Batas Pambansa Blg 129 - Judicial Reorg Act

8/13/2019 Batas Pambansa Blg 129 - Judicial Reorg Act

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!reside &n his absence$ the Associate A!!ellate Justice attending such sessionwho has !recedence shall !reside

Secti ! &. Qualifications. The *residing A!!ellate Justice and the Associate A!!ellate Justices shall ha e the sa'e ualifications as those !ro ided in the

#onstitution for Justices of the 2u!re'e #ourtSecti ! '. rouping of divisions. f the ten -10. di isions of the #ourt$ four-3. di isions$ to be known as #i il #ases (i isions$ shall take cognizance ofa!!eals in ci il cases originating fro' the Regional Trial #ourts4 two -5. di isions$to be known as #ri'inal #ases (i isions$ of a!!eals in cri'inal cases originatingfro' the Regional Trial #ourts4 and four -3. di isions$ to be known as 2!ecial#ases (i isions$ of original actions or !etitions$ !etitions for re iew$ and a!!ealsin all other cases$ including those fro' ad'inistrati e agencies$ e,ce!t as!ro ided in 2ection 9 hereof

6,ce!t with res!ect to the *residing A!!ellate Justice$ the a!!oint'ent of a'e'ber of the #ourt shall s!ecifically indicate whether it is for the #i il #ases(i isions$ the #ri'inal #ases (i isions$ or the 2!ecial #ases (i isions of the#ourt 7o 'e'ber of the #ourt a!!ointed to any of three classes of di isionsshall be assigned to any of the other classes of di isions$ e,ce!t whenauthorized by the 2u!re'e #ourt$ u!on reco''endation of the &nter'ediate

A!!ellate #ourt en banc$ if the e,igencies of the ser ice so re uire$ but suchtransfer shall in no case be for 'ore than si, - . 'onths *ro ided$ howe er$That this !rohibition shall not a!!ly if the transfer occurs by reason of a!er'anent acancy in the chair'anshi! of any di ision$ in which case the

Associate A!!ellate Justice who is ne,t in !recedence shall assu'e the

chair'anshi!There shall be no seniority or !recedence in rank a'ong the di isions of the#ourt

Secti ! 9. Jurisdiction. The &nter'ediate A!!ellate #ourt shall e,ercise

-1. riginal /urisdiction to issue writs of 'anda'us$ !rohibition$ certiorari$habeas cor!us$ and uo warranto$ and au,iliary writs or !rocesses$whether or not in aid of its a!!ellate /urisdiction4

-5. 6,clusi e original /urisdiction o er actions for annul'ent of /udg'entsof Regional Trial #ourts4 and

-:. 6,clusi e a!!ellate /urisdiction o er all final /udg'ents$ decisions$resolutions$ orders$ or awards of Regional Trial #ourts and uasi+/udicialagencies$ instru'entalities$ boards or co''issions$ e,ce!t those fallingwithin the a!!ellate /urisdiction of the 2u!re'e #ourt in accordance withthe #onstitution$ the !ro isions of this Act$ and of sub!aragra!h -1. of the


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third !aragra!h and sub!aragra!h -3. of the fourth !aragra!h of 2ection1; of the Judiciary Act of 1938

The &nter'ediate A!!ellate #ourt shall ha e the !ower to try cases and conducthearings$ recei e e idence and !erfor' any and all acts necessary to resol e

factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and a!!ellate /urisdiction$including the !ower to grant and conduct new trials or further !roceedings

These !ro isions shall not a!!ly to decisions and interlocutory orders issuedunder the


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Secti ! 1". $reation of #egional Trial $ourts. There are hereby createdthirteen -1:. Regional Trial #ourts$ one for each of the following /udicial regions

The %irst Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro inces of Abra$ =enguet$&locos 7orte$ &locos 2ur$


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The 7inth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro inces of =asilan$ 2ulu$Tawi+Tawi$ Da'boanga del 7orte$ and Da'boanga del 2ur$ and the citiesof (a!itan$ (i!olog$ *agadian$ and Da'boanga

The Tenth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro inces of Agusan del

7orte$ Agusan del 2ur$ =ukidnon$ #a'iguin$ )isa'is ccidental$ )isa'isriental$ and 2urigao del 7orte$ and the cities of =utuan$ #agayan de ro$Fingoog$ za'iz$ ro uieta$ 2urigao and Tangub

The 6le enth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro inces of (a ao del7orte$ (a ao riental$ (a ao del 2ur$ 2outh #otabato and 2urigao del2ur$ and the cities of (a ao and Feneral 2antos4 and

