INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
THE SUPREME Court on Tuesday ordered the creation of 240 additional trial courts nationwide to handle rising cases of alleged violations of the dangerous drugs law.
In a briefing paper, the Supreme Court said there are already 128,368 pending drug related cases now being handled in 715 regional trial courts.
“But this number would be insufficient considering the steady rise of new drug related cases,” Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press briefing.
Te said that of the 715 trial courts, 65 have been designated as exclusive for drug related cases.
He said regional trial courts and family courts will also handle drug related cases.
“By its action today, the Court has effectively authorized all the 955 organized regional trial courts across the country to hear, try and decide drugs cases,” said Te.