NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to create one (1) branch of Regional Trial Court (RT) in the Tenth Judicial 
Region to be stationed in the City of El Salvador, Misamis Oriental. 
Section 16, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, "All persons shall have 
the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative 
bodies." The Constitution mandates the Judiciary to deliver speedy and equal justice for all. 
At present, El Salvador City is a 6th class component city in the province of Misamis Oriental. 
According to the 2020 census, it has a growing population of 58,771. The combined population 
in nearby municipalities and the City of El Salvador City is at 214,492. 
The Supreme Court's annual reports cite the perennial problem of clogged dockets, case 
delay, and scarce resources that continue to beset the Judiciary. Furthermore, congestion and 
slow court administrative systems exacerbate the situation. As of December 2021, the 
disposition rate of the Tenth Judicial Region is still at 38%. The Strategic Plan for Judicial 
Innovations (2022-2027) attributes these problems to scarce resources, poor court-to-
population ratio, among others. 
This proposal to create an additional branch seeks to proactively address the court-to-
population ratio and the growing demand for the immediate resolution of cases. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly requested. 
RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
April 12, 2023
6:30 pm
7845


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
CREATING ONE (1) ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE 
TENTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE STATIONED IN EL SALVADOR CITY, PROVINCE OF 
MISAMIS ORIENTAL, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE SECTION 14(k) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 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 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. One (1) additional branch of the Regional Trial Court in the Tenth Judicial Region 
is hereby created and stationed in El Salvador City, Province of Misamis Oriental. 
The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch numbers for the newly created 
branches of the Regional Trial Court 
SEC. 2. 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 the El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental.  
SEC. 3. 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 (MOOE), and provisions 
for Halls of Justice or court rooms to accommodate judges and court staff, shall be included 
in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 4. Section 14 (k) 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. 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette 
or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7845