Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon Ci

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

COMMITTEE REPORT NO. _ 2553

Submitted by the Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations on

18 DEC 2012

Re: House Bill No. _ 6782

Recommending its approval in substitution of House Bill No. 6418

Sponsors: Representatives Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Jocelyn S, Limkaichong, and Reynaldo
V. Umali

Mr. Speaker:

The Committee on Justice and the Committee on Appropriations, to which was

referred House Bill No. 6418, introduced by Representative Reynaldo V. Umali,
entitled

“AN ACT
CREATING FOUR ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS IN THE 2P DISTRICT OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO WITH SEATS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA, AND MANSALAY AND ONE (1)
ADDITIONAL REGIONAL TRIAL COURT WITH SEAT IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG, PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL.
MINDORO, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION
14 AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION

ACT OF 1980” AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR”



have considered the same and recommend that the attached House Bill No.

5782’ entitled

“AN ACT
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BONGABONG, AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA, AND
MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL MINDORO,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(E) AND SECTION 30
OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

be approved in substitution of House Bifi No. 6418, with Representatives

Reynaldo V. Umali, Niel C. Tupas, Jr,4nd Jocelyn S. Limkaichong , as authors
thereof.

“JOCELYN S|
Chairperson

CHairperson
Committee on Justice

Committee on Appropriations

‘The Honorable

The Speaker

House of Representatives
Quezon City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
Third Regular Session

6782

HOUSE

ILLNO. _

Introduced by Repre:
Jocelyn S. Limkaichong

tives Reynaldo V. Umali, Niel C. Tupas, Jr, and

AN ACT.
CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL

COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF
BONGABONG, AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA, AND
MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL MINDORO,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14(E) AND SECTION 30 OF
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. An additional branch of the Regional Trial Court to be
stationed in the Municipality of Bongabong and four (4) additional branches
of the Municipal Trial Court to be stationed in the municipalities of Bansud,
Bulalacao, Gloria, and Mansalay, all in the Province of Oriental Mindoro, are
hereby created in the Fourth Judicial Region.

The Supreme Court shall assign the respective branch numbers of the

newly-created Regional Trial Court and Municipal Trial Court branches in the

Fourth Judicial Region.


6

9

10

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 one (1) additional Regional Trial
Court branch to be stationed in the Municipality of Bongabong and four (4)
additional Municipal Trial Court branches to be stationed in the
municipalities of Bansud, Bulalacao, Gloria, and Mansalay, all in the Province
of Oriental Mindoro, the funding of which shall be included in the Annual
General Appropriations Act

SEC. 3. Section 14 (¢) and Section 30 of Batas Pambansa Bilang 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. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete

publication m the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general

circulation,

Approved,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.__ 6418

Introduced by Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 16, Article 111 of our Constitution gives each person the
right to a speedy tial, it provides that: "All persons shall have the
Tight 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. Twenty
seven years have passed since the effectivity of BP 129.

ecause of the increase in our population and the increase in
the volume of cases filed, our court dockets have been clogged and
has resulted in the delay in the resolution of cases.

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.

7 Tn view of the foregoing provisions, the approval of this bill is
earnestly recommended.

Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Vy ;
Shi

‘REYNALDO V. UMALI



Republic of u pines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon Ci

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Re; Session

nousr sino. 6418

Introduced by Honorable REYNALDO V. UMALI

AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURTS IN THE 2%> DISTRICT OF ORIENTAL MINDORO WITH
SEATS IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA,
AND MANSALAY AND ONE (1) ADDITIONAL~REGIONAL- TRIAL
COURT WITH SEAT IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG,
PROVINCE OF ORIENTAL MINDORO, FURTHER AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,"
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the

Philippines in Congress assembled

Trial Courts in the 2
in the municip
y and One (1} ‘additional
in the of

SECTION 1. Four (4) additional Muni
District of Oriental Mini

id, Bulalacao, Gi iy
jal Court branch with se:

Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro in the Fi
hereby created.

SECTION 2. The Sup:
for the ne’

SECTION 3, The Chi
with the Secretary of the Department
include in the Court's p:

funding therefor shall likew
Appropriations Act.

ct. The
ual General

ms 14 (hj and 29 of

SECTION 4. Sei
Re

otherwise known as "The Judiciary
amended, as well as other
herewith, is hereby dee

amended. _


SECTION 8. Effectivitu. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,



‘Republic ofthe Philippines
House of Representatines
Quezon City, Metro Manila

November 20, 2012 me W859

HON. NIEL C. TUPAS, JR.
Chairperson
Committee on Justice

Dear Chairperson Tupas:
Please be informed that the Committee on Appropriations in its meeting held today at

Conference Rooms 3 and 4, Ramon V. Mitra Building, approved to report out the
following bills:

4, Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 182 and 183, titled “AN ACT CREATING FOUR (4)

“ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO (2)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES FOR THE
PROVINCE OF NUEVA ECIJA TO BE STATIONED IN SAN JOSE CITY (2), THE
SCIENCE CITY OF MUNOZ (2), AND THE MUNICIPALITY OF RIZAL, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29, AND SECTION 30 OF
BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS AMENDED. OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR";

2. Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 750, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF BULACAN TO BE
STATIONED IN SAN JOSE DEL MONTE CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SEC.
414, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS "THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

8. Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 899, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF CEBU TO BE
STATIONED IN DANAO CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG 129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

4- Substitute Bill to House Bill Nos. 1422 and 1423, lied “AN ACT CREATING AN
ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE ISLAND GARDEN
CITY OF SAMAL, AND A MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF STO. TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE, AMENDING FOR THE


PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (L) AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.
129, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980', AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 1906, tiled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF MISAMIS
ORIENTAL TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TAGOLOAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SEC. 14, PARAGRAPH (K) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, AS.
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUCIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF
1980, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’;

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4968, tied “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH IN THE THIRD JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF MEYCAUAYAN, PROVINCE OF BULACAN, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

House Bill No, 5341, titled "AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL REGIONAL
TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE PROVINCE OF BUKIDNON TO BE STATIONED (2)
AT THE CITY OF MALAYBALAY AND (1) AT THE CITY OF VALENCIA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION FOURTEEN (14), PARAGRAPH (K), OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ‘JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS.
THEREFOR’,

House Bill No. 5335, titled "AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF
THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE FOURTH JUDICIAL REGION TO BE
STATIONED AT THE CITY OF LUCENA, PROVINCE OF QUEZON, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980', AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5583, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION TO
BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF ORMOC, PROVINCE OF LEYTE, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (I) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

). House Bill No. 5597, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWENTY-TWO (22) ADDITIONAL

BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
JUDICIAL REGION FOR QUEZON CITY, WITH SEATS THEREAT, FURTHER
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 129, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980,’ AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5837, titled “AN ACT CREATING FOURTEEN (14)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND SEVEN (7)
ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT FOR THE PROVINCE
OF TARLAC, TO BE STATIONED AT TARLAC CITY, AND AT THE MUNICIPALITIES
OF PANIQUI, CAPAS, CAMILING, VICTORIA-LA PAZ, CONCEPCION, STA. IGNACIO-
SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERONA, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (C), SECTION 29 AND SECTION 30 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY


32.

AB.

14.

16.

17.

18.

19.

REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR’

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 2306, iitled "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN,
AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 3372, titled "AN ACT CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN THE EIGHT JUDICIAL REGION
TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF CALBAYOG, PROVINCE OF WESTERN
SAMAR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 29 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980°
AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR’,

Substitute Bill to House Bill No, 2958, titled “AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT IN THE PROVINCE OF ISABELA, TO BE
STATIONED IN CAUAYAN CITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (8) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
‘JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED AND APPROPRIATING.
FUNDS THEREFOR’,

. House Bill No. 4670, titled “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL BRANCH OF THE

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED AT THE CITY OF GUIHULNGAN,
PROVINCE OF NEGROS ORIENTAL, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14,
PARAGRAPH (H), OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG, 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ‘THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980’ AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING.
FUNDS THEREFOR”,

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4708, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCHES IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PARANAQUE CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14, PARAGRAPH (0) OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG
129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 AS.
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 4719, titled “AN ACT CREATING TWO (2) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT IN CITIES (MTCC) IN THE
PROVINCE OF QUEZON TO BE STATIONED AT LUCENA CITY, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE “JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

‘Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5566, titled "AN ACT CREATING FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT AND TWO ADDITIONAL BRANCHES
OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL
REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN MALABON CITY, METRO MANILA, AMENDING FOR
THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS
AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR",

Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 5839, titled “AN ACT CREATING FIVE (6) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE REGIONAL TRAIL COURT AND FIVE (5) ADDITIONAL
BRANCHES OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURT IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL


JUDICIAL REGION, TO BE STATIONED IN PASAY CITY, METRO MANILA,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (D) AND SECTION 27 OF BATAS
PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION
ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”, and

20. Substitute Bill to House Bill No. 6448, tilted “AN ACT CREATING AN ADDITIONAL
BRANCH OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF BONGABONG, AND FOUR (4) ADDITIONAL BRANCHES OF THE
MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURT TO BE STATIONED IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF
BANSUD, BULALACAO, GLORIA AND MANSALAY, ALL IN THE PROVINCE OF
ORIENTAL MINDORO, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 14 (E) AND
SECTION 30 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING.
FUNDS THEREFOR”

with omnibus amendment to the proposed appropriations provisions as follows:
Delete the last sentence which reads as follows:

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.

