BP129-BATAS PAMBANSA

8/12/2019 BP129-BATAS PAMBANSA

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Batas Pambansa Blg: 129| Date: March 1, 1999.

An Act Reorganizing The J!iciar", A##ro#riating $n!s There%or, An! $or&ther Pr#oses

PR'()M)*AR+ -APT'R

ection 1. Title. This Act shall be /no0n as The J!iciar" Reorganization Act o% 193.4

ection 2. co#e. The reorganization herein #ro5i!e! shall incl!e the ort o% A##eals, the ort

o% $irst )nstance, the ircit riminal orts, the J5enile an! Domestic Relations orts, the orts

o% Agrarian Relations, the it" orts, the Mnici#al orts, an! the Mnici#al ircit orts.

-APT'R )

&6RT &$ APP'A(

ection 7. &rganization. There is hereb" create! a ort o% A##eals 0hich consists o% a Presi!ing

Jstice an! %i%t" Associate Jstice 0ho shall be a##ointe! b" the Presi!ent o% the Phili##ines. The

Presi!ing Jstice shall be so !esignate! in his a##ointment, an! the Associate Jstice shall ha5e

#rece!ence accor!ing to the !ates o% their res#ecti5e a##ointments, or 0hen the a##ointments o%

t0o or more o% them shall bear the same !ate, accor!ing to the or!er in 0hich their a##ointments

0ere isse! b" the Presi!ent. An" member 0ho is rea##ointe! to the ort a%ter ren!ering ser5ice in

an" other #osition in the go5ernment shall retain the #rece!ence to 0hich he 0as entitle! n!er his

original a##ointment, an! his ser5ice in the ort shall, %or all intents an! #r#oses, be consi!ere!

as continos an! ninterr#te!. 8as amen!e! b" 'ec. &r!er *o. 77,, Jl" 2, 19.;

ection


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A month %or reconsi!eration o% its !ecision or %inal resoltion shall be resol5e! b" the ort 0ithin

ninet" 893; !a"s %rom the time it is sbmitte! %or resoltion, an! no secon! motion %or

reconsi!eration %rom the same #art" shall be entertainment. 8as amen!e! b" 'ec. &r!er *o. 77,

Jl" 2, 19.;

ection 12. )nternal Rles. The cort en banc is athorize! to #romlgate rles or or!ers go5erning

the constittion o% the !i5isions an! the assignment o% A##ellate Jstices thereto, the !istribtion o%

cases, an! other matters #ertaining to the o#erations o% the ort o% its !i5isions. o#ies o% sch

rles an! or!ers shall be %rnishe! b" the #reme ort, 0hich rles an! or!ers shall be e%%ecti5e

%i%teen 81@; !a"s a%ter recei#t thereo%, nless !irecte! other0ise b" the #reme ort.

-APT'R ))

R')&*A( TR)A( &6RT

ection 17. reation o% Regional Trial orts. There are hereb" create! thirteen 817; Regional Trial

orts, one %or each o% the %ollo0ing ?!icial regions:

The $irst J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Abra, Benget, )locos *orte, )locos r, (a

6nion, Montain Pro5ince, an! Pangasinan, an! cities o% Bagio, Dag#an, (aog an! an arlosE

The econ! J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Batanes, aga"an, )%gao, Falinga>

A#a"ao, *e5a Gisca"a, an! CirinoE

The Thir! J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Bataan, Blacan 8ece#t the mnici#alit" o%

5alenzela;, *e5a 'ci?a, Pam#anga, Tarlac, an! Hambales, an! the cities o% Angeles, abanatan,

&longa#o, Pala"an an! an JoseE

The *ational a#ital J!icial Region, consisting o% the cities o% Manila, Cezon, Pasa", aloocan

an! Man!al"ong, an! the mnici#alities o% *a5otas, Malabon, an Jan, Ma/ati, Pasig, Pateros,