The Twelfth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro inces of


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=ranches GGG& and GGG&& at Agoo$ =ranch GGG&&& at =auang$ and=ranch GGG&B at =alaoan4

Two branches -=ranches GGGB and GGGB&. for the !ro ince of)ountain *ro ince$ with seats at =ontoc4 and

Twenty+one branches -=ranches GGGB&& and


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Two branches -=ranches #


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%ourteen branches -=ranches


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6ight branches -=ranches G&B to GG&. for the !ro ince of #a!iz andthe city of Ro,as$ =ranches G&B to G&G with seats at Ro,as #ity and=ranches GG and GG& at )a'busao4

6ighteen branches -=ranches GG&& to GGG&G. for the !ro ince of

&loilo$ the sub+!ro ince of Fui'aras$ and the city of &loilo$ with seatsat &loilo #ity4 and

Twenty+four branches -=ranches G< to


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Abuyog$ =ranch G& at #alubian$ =ranch G&& at r'oc #ity$ =ranchG&&& at #arigara$ =ranch G&B at =aybay$ =ranch GB at =urauen$=ranch GB& at 7a al$ =ranch GB&& at *alo'!on$ and =ranch GB&&&at Hilongos4

%i e branches -=ranches G&G to GG&&&. for the !ro ince of 7orthern2a'ar$ =ranches G&G and GG with seats at #atar'an$ =ranchesGG& and GG&& at


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Two branches -=ranches B& and G&. for the !ro ince of =ukidnon$=ranches B&&& to G with seats at )alaybalay and =ranch G& at)anolo %ortich4

%i e branches -=ranches G&& to G&. for the !ro ince of )isa'is

ccidental and the cities of ro uieta$ za'is$ and Tangub$=ranches G&& to G&B with seats at ro uieta #ity$ =ranch GB atza'is #ity$ and =ranch GB& at Tangub #ity4

6le en branches -=ranches GB&& to GGB&&. for the !ro ince of)isa'is riental and the cities of #agayan de ro and Fingoog$=ranches GB&& to GG& with seats at #agayan de ro #ity$ =ranchGGB& at )edina$ and =ranch GGB&& at Fingoog #ity4

ne branch -=ranch GGB&&&. for the !ro ince of #a'iguin$ with seatat )a'ba/ao4 and

%our branches -=ranches GG&G to GGG&&. for the !ro ince of2urigao del 7orte and the #ity of 2urigao$ =ranches GG&G and GGGwith seats at 2urigao #ity$ =ranch GGG& at (a!a$ and =ranch GGG&&at (inagat$ (inagat &sland

-l. Twenty+nine Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the6le enth Judicial Region There shall be

%our branches -=ranches & to &B. for the !ro ince of (a ao del7orte$ =ranches & and && with seats at Tagu'$ =ranch &&& at

7abunturan$ and =ranch &B at *anabo4Three branches -=ranches B to B&&. for the !ro ince of (a aoriental$ =ranches B and B& with seats at )ati and =ranch B&& at=aganga4

%ourteen branches -=ranches B&&& to GG&. for the !ro ince of (a aodel 2ur and the city of (a ao$ =ranches B&&& to GB&& with seats at(a ao #ity$ =ranches GB&&& and G&G at (igos$ =ranch GG at)alinta$ and =ranch GG& a =ansalan4

%i e =ranches -=ranches GG&& to GGB&. for the !ro ince of 2outh#otabato and the city of Feneral 2antos$ =ranches GG&& and GG&&&with seats at Feneral 2antos #ity$ =ranches GG&B and GGB atoronadal$ and =ranch GGB& at 2urallah4 and

Three branches -=ranches GGB&& to GG&G. for the !ro ince of2urigao del 2ur$ =ranch GGB&& with seat at Tandag$ =ranch GGB&&&at


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-'. Twenty Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the TwelfthJudicial Region There shall be

2e en branches -=ranches & to B&&. for the !ro ince of


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Secti ! 2(. Jurisdiction in cri!inal cases. Regional Trial #ourts shall e,ercisee,clusi e original /urisdiction in all cri'inal cases not within the e,clusi e

/urisdiction of any court$ tribunal or body$ e,ce!t those now falling under thee,clusi e and concurrent /urisdiction of the 2andiganbayan which shall hereafterbe e,clusi ely taken cognizance of by the latter

Secti ! 21. Original 'urisdiction in other cases. Regional Trial #ourts shalle,ercise original /urisdiction

-1. &n the issuance of writs of certiorari$ !rohibition$ 'anda'us$ uowarranto$ habeas cor!us and in/unction which 'ay be enforced in any !artof their res!ecti e regions4 and