It was also moved that the title of House Bill No. 5837 be amended to reflect the correct
name of the place from STA. IGNACIO - SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND
GERONA TO STA. IGNACIA — SAN CLEMENTE, MONCADA AND GERONA,

JOCEEYNS.
Chairperson
Committee on Appropriations

ce: Rep. Joseph Gibert F. Violago
Rep. Arturo B. Robes
Rep. Ramon ‘Red” H. Durano V1
Rep. Antonio F. Lagdameo, Jr
Rep. Yevgeny Vincent B. Emano
Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Viarica
Rep. Florencio T. Flores, J.
Rep. Irvin M. Alcala
Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez
Rep. Jorge “Bolet” Banal
Rep. Enrique M. Cojyangco
Rep. Susan A Yap
Rep. Godofredo V. Arquiza
Rep. Mel Senen S. Sarmiento
Rep. Napoleon S. Dy
Rep. Edwin L. Olvarez
Rep. Josephine Veronique R. Lacson-Noel
Rep. Imelda Calixto-Rubiano
Rep. Reynaldo V. Unrali


MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE HELD ON 04 SEPTEMBER
2012, TUESDAY, 9:30 A.M. AT CONFERENCE ROOMS 1 & 2, RVM BUILDING, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, QUEZON CITY

GUESTS:
1. ATTY. ANTONIO EUGENIO, JR. ~ Deputy Court Administrator, Supreme Court
ATTY. MANUEL CO - Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Bureau of Corrections
ATTY. PERSIDA ACOSTA — Chief, Public Attorney's Office (PAO)
P/SUPT-II RAMON REYES — OIC, New Bilibid Prison (NBP)
SUPT ANTONIO CRUZ -OIC, Administrative Division, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)
DR. CYNTHIA ANDRADA - OIC, Reception and Diagnostic Center, BuCor
MR. ALFREDO DEVARAS — Chief, BuCor Reservation Support Services (BRSS)
MR. ROLLO ALARCON — Chief, Program Management Office (PMO), BuCor
MR. RAFAEL RAGOS — Deputy Director, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
0. MS. MARIA TERESA DE CASTRO — Sports and Recreation Office, BuCor
1.MR. MELITO GERONIMO, JR. ~ President, Bureau of Corrections Employees’
Association (BUCOREA)
12. DR. RENANTE BASAS — Director IV, Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
13. ATTY. JESSICA GAMBOL SCHUCK ~ Atty. V, CHR

BE OMNDNAWN

|. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Rep. Niel C. Tupas, Jr., Chairman of the Committee on Justice called the meeting to order at
9:52 a.m. The Chairman called on Atty. David Robert Amorin, Service Director of the
Legal/Political Cluster to lead the prayer. Rep. Rodolfo Albano, Jr. then moveid to dispense
with the roll call. The motion was duly seconded and approved.

ll, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 14, 2012 MEETING

Rep. Albano moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve the same.
Both motions were duly seconded and approved.

lll. MEETING PROPER

A. CREATION OF ADDITIONAL COURT SALAS (House Bill Nos. 2306, 2958, 3372, 4265,
4670, 4708, 4719, 5531, 5558, 5566, 5839 and 6418)

The Chairman presented to the members of the Committee the various | ouse Bills creating
additional court salas. He stated that during a meeting of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC),
the members of the JBC agreed that with regard to the creation of new court salas, the
Committee shall base its decisions on the recommendations of the Supreme Court. The
Chairman then called on Deputy Court Administrator Antonio Eugenio, Jr. to comment on
the said House Bills. DCA Eugenio questioned the creation of four (4) Regional Trial Courts
(RTCs) in separate locations in Caloocan City as provided in HB 4265. He stated that the
reason for the splitting of the 4 RTCs into separate locations (Caloocan City Proper and


Caloocan City North Station) must be clarified. DCA Eugenio also deferred his
recommendations on HB 5531 and 5558 in order to conduct further studies on the need for
the creation of additional court salas in Olongapo, Zambales and in Pasig City.

With regard to HB 5566, the Chairman manifested that the author of the bill, Rep. Josephine
Lacson-Noel, has submitted an amendment to the bill such that there w’! be two (2)
additional Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) branches instead of just one (1) in Malabon. DCA
Eugenio expressed his agreement to the amendment and did not interpose any objection
thereto.

Rep. Albano stated that there are some local government units (LGUs) where salas are
provided, but which do not have judges or personnel. He recommended that the funds for
newly created salas be released only upon the actual organization of such courts. DCA
Eugenio agreed to raise this issue to the Court Administrator.

