 899, titled "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 74,
PARAGRAPH (H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND.

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN
ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN
CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE


PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION 30 OF BAT:
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY
ACT OF 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 1906, tied “AN ACT CREATING
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVIN

ORIENTAL TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOL <n VING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (k) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980", AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4968, tited “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”;

House Bill No. 5341, titled "AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE STATIONED (2)
AT THE CITY OF MALAYBALAY AND (1) AT THE CITY OF VALENCIA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION FOURTEEN (14), PARAGRAPH (kK), OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS

THEREFOR’,

House Bill No. 5335, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF
THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5583, titled "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION TO
BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA ALG, 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 'THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980' AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No. 5597, tited "AN ACT CREATING TWENTY-TWO (22) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
JUDICIAL REGION FOR QUEZON CITY, WITH SEATS THEREAT, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980," AS AMENDED, AND

APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR":

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5837, titled “AN ACT CREATING FOURTEEN (14)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND SEVEN (7)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT FOR THE PROVINCE
OF TARLAC, TO BE STATIONED AT TARLAC CITY, AND AT THE MUNICIPALITIES
OF PANIQUI, CAPAS; CAMILING, VICTORIA-LA PAZ, CONCEPCION, STA. IGNACIO-
SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERONA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29 AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 128, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY



14

15.

16.

17.

18.

18.

REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR’,

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2306, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 3372, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF CALBAYOG, PROVINCE OF WESTERN
SAMAR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980'
‘AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2958, titled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA, TO BE
STATIONED IN CAUAYAN CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (8) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No. 4870, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, 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”,

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4708, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PARANAQUE CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (0) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4718, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES (MTCC) IN THE
PROVINCE OF QUEZON TO BE STATIONED AT LUCENA CITY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5566, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES.
OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MALABON CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG, 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS

AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOT
Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5839, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL

BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL



20.

JUDICIAL REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR", and

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 6418, tilted "AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG, AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF
BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA AND MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (E) AND
SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING

FUNDS THEREFOR"

with omnibus amendment to the proposed appropriations provisions as follows:

Delete the last sentence which reads as follows:

THE FUNDS NECESSARY FOR THE OPERATION OF THE COURT HEREIN
CREATED SHALL BE APPROPRIATED AND RELEASED ONLY UPON THE
ACTUAL ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT AND THE APPOINTMENT OF

ITS PERSONNEL.

It was also moved that the title of House Bill

5837 be amended to reflect the correct

name of the place from STA. IGNACIO - SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND

GERONA TO STA. IGNACIA - SAN CLEMI

Chairperson

E, MONCADA AND GERONA.

Committee on Appropriations

Rep. Joseph Gibert F. Violago
Rep. Arturo B. Robes

Rep. Ramon “Red” H. Durano VI

Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, sr

Rep. Yevgeny Vincent B. Emano

Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Vlarica

Rep. Florencio T. Flores, dr

Rep. Irvin M. Alcala

Rep, Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez

Rep. Jorge "Bolet” Banal

Rep. Enrique M. Cojuangeo

Reo. Susan A. Yap

Rep. Godotredo V. Arquiza

Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento

Rep. Napoleon S. Dy

Rep. Edwin L_ Olvarez

Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noe!
Rep. Imelda Calixto-Rubéano

Rep. Reynaido V. Uma


She

the,
sap

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 14 AUGUST
2012 AT CONFERENCE ROOM NOS. 9 & 10, R.V. MITRA BLDG, HOUSE OF

REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

INVITED GUESTS | RESOURCE PERSONS:

DEPUTY COURT ADMINISTRATOR ANTONIO EUGENIO, JR. - OFFICE OF THE COURT

ADMINISTRATOR, SUPREME COURT (OCA-SC)
PIC.SUPT. CHRISTOPHER LAXA ~ PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP)

ATTY.ARNALDO DIZON ~ PRESIDENT, INTEGRATED BAR OF THE PHILIPPINES ~ TARLAC.
MR. JOHN MANALASTAS ~ ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT, NEWS PRODUCTION - GMA 7

ATTY. ROY IBAY — SMART/SUN CELLULAR

ATTY. MICHAEL URETA ~ PLDT.
ATTY. ALEXANDER GOZON — GLOBE TELECOM

1. Call to Order:
Hon. Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Justice, called the meeting to order at
1000 am.
W Roll Call:
Upon the duly seconded motion of Hon. Lucy Gomez, the roll call was dispensed with

M. Preliminary Remarks:

After acknowledging the presence of some House members in the meeting, Hon. Tupas informed
the body thal the first part of the meeting's agenda will deal with House Bills on the Creation of Court
Salas and those proposing an Anti-Stalking Act. Thereafter, he said the Justice Committee will
adjourn and reconvene to meet in a joint meeting with the Committee on Government Reorganization
to deliberate on the measures regarding the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC).

