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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress yi
1 Regular Session ly
HOUSE BILL NO. 7492 0 INDEX

Introduced by Rep. Ricardo T. Kho and Rep. Olga “Ara” T. Kho

Explanatory Note

Clogged dockets are the most vivid representations of how 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 Masbatefios pursuant to the state
policy enshrined under Section 16, Article III 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 Masbatefios is earnestly sought.

GA “ ARA?-F~K
District Masbate

REPRESS

i”
fe” E-Filed
= RECEIVED
= DATE March 7,

* TIME 1:01 pm be
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Nineteenth Congress
1 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.7492

Introduced by Rep. Ricardo T. Kho and Rep. Olga “Ara “ 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. 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.

SEC. 2. The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number of the newly created
branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Fifth Judicial Region.

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
operationalization of the additional branch of the Regional Trial Court in Burias
Island, Municipality of San Pascual, Province of Masbate, the funding of which shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 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.

SEC. 4. Section 14 (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.

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

Approved,