After the comments from DCA Eugenio, the Chairman deferred action on HB Nos, 4265,
5531 and 5558 pending the written recommendation to be submitted by the Office of the
Court Administrator on September 7, 2012. Rep. Albano then made an omnibus motion to
approve the remaining nine (9) bills, subject to form and style, and subject further that the
funds appropriated to such court salas shall be released only upon the actual organization
thereof. The motion was duly seconded and there being no objection, and the :ollowing bills
were approved on the Committee level:

HB No. 2306 re: 5 MeTC (Makati City) by Rep. G. Arquiza;

HB No. 2958 re: 1 RTC (Cauyan, Isabela) by Rep. N. Dy;

HB No. 3372 re: 2 MTC (Calbayog) by Rep. Sarmiento;

HB No. 4670 re: 1 RTC (Guihulngan, Negros Oriental) by Rep. Linkaichong;
HB No. 4708 re: 2 RTC (Parafiaque) by Rep. Olivarez;

HB No, 4719 re: 2 MTCC (Quezon) by Rep. Alcala;

HB No, 5839 re: 5 RTC and 5 MeTC (Pasay) by Rep. Calixto-Rubiano;

HB No. 6418 re: 4 MTC (Oriental Mindoro) by Rep. R. Umali; and,

HB No, 5566 re: 2 MeTC and 5 RTC (Malabon) by Rep. J. Noel

PePnonawnE

B, SUSPENSION OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

After the approval of the omnibus motion of Rep. Albano, the Chairman suspended the
meeting of the Committee in order to give way to the joint meeting of the Committees on
Justice and Government Reorganization. The meeting was suspended at 10:15 a.m.

C, CONTINUATION OF THE DELIBERATION ON THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS
MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2011 (House Bill Nos. 197, 712, 2880, 4619, 4766, 5546,
5741 and 5926, and House Resolution No. 1327)

The meeting of the Committee on Justice resumed at 10:45 a.m. upon the acjournment of
the joint meeting of the Committees on Justice and Government Reorganization. The


Chairman informed the members that the Committee conducted three (3) public hearings
with regard to the BuCor Modernization Act of 2011. These public hearings were held in the
New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, the Correctional Institutio” for Women in
Mandaluyong City, and the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
The Chairman added that the next public hearing will be conducted either in the Sablayan
Penal Colony in Oriental Mindoro or in the Davao Penal Colony in Davao del Sur.

‘After his preliminary remarks, the Chairman asked the resource persons about the status of
the “kubols” found in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP). PSupt. Ramon Reyes answered that not
all of the “kubols” were demolished but were instead restructured wherein each “kubo!”
now houses five (5) inmates. These “kubols” are also now uniform structures. PSupt. Reyes
added that the “living-out” privileges were abolished in response to the recommendations
of the members of the Committee during the public hearing held in the NBP.

The members of the Committee raised questions regarding the “kidnapping” incident
involving Rolito Go last August. Deputy Director Rafael Ragos of the National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) answered that the NBI and the Criminal Investigation and Detection
Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are investigating the incident. However,
Dep. Dir. Ragos stated that the NBI tends to believe the theory of kidnapping, based on the
report submitted by the NBI to the DOJ. He also acknowledged the presence of a syndicate
inside the NBP compound which is involved in these so-called kidnapping incidents.

Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil requested that the BuCor submit to the Committee a copy of the
report of the DOJ regarding the review of the rules and regulations of the 3uCor. BuCor
Administrator Manuel Co agreed to the request of Rep. Bataoil.

Sought for comments on the proposed BuCor Modernization Bill, Dr. Renante Basas of the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expressed his support to the bill, adding that the
modernization of the BuCor will help the Philippines meet the UN standards on the
treatment of prisoners. He also stressed the importance of a human rights-based approach
to prison management.

‘Asked by the Chairman whether there is a need to centralize the jails and penal facilities
under the separate jurisdictions of the BuCor, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,
and provincial jails, Administrator Co replied that a single jail system might be feasible,
under a Department of Corrections. However, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) Chief Presida
Acosta expressed her reservations to such a proposal, claiming that centralization might be
difficult on the management of inmates and detainees. Instead, PAO Chief Acosta proposed
that the only alternative is to strengthen the BuCor.

After the above discussions, the Chairman instructed the BuCor to submit to the Committee
within one week a report on the various issues raised during the meeting, including 1.) the
“kubol” system", 2.) living-out privileges, 3.) illegal drugs, 4.) prostitution, 5.) kidnapping,
and 6.) guns-for-hire.



Rep. David Kho moved that a Technical Working Group (TWG) be created in order to
consolidate all the bills on the modernization of the BuCor. The motion was duly seconded
by Rep. Bataoil, and there being no objection thereto, the motion was carried.

IV. ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Tupas adjourned the meeting at 11:48 a.m.
Prepared by:

ac ‘A. DELORINO

Supervising Legislative Staff Officer-1

Certified Correct by:

ATW. i
Committee Secretary
Committee on Justice

Committee on Justice