Tagig, Mari/ina, ParaIae, (as PiIas, Mntinl#a, an! GalenzelaE

The $orth J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Batangas, a5ite, (agna, Marin!e,

Min!oro &cci!ental, Min!oro &riental, Pala0an, Cezon, Rizal 8ece#t the cities an! mnici#alities

embrace! 0ithin the *ational a#ital J!icial Region3, Romblon, an! Arora, an! the cities o%

Batangas, a5ite, (i#a, (cena, Perto Princessa, an Pablo, Taga"ta", an! Trece MartiresE

The $i%th J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Alba", amarines r, amarines *orte,

atan!anes, Masbate, an! orsogon, an! the cities o% (egas#i, *aga an! )rigaE

The ith J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% A/lan, Antie, a#iz, )loilo, (a alota,

Roas, an arlos, an! ila", an! the sb#ro5ince o% imarasE


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The e5enth J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Bohol, eb, *egros &riental, an!

ii?or, an! the cities o% Bais, anlaon, eb, Danao, Dmagete, (a#>la#, Man!ae,

Tagbilaran, an! Tole!o,

The 'ighth J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces or 'astern amar, (e"te, *orthern, amar,

othern (e"te, &rmoc, an! Tacloban:

The *inth J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Basilan, l, Ta0i>Ta0i, Hamboanga !el

r, an! the cities o% Da#itan, Di#olog, Paga!ian, an! HamboangaE

The Tenth J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% Agsan !el *orte, Agsan !el r,

B/i!non, amigin, Misamis &cci!ental, Misamis &riental, an! rigao !el *orte, an! the cities o%

Btan, aga"an !e &ro, ingoog, &zamis, &roieta, rigao, an! TangbE

The 'le5enth J!icial Region, consistingno% the #ro5inces o% Da5ao !el *orte, Da5ao &riental,

Da5ao !el r, oth otabato, an! rigao !el r, an! the cities o% Da5ao, an! eneral antosE

an!

The T0el%th J!icial Region, consisting o% the #ro5inces o% (anao !el *orte, (anao !el r,

Magin!anao, *orth otabato, an! ltan F!arat, an! the cities o% otabato, )ligan, an! Mara0i.

)n case o% trans%er or re!istribtion o% the #ro5inces, sb#ro5inces, cities or mnici#alities com#rising

the regions establishe! b" la0 o% #r#oses o% the a!ministrati5e %iel! organization o% the 5arios

!e#artments an! agencies o% the go5ernment, the com#osition o% the ?!icial regions herein

constitte! shall be !eeme! mo!i%ie! accor!ingl".

ection 1


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*ine branches 8Branches G) to )G; %or the #ro5ince o% (a 6nion, Branches G) to 0ith

seats at an $ernan!o, Branches ) an! )) at Agoo, Branch ))) at Baang, an! Branch

)G at BalaoanE

T0o branches 8Branches G an! G); %or the #ro5ince o% Montain #ro5ince, 0ith seats at

BontocE an!

T0ent">one branches 8Branches G)) to (G)); %or the #ro5ince o% Pangasinan an! the citie so%

!ag#an an! san arlos, Branches G)) to ) 0ith seats at (inga"en, Branches ( to ()G

at !ag#an, Branches (G to () at 6r!aneta, Branch ( at Gillasis, Branches () an! ()) at Ta"g,

Branch ())) at Rosalaes, Branches ()G an! (G at Alaminos, an! Branch (G) an! (G)) at san arlos.

