FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1723

House Bill No._
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for additional fifteen (15) days sick leave and fifteen
(15) days vacation leave benefits on top of the sick leave and vacation leave
privileges provided for by law to the judges of the Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
and Shari'a Circuit Courts.

Pursuant to Section 271 of the Revised Administrative Code, as amended by
Republic Act Nos. 1802 and 4307, judges of the Court of Tax Appeals, Regional
Trial Courts, Family Courts and Shari'a District Courts earn sixty (60) days leave
credits, thirty (30) days of which are forfeitable and spent exclusive of Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays.

On the other hand, pursuant to Section 98-A of Republic Act No. 296, as
amended by Republic Act Nos. 843 and 3086, judges of the Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Shari'a Circuit Courts earn fifteen (15) days
vacation leave and fifteen (15) days sick leave. Said leave are cumulative and spent
exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The grant of additional fifteen (15) days sick leave and fifteen (15) days
vacation leave benefits to judges of the Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial
Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Court and Shari'a Circuit
Court will put them at par with their colleagues in the Regional Trial Court and
Shari'a District Court.

Judges are routinely expected to put in more than eight (8) hours in their
offices, excluding the work they sometimes bring to their homes. This long hours of
work over a long period of time affects the emotional, mental and even
psychologically well-being of judges.

Thus, the need to take time to rest as a respite from their voluminous work
loads. The need to provide additional forfeitable leave benefits to the members of


the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in cities,
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts and Shari'a Circuit Courts cannot be over emphasized.

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

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Mr

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

17293

House Bill No.
AN ACT
PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN (15) DAYS SICK LEAVE AND FIFTEEN (15)
DAYS VACATION LEAVE ANNUALLY TO ALL JUDGES OF THE
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS AND SHARI’A
CIRCUIT COURTS

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

SECTION 1. Judges of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts and Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be entitled
annually to additional fifteen (15) days sick leave and fifteen (15) days vacation
leave with pay on top of the fifteen (15) days vacation leave and fifteen days sick
leave privileges provided for by law. In the computation thereof Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays shall be excluded and such additional fifteen (15) days sick
leave and fifteen (15) days vacation leave privileges shall be non-cumulative and
non-convertible to cash.

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
after the effectivity of this Act, the Supreme Court shall promulgate the rules and

regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
issuances, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication in at least any two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,