-5. &n actions affecting a'bassadors and other !ublic 'inisters andconsuls

Secti ! 22. Appellate 'urisdiction. Regional Trial #ourts shall e,ercisea!!ellate /urisdiction o er all cases decided by )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$)unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts in their res!ecti eterritorial /urisdictions 2uch cases shall be decided on the basis of the entirerecord of the !roceedings had in the court of origin and such 'e'oranda andIorbriefs as 'ay be sub'itted by the !arties or re uired by the Regional Trial#ourts The decision of the Regional Trial #ourts in such cases shall bea!!ealable by !etition for re iew to the &nter'ediate A!!ellate #ourt which 'aygi e it due course only when the !etition shows !ri'a facie that the lower courthas co''itted an error of fact or law that will warrant a re ersal or 'odificationof the decision or /udg'ent sought to be re iewed

Secti ! 2". Special 'urisdiction to tr% special cases. The 2u!re'e #ourt 'aydesignate certain branches of the Regional Trial #ourts to handle e,clusi elycri'inal cases$ /u enile and do'estic relations cases$ agrarian cases$ urban landrefor' cases which do not fall under the /urisdiction of uasi+/udicial bodies andagencies$ andIor such other s!ecial cases as the 2u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'inein the interest of a s!eedy and efficient ad'inistration of /ustice

Secti ! 2#. Special #ules of Procedure. >hene er a Regional Trial #ourttakes cognizance of /u enile and do'estic relation cases andIor agrarian cases$the s!ecial rules of !rocedure a!!licable under !resent laws to such cases shall

continue to be a!!lied$ unless subse uently a'ended by law or by rules of court!ro'ulgated by the 2u!re'e #ourt

CHAPTER IIIMETROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND

MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS


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Secti ! 2$. Esta&lish!ent of (etropolitan Trial $ourts) (unicipal Trial $ourtsand (unicipal $ircuit Trial $ourts. There shall be created a )etro!olitan Trial#ourt in each 'etro!olitan area established by law$ a )unici!al Trial #ourt ineach of the other cities or 'unici!alities$ and a )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt ineach circuit co'!rising such cities andIor 'unici!alities as are grou!ed together

!ursuant to lawSecti ! 2%. Qualifications. 7o !erson shall be a!!ointed /udge of a)etro!olitan Trial #ourt$ )unici!al Trial #ourt$ or )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourtunless he is a natural+born citizen of the *hili!!ines$ at least :0 years of age$and$ for at least fi e years$ has been engaged in the !ractice of law in the*hili!!ines$ or has held a !ublic office in the *hili!!ines re uiring ad'ission tothe !ractice of law as an indis!ensable re uisite

Secti ! 2&. (etropolitan Trial $ourts of the *ational $apital #egion. Thereshall be a )etro!olitan Trial #ourt in the 7ational #a!ital Region$ to be known as

the )etro!olitan Trial #ourt of )etro )anila$ which shall be co'!osed of eighty+two -85. branches There shall be

Thirty branches -=ranches & to GGG. for the city of )anila with seatsthereat4

Thirteen branches -=ranches GGG& to G


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Two branches for =atangas #ity4

Two branches for


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Two branches for &ligan #ity

Secti ! "(. (unicipal Trial $ourts. &n each of the 'unici!alities that are notco'!rised within a 'etro!olitan area and a 'unici!al circuit there shall be a)unici!al Trial #ourt which shall ha e one branch$ e,ce!t as hereunder

!ro ided

Two branches for 2an %ernando$


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Secti ! "2. Jurisdiction of (etropolitan Trial $ourts) (unicipal Trial $ourts and(unicipal $ircuit Trial $ourts in cri!inal cases. 6,ce!t in cases falling withinthe e,clusi e original /urisdiction of Regional Trial #ourts and of the2andiganbayan$ the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall e,ercise

-1. 6,clusi e original /urisdiction o er all iolations of city or 'unici!alordinances co''itted within their res!ecti e territorial /urisdiction4 and

-5. 6,clusi e original /urisdiction o er all offenses !unishable withi'!rison'ent of not e,ceeding four years and two 'onths$ or a fine of not'ore than four thousand !esos$ or both such fine and i'!rison'ent$regardless of other i'!osable accessory or other !enalties$ including theci il liability arising fro' such offenses or !redicated thereon$ irres!ecti eof kind$ nature$ alue$ or a'ount thereof *ro ided$ howe er$ That inoffenses in ol ing da'age to !ro!erty through cri'inal negligence they

shall ha e e,clusi e original /urisdiction where the i'!osable fine does note,ceed twenty thousand !esos