8b; Thirt">t0o Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the econ! J!icial region. There

shall be:

T0el5e branches 8Branches ) to )); %or the #ro5ince o% aga"an, Branches ) to G 0ith seats at

Tgegarao, Branches G) to at A#arri, Branch ) at Tao, an! Branch )) at anchez MiraE

&ne branch 8Branch ))); %or the #ro5ince o% Batanes, 0ith seat at BascoE

T0o branches 8Branches )G an! G; %or the #ro5ince o% )%gao, Branch )G 0ith seat at (aga0e,

an! Branch G at PotiaE

*ine branches 8Branches G) to )G; %or the #ro5ince o% )sabela, Branches G) to G))) 0ith seats

at )lagan, Branches ) an! at caa"an, Branch ) at antiago, Branch )) at abagan,

Branch ))) at Roas, an! Branch )G at 'chageE

T0o branches 8Branches G an! G); %or the #ro5ince o% /alinga>A#a"ao, Branch G 0ith seat

at Tab/, an! Branch G) at (naE

$or branches 8Branches G)) to ; %or the #ro5ince o% *e5a Gizca"a, Branches G)) to )

0ith seats at Ba"ombong, an! Branch at BambangE

T0o branches 8Branches ) an! )); %or the #ro5ince o% Cirino, 0ith seats at abarrogis.

8c; e5ent">%i5e Regional Trial ?!ges shall be commissione! %or the Thir! J!icial Region. Thereshall be:

$i5e branches 8Branches ) to G; %or the #ro5ince o% Bataan, Branches ) to ))) 0ith seats at Balanga,

Branch )G at Mari5eles, an! Branch G at Dinal#ihanE

e5enteen branches 8Branches G) to )); %or the #ro5ince o% Blacan 8ece#t the mnici#alit" o%

Galenzela;, 0ith seats at MalolosE


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'ighteen branches 8Branches ))) to (; %or the #ro5ince o% *e5a 'ci?a an! the cities o%

abanatan, an Jose an! Pala"an, Branches ))) to 0ith seats at abanatan it",

Branches ) to ))) at imba, Branches )G to G) at a#an, Branch G)) at to.

Domingo, Branches G))) an! ) at an Jose, an! Branch ( at Pala"an.

T0ent">t0o branches 8Branches () to ()); %or the #ro5ince o% Pam#anga an! the cit" o% Angeles,

Branches () to (G))) 0ith seats at an $ernan!o, Branches () to ())) at aga, Branches ()G

an! (G at Macabebe, an! Branches (G) to ()) at Angeles it"E

i branches 8Branches ())) to (G))); %or the #ro5ince o% Tarlac, Branches (G) at a#as, Branch

(G)) at Panii, an! Branch (G))) at amilingE an!

e5en branches 8Branches () to (G; %or the #ro5ince o% Hambales an! the cit" o% &longa#o,

Branches () to () 0ith seats at )ba an! Branches ()) to (G at &longa#o it"

8!; &ne hn!re! se5ent">t0o 81=2; Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the *ational

a#ital J!icial Region. There shall be:

$i%t">%i5e branches 8Branches 1 to @@; %or the it" o% Manila, 0it seats thereatE

Thirt">t0o branches 8Branches = to 13=; %or Cezon it", 0ith seats thereatE

T0el5e branches 8Branches 13 to 119; %or Pasa" it", 0ith seats thereatE

T0el5e branches 8Branches 123 to 171; %or aloocan it", 0ith seats thereatE

$i%t">eight branches 8Branches @ to =< an! 172 to 1=3; %or the Mnici#alities o% *a5otas, Malabon,

an Jan, Ma!al"ong, Ma/ati, Pasig, Pateros, Tagig, Mari/ina, ParaIae, (as PiIas, an!

Mntinl#aE Branches = to =1 an! 1@1 to 1 at PasigE an! Branches =2 to =


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Taga"ata" it", Branch ) at Bacoor, Branches to )) at )ms, an! Branch ))) at Trece

MartiresE

$orteen branches 8Branches )G to G)); %or the #ro5ince o% (agna an! the cit" o% an Pablo,

Branches G))) at ta. rz, Branches ) to )) at an Pable it", Branch ))) at iniloan,

an! Branches )G to G) at alambaE

&ne branch 8Branch G))); %or the #ro5ince o% Marin!e, 0ith seat at BoacE

$i5e branches 8Branches ) to ())); %or the #ro5ince o% Min!oro &riental, Branches ) to

