Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

—
HOUSE BILLNo,_ 9938

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARC DOUGLAS C. CAGAS IV

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN
THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF
DIGOS, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980," AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Enshrined within the Bill of Rights of our Constitution is Section 16 of Article II,
which gives each person the right to a speedy trial and provides that:
have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi
administrative bodies."

This burden must be mostly handled by the courts as they interpret the law and
dispense justice. It is but logical therefore that their number should increase as our
general population continually grows. To do otherwise would work an injustice for the
individuals who need the intervention of these same courts as there is an ever-growing
increase in the number of cases assigned to the already over-burdened trial courts.

Case in point, the existing three (3) branches of the Regional Trial Court of Digos
City have a combined caseload of 1,886 active cases on its dockets, or an average of 629
cases per branch. Working 25 days a month, each court must hold trial for roughly 25
cases for each and every day just to be able to hear all its cases at least once a month.
Clearly, these numbers cannot be achieved without compromising the integrity of the law
or the health of the court’s personnel. The increase in population meant an increase in
the volume of cases filed, causing clogged court dockets has resulted in the delay in the
resolution of cases.

‘Twenty-Seven years ago, the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (BP 129)
allotted the corresponding number of courts per judicial region based on the exigencies
existing at that time, Piecemeal legislation has amended this law increasing the number
of branches in some specific judicial regions, not including Digos City of the Eleventh
Judicial Region.

In order to improve the disposition and administration of justice and to ensure the
right to a speedy trial, the number of courts must necessarily be increased.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is most eamestly recommended,

CUD a

MARC DOUGLAS C.CAGAS IV


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._9933

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARC DOUGLAS C. CAGAS IV

AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN
THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF
DIGOS, PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 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. An additional Regional Trial Court branch for Digos City, Davao
del Sur, with seat thereat, is hereby created in the Eleventh Judicial Region.

‘SEC. 2, The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch number for the
newly created branch.

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 implementation of this Act. The funding therefor shall likewise be included in the
annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 4. Section 14 (1) of Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, otherwise known as "The
Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980," as amended, as well as other provisions that may
be inconsistent herewith, is hereby deemed repealed, modified and/or further amended.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) national newspapers of ‘general circulation.

Approved,

CMD Clowae

MARC DOUGLAS C. CAGAS IV