IV. Deliberation Proper:
A. Creation of Additional Court Salas:

‘The following measures seek to create additional court salas, to wit:

182 re: 2RTC/2 MTC ( San Jose City, Nueva Ecija) by Rep. J. Violago
183 re: 2 RTC (Science City of Mufioz and Rizal - Nueva Ecija)

by Rep. J. Violago
HB No. 750 re: 1 RTC (San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan) by Rep. A. Robes
HB No. 899 re: 1 RTC (Danao City, Cebu) by Rep. R. Duran
HB No. 1422 re: 1MTC (Sto. Tomas, Davao de!Norte) by Rep. A. Lagdameo
HB No. 1423 re: 1 RTC (island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte )

by Rep. A. Lagdameo

HB No. 1906 re: 1 RTC (Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental) by Rep. Y. Emano
HB No, 4968 re: 1 RTC (Meycauayan, Bulacan) by Rep. L. Villarica
HB No. 5341 re: 3 RTC (Malaybalay and Valencia, Bukidnon) by Rep. F. Flores
HB No, 5535 re: 2 RTC (Lucena City, Quezon) by Rep. |. Alcala
HB No. 5583 re: 1 RTC (Ormoc City, Leyte) by Rep. L. Gomez
HB No. 5597 re: 22 MTC (Quezon City, Metro Manila) by Rep. J. Banal
HB No. 5837 re: 14 RTC & 7 MTC (Tarlac City, Paniqui, Capas, Camiling, Concepcion,
Victoria-La Paz, Sta. Ignacio-San Clemente, Moncada & Gerona - Tarlac) by Reps. E.

Cojuangeo and S. Yap

* HE No
+ HB No,

Upon observing that many of the authors were not present to sponsor their respective measures,
the Chair nonetheless said that he will relax the Committee's policy that only those bills, whose


authors are present, will be taken up since this meeting was the first after the impeachment hearings.
He requested Justice Antonio Eugenio, Jr., Deputy Court Administrator of the Supreme Cour, to
comment on the proposals for the creation of additional court salas.

The Deputy Court Administrator said that legisiative measures seeking to create new courts are
always welcome and added that the basis of the number of court salas proposed to be created was
the recommendation of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA). Asked by the Chair if the
proposal under House Bill No, 5597, authored by Hon. Jorge Banal, for the creation of 22 additional
Municipal Trial Court (MTC) branches was recommended by the OCA, Justice Eugenio answered in
the affirmative

Meanwhile, Hon. Susan Yap, one of the authors of HB No. 5837, gave her sponsorship speech
Where she emphasized the urgent need to create additional court salas in her area because of the
huge backlog of cases in the courts’ docket Her statement was backed up by Mr. Amaldo Dizon,
President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) —Tarlac, who said that upon coordination with
the judges of Tarlac, there is a backlog of 6,000 cases still pending in the courts.

Upon hearing this, Justice Eugenio commented that the ideal caseload target is 300 cases for the
RTCs and 500 cases for the MTCs. Given the huge number of cases in the Tarlac courts, he said the

creation of new courts is imperative.

For her part, Hon. Gomez, author of HB No. 5583, said that her bill seeks the creation of an
additional RTC branch in Ormoc, Leyte in order to decongest the dockets of the 2 existing RTC
branches. She stressed that these 2 branches, Branch 12 and Branch 235, have a caseload of 774
and 769 cases, respectively.

Similarly, Hon, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, author of HB No, 4968, proposed for the creation of an
additional RTC branch in Meycauayan, Bulacan citing the 12,330 cases pending in the courts’ dockets
as the basis for such proposal. She added that while the seat of the proposed new branch will be in
Meycauauyan, the court will service the judicial needs of 4 other towns in Bulacan.

‘After the 3 authors made their sponsorship speeches and responded to some queries, Hon.
Gomez moved for the omnibus approval of all the bills proposing for the creation of additional court

Salas which was duly seconded by Hon. David Kho. The motion was carried.

Hon. Yap manifested that an amendment be made in her bill, providing for 1 RTC branch each for
Capas and Concepcion, Tariac.

In reply to the inquiry of Hon. Villarica regarding the budget for the creation of the new court salas,
the Chair explained the process involved in considering the funding provisions of bills proposing the
same. He however emphasized that usually, itis up to the bill's author to follow up the funding but
added that there are sufficient funds for the creation of necessary court salas. He also added that in
similar bills approved by the Senate earlier on, the upper chamber introduced an amendment to the
funding provision of court sala bills which provides that “funds necessary for the operation of the
newly-created court shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual organization of the court

and appointment of its personnel.”

B. Anti- Stalking Act:

The Committee next deliberated on HB Nos. 3367, 5099 and 6114 respectively authored by
Hons.Saivador Escudero il), Diosdado Arroyo and Irwin Tieng, proposing an Anti ~ Stalking Act.

Before giving the floor to Hon. Tieng, the Chair reminded the guests and resource persons to
attend the Committee's meetings when invited to, otherwise, a subpoena may be issued to compel
their attendance to the meeting. The Chair gave this stem reminder after he was informed that there
Was no representative from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to attend the meeting despite

being sent an invitation


For his part Hon. Tieng manifested that his bill's explanatory note will serve as his sponsorship
speech and added that he Is open to 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
Jaws in that country were fairly 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 sald
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 opined that if the stalking undertaken
by the media is legitimate, will the bil 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 exoression.
‘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 Smart/Sun 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.

Prepared by:

ATTY, NARCISA H. GUEVARRA JA(—
Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

Lc. TUPAS, Jr

Chairmat
‘Committee on Justice