( 0ith seats at ala#an, Branches () an! ()) at Pinamala"an, an! Branch ()) at RoasE

Three branches 8Branches (G)) to (G); %or the #ro5ince o% Min!oro &cci!ental, Branch ()G 0ith

seat at Mambrao, an! Branches (G an! (G) at an JoseE

i branches 8Branches (G)) to ()); %or the #ro5ince o% Pala0an an! the cit" o% Perto Princesa,

0ith seats at Perto Princesa it"E

Thirteen branches 8Branches ())) to (G; %or the #ro5ince o% Cezon an! the cit" o% (cena,

Branches ())) to ( 0ith seats at (cena it", Branches () an! ()) at maca, Branch ())) at

alaag, Branch ()G at Maban, an! Branch (G at )n%antaE

&ne branch?8Branch (G); %or the #ro5ince o% Arora, 0ith seat at BalerE

$orteen branches 8Branches (G)) to (; %or the #ro5ince o% Rizal ece#t the cities an!

mnici#alities embrace! 0ithin the *ational a#ital J!icial Region, Branches (G)) to ( 0ithseats at Binangonan, Branches () to ()G at Anti#olo, Branches (G to (G)) at an Mateo,

an! Branches (G))) to ( at MorongE an!

T0o branches 8Branches () an! ()); %or the #ro5ince o% Romblon, Branch () 0ith seat

at Romblon, an! Branch ()) at &!iongan.

8%; $i%t">%i5e Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the $i%th J!icial Region. There shall

be:

'ighteen branches 8Branches ) to G))); %or the #ro5ince o% Alba" an! the cit" o% (egas#i, Branches )to 0ith seats at (egas#i it", Branches ) to )G at (igao, an! Branches G to G))) at TabacoE

*ineteen branches 8Branches ) to G)); %or the #ro5ince o% amarines r an! the cities o%

*aga an! )riga, Branches ) to G))) 0ith seats at *aga it", Branch ) at (ibmanan, Branch

at Tigaon, Braches ) to ))) at Pili, an! Branches )G to G)) at )riga it"E

$or branches 8Branches G))) to ()); %or the #ro5ince o% amarines *orte, 0ith seat at DaetE


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T0o branches 8Branches ()) an! ()); %or the #ro5ince o% atan!anes, 0ith seats at GiracE

e5en branches 8Branches ()G to (; %or the #ro5ince o% Masbate, Branches ()G to (G))) 0ith

seats at Masbate, Branch () at ataingan, an! Branch ( at an JacintoE an!

$i5e branches 8Branches () to (G; %or the #ro5ince o% orsogon, Branches () to ())) 0ith seats at

orsogon, Branch (G) at bat, an! Branch (G at )rosin.

8g; it">three Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the ith J!icial Region. There

shall be:

*ine branches 8Branches ) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% A/lan, 0ith seats at FaliboE

$or branches 8Branches to ))); %or the #ro5ince o% Antie, Branches to )) 0ith seats at an

Jose, an! Branch ))) an! lasiE

'ighr branches 8Branches )G to ); %or the #ro5ince o% a#iz an! the cit" o% Roas, Branches )G

to ) 0ith seats at Roas it" an! Branches an! ) at MambsaoE

'ighteen branches 8Branches )) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% )loilo, the sb#ro5ince o% imaras,

an! the cit" o% )loilo, 0ith seats at )loilo it"E an!

T0ent">%or branches 8Branches ( to ())); %or the #ro5ince o% *egros &cci!ental, an! the cities o%

Bacolo!,Bago, a!iz, (a arlota, an arlos an! ila", Branch ( 0ith seat at ila" it", Branches

() to ()G at Bacolo! it", Branches (G an! (G) at -imama"lan, Branches (G)) to () at

Faban/alan, Branch ()) at Bago it", an! Branch ()) at (a arlota it".

