Senate panel approves 14 bills seeking to create new courts nationwide
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights approved on Tuesday 14 bills that seek to create branches of regional, municipal, and metropolitan trial courts nationwide.
The committee hearing, led by Sen. Francis Tolentino, tackled House Bill Nos. 8254, 6582, 8256, 8248, 8249, 6584, 8247, 6583, 8250, 8253, 8251, 8258, 8259, and 8260.
Tolentino approved the bills at the committee level and endorsed them to the Senate plenary.
Based on the discussions, all bills aim to establish the new courts in the following areas:
- Rosario and San Juan in Batangas
- Cabagan in Isabela
- Navotas and Pagadian in Zamboanga del Sur
- Antipolo City in Rizal
- Calauag in Quezon
- Dinagat Islands and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao Del Norte
- Malaybalay in Bukidnon
- Ormoc in Leyte
- San Carlos in Pangasinan
- San Juan City and Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental
Before the approval, Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva said a court may handle up to 300 cases, adding that a regional trial court would require two prosecutors and a municipal or metropolitan trial court one prosecutor. Regardless of the court type, each would need one public attorney.
