NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2242
,5 
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of li-f ^ f. finiT
23 MAY 24 P4 20
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL 
COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITIES OF ROSARIO AND SAN JUAN, PROVINCE OF 
BATANGAS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(E) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 
1980', AS AMENDED
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 16 of Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution unequivocally 
states that - “All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases 
before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies”. Despite such 
constitutional protection, our nation's trial courts remain besieged by escalating 
backlogs and chronic delays due to the constant influx of new cases. Coupled with a 
steadily growing population, the judge-to-people ratio plummets, putting the quality 
and efficiency of justice at risk.
The backlog issue is particularly noticeable in regional trial courts. The 
Regional Trial Court (RTC), located in the Municiplaity of Rosario in the Province of 
Batangas, serves six municipalities, including Ibaan, Lobo, Padre Garcia, Rosario, 
San Juan, and Taysan. These municipalities collectively have a population 
exceeding 400,000. Presently, the Fourth Judicial Branch RTC of Batangas is 
responsible for handling one thousand two hundred (1,200) criminal cases and three


hundred (300) civil cases with just one judge and a team of thirteen court employees. 
This situation clearly deviates from the ideal ratio of 300 cases per branch.
Considering these circumstances, including the current case load and the 
anticipated population growth, there is a pressing need to create at least five (5) 
additional court branches within the Fourth Judicial Branch for the efficient 
dispensation of justice.
The establishment of five (5) additional branches of the Regional Trial Court 
within the Fourth Judicial Region of the Province of Batangas, comprising four (4) 
RTC branches in the Municipality of Rosario and one (1) RTC branch in the 
Municipality of San Juan, might not completely eradicate the issue of case delays. 
However, this measure will certainly be a substantial stride towards alleviating case 
backlog and expediting the resolution of cases.
With the existence of House Bill No. 8254 primarily authored by Rep. Lianda 
B. Bolilia of the 4th District of the Province of Batangas and which seeks the 
establishment of additional five (5) RTC branches in the Fourth Judicial Region of 
the Province of Batangas.
In recognition of our duty to honor and uphold our citizens' constitutional right 
to speedy and just resolution of their cases, I seek the immediate approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILt^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2242
.... j S5>enn'f
jk,)
of tiip etii'']’
23 may 24 P4:20
RECEIVED BV:
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL 
COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN THE 
MUNICIPALITIES OF ROSARIO AND SAN JUAN, PROVINCE OF 
BATANGAS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR 
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(E) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 
1980', AS AMENDED
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assem bled:
1 
SECTION 1. Five (5) additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in the
2 
Fourth Judicial Region are hereby created and stationed in the Province of Batangas
3 
as follows:
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(a) Four (4) branches in the Municipality of Rosario; and
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(b) One (1) branch in in the Municipality of San Juan.
6 
The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch number for the newly-
7 
created branches of the Regional Trial Court.
8 
SEC. 2. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination with the
9 
Secretary of the Department of Justice, shall immediately include in the Court’s
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program the operationalization of additional branches of the Regional Trial Court in
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the Municipalities of Rosario and San Juan, Province of Batangas.


1 
SEC. 3. The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including
2 
appropriations for personnel services such as salaries, benefits and emoluments for
3 
judges and court personnel, court operations under maintenance and other operating
4 
expense (MOOE), and provisions for Halls of Justice or courtrooms to accommodate
5 
judges and court staff, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
6 
Sec. 4. Section 14(e) of Batas Pambansa Big. 129, otherwise known as “the
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Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, as amended, and all other laws, rules and
8 
regulations that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
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modified accordingly.
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SEC. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
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Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,