REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, __ 4231

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

Explanatory Note

Section 16, Article III of our Constitution guarantees every Filipino the right to a speedy trial.
The aforesaid section states, “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their
cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”

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. However, twenty-nine
years have passed since its enactment.

In recent years, many municipalities have experienced an increase in their economic activity
prompting an increase in domestic migration. Urbanization in many municipalities presented
numerous opportunities for its people as well as difficulties in ensuring that the rights of their
constituents are addressed.

Such condition likewise is observed in the Municipalities of Candijay and Valencia in the
Province of Bohol. With the enhancement of economic and commercial activities in these
two (2) municipalities, the disputes arising out of or in connection with different commercial
activities have also risen as well.

The creation of additional courts, as proposed herein, is necessary to declog the dockets of
the existing courts in the Province and ensure that we realize the Constitutional principle on
accessibility and effective delivery of justice. 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 measure is earnestly sought.

HON. KRISTINE/ALEXIE B. TUTOR


REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4231
House Bill No.

Introduced by HON. KRISTINE ALEXIE B. TUTOR
Third District, Bohol

AN ACT

CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED AT THE
MUNICIPALITY OF CANDIJAY, AND AT THE MUNICIPALITY OF VALENCIA,
BOTH IN THE PROVINCE OF BOHOL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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. Two (2) additional Regional Trial Court branches for the
Municipality of Candijay, and Municipality of Valencia, Province of Bohol, with
seat thereat, is hereby created in the Seventh Judicial Region.

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
10 program the implementation of this Act. The funding therefor shall likewise be
11 included in the annual General Appropriations Act. The funds necessary for the
12 operation of the Court herein created shall be appropriated and released only upon
13 the actual organization of the Court and the appointment of its personnel.
14
15 SEC. 4. Section 14(h) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as
16 “The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, as well as other

1
2
3
4
5 SEC. 2, The Supreme Court shall assign the branch number for the newly
6
7
8
9


aur wne

provisions that may be inconsistent herewith, are hereby deemed repealed,
modified, and/ or further amended.

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

general circulation.

Approved,