SB: Creation of courts by Congress to declog dockets

MANILA, Philippines - The 15th Congress had passed laws creating court branches nationwide to upgrade and expand the country’s judicial system, according to Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. 

“These laws establish more court branches in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to hasten the de-clogging of court dockets and promote judicious dispensation of justice, especially for the poor,” he said. Congressional records showed from the start of the 15th Congress in July 2010 until its adjournment last Feb. 6, President Aquino signed into law some 25 separate bills creating 44 regional trial courts (RTCs), 13 metropolitan trial courts (MTCs), and four municipal trial courts.

Belmonte yesterday said the subsequent passage of bills now under review at the Office of the President, or awaiting enrollment of approved copies and submission to Aquino, when signed into law, would create additional RTCs, MTCs and municipal courts.

“The people should also be aware that the Office of the President is swamped with more than 70 measures of national scope and some 225 local bills of equal importance, undergoing the necessary review and awaiting enactment,” he said.

The establishment of RTCs and other courts is considered as national laws since these are funded through the General Appropriations Act.

The new courts established under new laws are in the cities of Davao, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Navotas, Cagayan de Oro, Tanauan (Batangas), Mandaue, Bogo and Naga (Cebu), Tacloban, Valenzuela, Calamba, Sagay and in the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Laguna, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Sur, Iloilo, Leyte, Romblon, Kalinga, Aurora and Cavite.

The proposed additional courts awaiting Aquino’s approval are to be established in the cities of Davao, Danao (Cebu), Taguig, Sipalay, Toledo, Pasig, Las Piñas, Quezon, Bulacan, General Santos, Lucena, Ormoc, Makati, Cebu, Digos, Lapu-Lapu and in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Cebu, Cotabato, Bukidnon, Iloilo, Guimaras, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao, Isabela, Bohol, Laguna, Quezon, Pampanga, Rizal, Pangasinan, Negros Oriental, and Zambales.