Secti ! "". Jurisdiction of (etropolitan Trial $ourts) (unicipal Trial $ourts and(unicipal $ircuit Trial $ourts in civil cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$)unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall e,ercise

-1. 6,clusi e original /urisdiction o er ci il actions and !robate!roceedings$ testate and intestate$ including the grant of !ro isionalre'edies in !ro!er cases$ where the de'and does not e,ceed twentythousand !esos e,clusi e of interest and costs but inclusi e of da'ages

of whate er kind$ the a'ount of which 'ust be s!ecifically alleged*ro ided$ That where there are se eral clai's or causes of actionbetween the sa'e or different !arties$ e'bodied in the sa'e co'!laint$the a'ount of the de'and shall be the totality of the clai's in all thecauses of action irres!ecti e of whether the causes of action arose out ofthe sa'e or different transactions4 and

-5. 6,clusi e original /urisdiction o er cases of forcible entry and unlawfuldetainer *ro ided$ That when$ in such cases$ the defendant raises theuestion of ownershi! in his !leadings and the uestion of !ossessioncannot be resol ed without deciding the issue of ownershi!$ the issue of

ownershi! shall be resol ed only to deter'ine the issue of !ossessionSecti ! "#. +elegated 'urisdiction in cadastral and land registration cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial#ourts 'ay be assigned by the 2u!re'e #ourt to hear and deter'ine cadastralor land registration cases co ering lots where there is no contro ersy oro!!osition$ or contested lots the alue of which does not e,ceed twenty thousand!esos$ such alue to be ascertained by the affida it of the clai'ant or by


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agree'ent of the res!ecti e clai'ants if there are 'ore than one$ or fro' thecorres!onding ta, declaration of the real !ro!erty Their decisions in these casesshall be a!!ealable in the sa'e 'anner as decisions of the Regional Trial#ourts

Secti ! "$. Special 'urisdiction in certain cases. &n the absence of all theRegional Trial Judges in a !ro ince or city$ any )etro!olitan Trial Judge$)unici!al Trial Judge$ )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judge 'ay hear and decide!etitions for a writ of habeas cor!us or a!!lications for bail in cri'inal cases inthe !ro ince or city where the absent Regional Trial Judges sit

Secti ! "%. Su!!ar% procedures in special cases. &n )etro!olitan Trial#ourts and )unici!al Trial #ourts with at least two branches$ the 2u!re'e #ourt'ay designate one or 'ore branches thereof to try e,clusi ely forcible entry andunlawful detainer cases$ those in ol ing iolations of traffic laws$ rules andregulations$ iolations of the rental law$ and such other cases re uiring su''ary

dis!osition as the 2u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine The 2u!re'e #ourt shallado!t s!ecial rules or !rocedures a!!licable to such cases in order to achie e ane,!editious and ine,!ensi e deter'ination thereof without regard to technicalrules 2uch si'!lified !rocedures 'ay !ro ide that affida it and counter+affida its'ay be ad'itted in lieu of oral testi'ony and that the !eriods for filing !leadingsshall be non+e,tendible

Secti ! "&. Preli!inar% investigation. Judges of )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$e,ce!t those in the 7ational #a!ital Region$ of )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall ha e authority to conduct !reli'inaryin estigation of cri'es alleged to ha e been co''itted within their res!ecti e

territorial /urisdictions which are cognizable by the Regional Trial #ourtsThe !reli'inary in estigation shall be conducted in accordance with the!rocedure !rescribed in 2ection 1$ !aragra!hs -a.$ -b.$ -c.$ and -d.$ of*residential (ecree 7o 911 *ro ided$ howe er$ That if after the !reli'inaryin estigation the Judge finds a !ri'a facie case$ he shall forward the records ofthe case to the *ro incialI#ity %iscal for the filing of the corres!ondinginfor'ation with the !ro!er court

7o warrant of arrest shall be issued by the Judge in connection with any cri'inalco'!laint filed with hi' for !reli'inary in estigation$ unless after an e,a'ination

in writing and under oath or affir'ation of the co'!lainant and his witnesses$ hefinds that a !robable cause e,ists

Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance herewith 'ay be ser ed anywhere inthe *hili!!ines

Secti ! "'. Judg!ents and processes.


