Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._1175

Introduced by Rep. Arturo B. Robes

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The aim of this bill is to provide the constituents of the City of San Jose Del Monte (CSIDM)
with greater access to courts and ensure the prompt disposition of cases.

At present, the CSDM has only two Regional Trial Courts (RCs). One of these courts has
over 2,500 pending cases, while the other has approximately 1,500. To reach an ideal clearance rate,
the RTCs in CSIDM should have a caseload of around 300 to 450 cases.

‘The congestion in court dockets can be attributed to CSJDM’s population nearing 900,000'—
not including the influx of relocates who have moved into the area. Its population is several times
higher than that of other municipalities and cities in the province. With its rapid economic growth,
which provides greater business and job opportunities, its population will continue to increase
significantly. Inevitably, with continued development and population growth, case filings will increase,
leading to further congestion in the dockets of the RTCs.

Because of the overwhelming number of cases, hearings are often scheduled every three to six
months, significantly delaying the resolution process. This slow pace gives truth to the adage, “Justice
delayed is justice denied,” and undermines the constitutional mandate that “all persons shall have the
right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.”*

The establishment of an additional RTC will ease the burden on existing courts and strengthen
the justice system by ensuring more timely and accessible resolution of cases.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is eamestly sought.

ARTURO B. ROBES

* https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phed/2022-
12/Cities%2520and%2520Municipalities%2520Population%2520Projections_2015CBPP_Phils.pdf
Section 16, Article Ill of the 1987 Constitution.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1175

Introduced by Rep. Arturo B. Robes

AN ACT CREATING EIGHT (8) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE CITY OF SAN
JOSE DEL MONTE, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980", AS AMENDED

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

SECTION 1. Eight (8) additional branches of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in the Third Judicial
Region are hereby created and stationed in the City of San Jose Del Monte Bulacan, Province of
Bulacan.

‘The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch numbers for the newly created branches
of the RTC.

SEC. 2. An Office of the Clerk of Court (OCC) shall be created and organized with the
corresponding plantilia based on the number of branches of the RTC.

SEC. 3. ‘The Chief of 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 branches of the RTC in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Province of Bulacan. The Supreme
Court shall issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act and if
warranted, the realignment of seats of existing branches and their territorial jurisdiction.

SEC. 4. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including appropriations for
personnel services such as salaries, benefits, and emoluments for judges and court personnel, court
operations under maintenance and other operating expenses, and provisions for Halls of Justice or
courtrooms to accommodate judges and court staff, as well as funds necessary for the implementation
of automatically created prosecutor positions pursuant to Section 13 of Republic Act No. 10071 or the
“Prosecution Service Act of 2010” and appointment of public attorneys pursuant to Section 7 of
Republic Act No. 9406 or the Act reorganizing and strengthening the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO),
resulting from the creation of these courts, including appropriations for personnel services such as
salaries, benefits, and emoluments for prosecutors and public attorneys, shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

‘The funds necessary for the operation of the courts herein created shall be appropriated and
released only upon the actual organization of the court and the appointment of its personnel.


SEC. 5. The RTC in the City of San Jose Del Monte, Province of Bulacan, shall have Ten (10)
branches, including the existing Two (2) branches, namely branches 5 and 120. The minimum staffing
pattern of each branch shall be as follows:

No, of Positions Position Title Salary Grade
T Regional Trial Court Judge | 29
1 Clerk of Court V 24
1 Court Legal Researcher II 15
1 Interpreter III 12
4 Court Stenographer IIT 12
1 Sheriff 1V 12
2 Clerk IIL 6
1 Process Server 5

1 Utility Worker I 1
B Personnel

‘The Staff complement of the OCC shall be composed of Twenty-four (24) personnel, unless
the same is modified as may be determined by the Supreme Court.

In addition, there shall be appointed corresponding number of prosecutor/s and public
attomney/s and their support staff based on the ration outlined in Republic Act No. 10071 and Republic
Act No, 9406, respectively.

SEC. 6. Section 14(c) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as “The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, and all other laws, rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 7. ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette
or in the newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,