8h; $ort">si Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the e5enth J!icial Region. There

shall be:

$or branches 8Branches ) to )G; %or the #ro5ince o% Bohol an! the cit" o% Tagbilaran, 0ith seats at

Tagbilaran it"E

T0ent">%i5e branches 8Branches G to ); %or the #ro5ince o% eb an! the cities o% eb, Danao,

(a#>(a#, Man!ae an! Tole!o, Branches G to )G 0ith seats at eb it", Branch G at

Danao it", Branch G) at Argao, Branch G)) at (a#>(a# it", Branch G))) at Man!aeit", an! Branch ) at Tole!o it"E

iteen branches 8Branches to (G; %or the #ro5ince o% *egros &riental an! the cities o%

Dmagete, Bais an! anlaon, Branches to ()G 0ith seats at Dmagete it", an! Branch

(G at Bais it"E an!

&ne branch 8Branch (G); %or the #ro5ince o% ii?or, 0ith seat at (arena.


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8i; Thirt">three Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the 'ighth J!icial Region. There

shall be:

$i5e branches 8Branches ) to G; %or the #ro5ince o% 'astern amar, Branches ) an! )) 0ith seats at

Borongan, Branch ))) at ian, Branch )G at Dolores, an! Branch G at &rasE

Thirteen branches 8Branches G) to G))); %or the #ro5ince o% (e"te, the sb>#ro5ince o% Biliran, an!

the cities o% &rmoc an! Tacloban, Branches G) an! ) 0ith seats at Tacloban it", Branch at

Ab"og, Branch ) at albian, Branch )) at &rmoc it", Branch ))) at arigara, Branch )G at

Ba"ba", Branch G at Braen, Branch G) at *a5al, Branch G)) at Palom#on, an! Branch G))) at

-ilongosE

$i5e branches 8Branches ) to ))); %or the #ro5ince o% *orthern amar, Branches ) an!

0ith seats at atarman, Branches ) an! )) at (aoang, an! Branch ))) at AllenE

Three branches 8Branches )G to G); %or the #ro5ince o% othern (e"te, Branches )G an!

G 0ith seats at Maasin, an! Branch G) at an JanE an!

e5en branches 8Branches G)) to ))); %or the #ro5ince o% amar an! the cit" o% alba"og,

Branches G)) to ) 0ith seats at atbalogan, Branch at Base", Branches ) an! ))

at alba"og it", an! Branch ))) at albiga.

8?; T0ent">%or Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the *inth J!icial Region. There

shall be:

T0o branches 8Branches ) an! )); %or the #ro5ince o% Basilan, 0ith seats at )sabelaE

T0o branches 8Branches ))) an! )G; %or the #ro5ince o% l, Branch ))) 0ith seat at Jolo, an! Branch

)G at ParangE

&ne branch 8Branch G; %or the #ro5ince o% Ta0i>Ta0i, 0ith seat at BongaoE

i branches 8Branches G) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% Hamboanga !el *orte, an! the cities o% Di#olog

an! Da#itan, Branches G) to seats at Di#olog it", an! Branch ) at in!anganE an!

Thirteen branches 8Branches )) to )G; %or the #ro5ince o% Hamboanga !el r an! the cities o%Paga!ian an! Hamboanga Branches )) to G)) 0ith seats at Hamboanga it", Branches, G))) to

)) at Paga!ian it", Branch ))) at Mola5e, an! Branch )G at )#il.

8/; Thirt">t0o Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the Tenth J!icial Region. There

shall be:


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$i5e branches 8Branches ) to G; %or the #ro5ince o% Agsan !el *orte an! the cit" o% Btan, 0ith

seats at Btan it"E

T0o branches 8Branches G) an! G)); %or the #ro5ince o% Agsan !el r, Branches G) 0ith seat at

Pros#eri!a! an! Branch G)) 0ith seat at Ba"ganE

$or branches 8Branches G))) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% B/i!non, Branches G))) to 0ith seats at

Mala"bala" an! Branch ) at Manalo $ortichE

$i5e branches 8Branches )) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% Misamis &cci!ental an! the cities o%

&roieta, &zamis, an! Tangb, Branches )) to )G 0ith seats at &roieta it", Branch G at

&zamis it", an! Branch G) at Tangb it"E

'le5en branches 8Branches G)) to G)); %or the #ro5ince o% Misamis &riental an! the cities o%

aga"an !e &ro an! ingoog, Branches G)) to G 0ith seats at aga"an !e &ro it", Branch

G) at Me!ina, an! Branch G)) at ingoog it"E

&ne branch 8Branch G))); %or the #ro5ince o% amigin, 0ith seat at Mamba?aoE an!