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-1. All /udg'ents deter'ining the 'erits of cases shall be in writing$stating clearly the facts and the law on which they were based$ signed bythe Judge and filed with the #lerk of #ourt 2uch /udg'ent shall bea!!ealable to the Regional Trial #ourts in accordance with the !rocedurenow !rescribed by law for a!!eals to the #ourt of %irst &nstance$ by the

!ro isions of this Act$ and by such rules as the 2u!re'e #ourt 'ayhereafter !rescribe

-5. All !rocesses issued by the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial#ourts and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts$ in cases falling within their

/urisdiction$ 'ay be ser ed anywhere in the *hili!!ines without thenecessity of certification by the Judge of the Regional Trial #ourt

CHAPTER I)GENERAL PRO)ISIONS

Secti ! "9. Appeals. The !eriod for a!!eal fro' final orders$ resolutions$awards$ /udg'ents$ or decisions of any court in all cases shall be fifteen -1?.days counted fro' the notice of the final order$ resolution$ award$ /udg'ent$ ordecision a!!ealed fro' *ro ided howe er$ That in habeas cor!us cases$ the!eriod for a!!eal shall be forty+eight -38. hours fro' the notice of the /udg'enta!!ealed fro'

7o record on a!!eal shall be re uired to take an a!!eal &n lieu thereof$ theentire record shall be trans'itted with all the !ages !ro'inently nu'beredconsecuti ely$ together with an inde, of the contents thereof

This section shall not a!!ly in a!!eals in s!ecial !roceedings and in other caseswherein 'ulti!le a!!eals are allowed under a!!licable !ro isions of the Rules of#ourt

Secti ! #(. ,or! of decision in appealed cases. 6 ery decision of finalresolution of a court in a!!ealed cases shall clearly and distinctly state thefindings of fact and the conclusions of law on which it is based$ which 'ay becontained in the decision or final resolution itself$ or ado!ted by reference fro'those set forth in the decision$ order$ or resolution a!!ealed fro'

Secti ! #1. Salaries. &nter'ediate A!!ellate Justices$ Regional Trial Judges$

)etro!olitan Trial Judges$ )unici!al Trial Judges$ and )unici!al #ircuit TrialJudges shall recei e such co'!ensation and allowances as 'ay be authorizedby the *resident along the guidelines set forth in


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created for each fi e years of continuous$ efficient$ and 'eritorious ser icerendered in the /udiciary4 *ro ided$ That in no case shall the total salary of eachJustice or Judge concerned$ after this longe ity !ay is added$ e,ceed the salaryof the Justice or Judge ne,t in rank

Secti ! #". Staffing pattern. The 2u!re'e #ourt shall sub'it to the*resident$ within thirty -:0. days fro' the date of the effecti ity of this Act$ astaffing !attern for all courts constituted !ursuant to this Act which shall be thebasis of the i'!le'enting order to be issued by the *resident in accordance withthe i''ediately succeeding section

Secti ! ##. Transitor% provisions. The !ro isions of this Act shall bei''ediately carried out in accordance with an 6,ecuti e rder to be issued bythe *resident The #ourt of A!!eals$ the #ourts of %irst &nstance$ the #ircuit#ri'inal #ourts$ the Ju enile and (o'estic Relations #ourts$ the #ourts of

Agrarian Relations$ the #ity #ourts$ the )unici!al #ourts$ and the )unici!al

#ircuit #ourts shall continue to function as !resently constituted and organized$until the co'!letion of the reorganization !ro ided in this Act as declared by the*resident @!on such declaration$ the said courts shall be dee'ed auto'aticallyabolished and the incu'bents thereof shall cease to hold office The cases!ending in the old #ourts shall be transferred to the a!!ro!riate #ourtsconstituted !ursuant to this Act$ together with the !ertinent functions$ records$e ui!'ent$ !ro!erty and the necessary !ersonnel

The a!!licable a!!ro!riations shall likewise be transferred to the a!!ro!riatecourts constituted !ursuant to this Act$ to be aug'ented as 'ay be necessaryfro' the funds for organizational changes as !ro ided in =atas *a'bansa =lg

80 2aid funding shall thereafter be included in the annual Feneral A!!ro!riations Act

Secti ! #$. Shari a $ourts. 2hariKa #ourts to be constituted as !ro ided for in*residential (ecree 7o 108:$ otherwise known as the "#ode of )usli' *ersonal


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Secti ! #&. #epealing clause. The !ro isions of Re!ublic Act 7o 59 $otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 1938$ as a'ended$ of Re!ublic Act 7o9as a'ended$ of the Rules of #ourt$ and of all other statutes$ letters ofinstructions and general order or !arts thereof$ inconsistent with the !ro isions ofthis Act are hereby re!ealed or accordingly 'odified

Secti ! #'. +ate of Effectivit%. This Act shall take effect i''ediately

A!!ro ed August 13$ 1981

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Batas Pambansa Blg 129 - Judicial Reorg Act