$or branches 8Branches ) to )); %or the #ro5ince o% rigao !el *orte an! the it" o%

rigao, Branches ) an! 0ith seats at rigao it", Branch ) at Da#a, an! Branch

)) at Dinagat, Dinagat )slan!.

8l; T0ent">nine Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the 'le5enth J!icial Region. There

shall be

$or branches 8Branches ) to )G; %or the #ro5ince o% Da5ao !el *orte, Branches ) an! )) 0ith seats at

Tagm, Branch ))) at *abntran, an! Branch )G at PanaboE

Three branches 8Branches G to G)); %or the #ro5ince o% Da5ao &riental, Branches G an! G) 0ith

seats at Mati an! Branch G)) at BangangaE

$orteen branches 8Branches G))) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% Da5ao !el r an! the cit" o% Da5ao,

Branches G))) to G)) 0ith seats at Da5ao it", Branches G))) an! ) at Digos, Branch at

Malinta, an! Branch ) a BansalanE

$i5e Branches 8Branches )) to G); %or the #ro5ince o% oth otabato an! the cit" o% eneral

antos, Branches )) an! ))) 0ith seats at eneral antos it", Branches )G an! G at

Forona!al, an! Branch G) at rallahE an!

Three branches 8Branches G)) to ); %or the #ro5ince o% rigao !el r, Branch G)) 0ith

seat at Tan!ag, Branch G))) at (ianga, an! Branch ) at Bislig.


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8m; T0ent" Regional Trial J!ges shall be commissione! %or the T0el%th J!icial Region. There shall

be:

e5en branches 8Branches ) to G)); %or the #ro5ince o% (anao !el *orte an! the cit" o% )ligan,

Branches ) to G) 0ith seats at )ligan it", an! Branch G)) at Tbo!E

$i5e branches 8Branches G))) to )); %or the #ro5ince o% (anao !el r an! the cit" o% Mara0i,

Branches G))) to 0ith seats at Mara0i it", an! Branches ) an! )) at MalabangE

Three branches 8Branches ))) to G; %or the #ro5ince o% Magin!anao an! the cit" o% otabato,

Branches ))) an! )G 0ith seats at otabato it", an! Branch G at Magano"E

Three branches 8Branches G) to G))); %or the #ro5ince o% *orth otabato, Branch G) 0ith seat at

Fabacan, Branch G)) at Fi!a#a0an, an! Branch G))) at Missa"a#E an!

T0o branches 8Branches ) an! ; %or the #ro5ince o% ltan F!arat, Branch ), 0ith seat at

)slan, an! Branch at Tacrong.

ection 1@. Cali%ications. *o #ersons shall be a##ointe! Regional Trial J!ge nless he is a

natral>born citizen o% the Phili##ines, at least thirt">%i5e "ears o% age, an! %or at least ten "ears, has

been engage! in the #ractice o% la0 in the Phili##ines or has hel! a #blic o%%ice in the Phili##ines

reiring a!mission to the #ractice o% la0 as an in!is#ensable reisite.

ection 1. Time an! !ration o% sessions. The time an! !ration o% !ail" sessions o% the Regional

Trial orts shall be !etermine! b" the #reme ort: Pro5i!e!, ho0e5er, That all motions, ece#t

those reiring imme!iate action, shall be hear! in the a%ternoon o% e5er" $ri!a", nless it %alls on a

holi!a", in 0hich case, the hearing shall be hel! on the a%ternoon o% the net sccee!ing bsiness

!a": Pro5i!e!, %rther, That the #reme ort ma", %or goo! reasons, %i a !i%%erent motion !a" in

s#eci%ie! areas

ection 1=. A##ointment an! assignment o% Regional Trial J!ges. '5er" Regional Trial J!ge shall

be a##ointe! to a region 0hich shall be his #ermanent station, an! his a##ointment shall state the

branch o% the cort an! the seat thereo% to 0hich he shall be originall" assigne!. -o0e5er, the

#reme ort ma" assign tem#oraril" a Regional Trial J!ge to another region as #blic interest

ma" reire, #ro5i!e! that sch tem#orar" assignment shall not last longer than si 8; months

0ithot the consent o% the Regional Trial J!ge concerne!.

A Regional Trial J!ge ma" be assigne! b" the #reme ort to an" branch or cit" or mnici#alit"

0ithin the same region as #blic interest ma" reire, an! sch assignment shall not be !eeme! an

assignment to another station 0ithin the meaning o% this section.


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ection 1. Athorit" to !e%ine territor" a##rtenant to each branch. The #reme ort shall !e%ine

the territor" o5er 0hich a branch o% the Regional Trial ort shall eercise its athorit". The territor"

ths !e%ine! shall be !eeme! to be the territorial area o% the branch concerne! %or #r#oses o%

!etermining the 5ene o% all sits, #rocee!ings or actions, 0hether ci5il or criminal, as 0ell as

!etermining the Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts, an! Mnici#al ircit Trial orts

o5er the sai! branch ma" eercise a##ellate ?ris!iction. The #o0er herein grante! shall be

eercise! 0ith a 5ie0 to ma/ing the corts rea!il" accessible to the #eo#le o% the !i%%erent #arts o%

the region an! ma/ing the atten!ance o% litigants an! 0itnesses as ine#ensi5e as #ossible.

ection 19. Jris!iction in ci5il cases. Regional Trial orts shall eercise eclsi5e original

?ris!iction:

81; )n all ci5il actions in 0hich the sb?ect o% the litigation is inca#able o% #ecniar" estimationE

82; )n all ci5il actions 0hich in5ol5e the title to, or #ossession o%, real #ro#ert", or an" interest therein,

0here the assesse! 5ale o% the #ro#ert" in5ol5e! ecee!s T0ent" thosan! #esos 8P23,333.33; or

%or ci5il actions in Metro Manila, 0here sch the 5ale ecee!s $i%t" thosan! #esos 8@3,333.33;

ece#t actions %or %orcible entr" into an! nla0%l !etainer o% lan!s or bil!ings, original ?ris!iction

o5er 0hich is con%erre! #on Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts, an! Mnici#al ircit

Trial ortsE

87; )n all actions in a!miralt" an! maritime ?ris!iction 0here he !eman! or claim ecee!s &ne

hn!re! thosan! #esos 8P133,333.33; or , in Metro Manila, 0here sch !eman! or claim ecee!s

T0o hn!re! thosan! #esos 8233,333.33;E

8?!icial %nctionsE

8=; )n all ci5il actions an! s#ecial #rocee!ings %alling 0ithin the eclsi5e original ?ris!iction o% a

J5enile an! Domestic Relations ort an! o% the orts o% Agrarian Relations as no0 #ro5i!e! b"

la0E an!

8; )n all other cases in 0hich the !eman!, eclsi5e o% interest, !amages o% 0hate5er /in!,

attorne"Ks %ees, litigation e#enses, an! costs or the 5ale o% the #ro#ert" in contro5ers" ecee!s

&ne hn!re! thosan! #esos 8133,333.33; or, in sch other abo5ementione! items ecee!s T0o

hn!re! thosan! #esos 8233,333.33;. 8as amen!e! b" R.A. *o. =91L;


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ection 23. Jris!iction in criminal cases. Regional Trial orts shall eercise eclsi5e original

?ris!iction in all criminal cases not 0ithin the eclsi5e ?ris!iction o% an" cort, tribnal or bo!",

ece#t those no0 %alling n!er the eclsi5e an! concrrent ?ris!iction o% the an!iganba"an 0hich

shall herea%ter be eclsi5el" ta/en cognizance o% b" the latter.

ection 21. &riginal ?ris!iction in other cases. Regional Trial orts shall eercise original

?ris!iction:

81; )n the issance o% 0rits o% certiorari, #rohibition, man!ams, o 0arranto, habeas cor#s an!

in?nction 0hich ma" be en%orce! in an" #art o% their res#ecti5e regionsE an!

82; )n actions a%%ecting ambassa!ors an! other #blic ministers an! consls.

ection 22. A##ellate ?ris!iction. Regional Trial orts shall eercise a##ellate ?ris!iction o5er all

cases !eci!e! b" Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts, an! Mnici#al ircit Trial orts

in their res#ecti5e territorial ?ris!ictions. ch cases shall be !eci!e! on the basis o% the entire

recor! o% the #rocee!ings ha! in the cort o% origin an! sch memoran!a an!or brie%s as ma" be

sbmitte! b" the #arties or reire! b" the Regional Trial orts. The !ecision o% the Regional Trial

orts in sch cases shall be a##ealable b" #etition %or re5ie0 to the

ort o% A##eals 0hich ma" gi5e it !e corse onl" 0hen the #etition sho0s #rima %acie that the

lo0er cort has committe! an error o% %act or la0 that 0ill 0arrant a re5ersal or mo!i%ication o% the

!ecision or ?!gment soght to be re5ie0e!.

ection 27. #ecial ?ris!iction to tr" s#ecial cases. The #reme ort ma" !esignate certain

branches o% the Regional Trial orts to han!le eclsi5el" criminal cases, ?5enile an! !omestic

relations cases, agrarian cases, rban lan! re%orm cases 0hich !o not %all n!er the ?ris!iction o%

asi>?!icial bo!ies an! agencies, an!or sch other s#ecial cases as the #reme ort ma"

!etermine in the interest o% a s#ee!" an! e%%icient a!ministration o% ?stice.

ection 2


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Trial ort in each circit com#rising sch cities an!or mnici#alities as are gro#e! together

#rsant to la0.

ection 2. Cali%ications. *o #erson shall be a##ointe! ?!ge o% a Metro#olitan Trial ort,

Mnici#al Trial ort, or Mnici#al ircit Trial ort nless he is a natral>born citizen o% the

Phili##ines, at least 73 "ears o% age, an!, %or at least %i5e "ears, has been engage! in the #ractice o%

la0 in the Phili##ines, or has hel! a #blic o%%ice in the Phili##ines reiring a!mission to the

#ractice o% la0 as an in!is#ensable reisite.

ection 2=. Metro#olitan Trial orts o% the *ational a#ital Region. There shall be a Metro#olitan

Trial ort in the *ational a#ital Region, to be /no0n as the Metro#olitan Trial ort o% Metro

Manila, 0hich shall be com#ose! o% eight">t0o 82; branches. There shall be:

Thirt" branches 8Branches ) to ; %or the cit" o% Manila 0ith seats thereatE

Thirteen branches 8Branches ) to ())); %or Cezon it" 0ith seats thereatE

$i5e branches 8Branches ()G to (G))); %or Pasa" it" 0ith seats thereatE

$i5e branches 8Branches () to ())); %or aloocan it" 0ith seats thereatE

&ne branch 8Branch ()G; %or *a5otas 0ith seat thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches (G an! (G); %or Malabon 0ith seats thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches (G)) an! (G))); %or an Jan 0ith seats thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches () an! (; %or Man!al"ong 0ith seats thereatE

e5en branches 8Branches () an! (G)); %or Ma/ati 0ith seats thereatE

$i5e branches 8Branches (G))) to ()); %or Pasig 0ith seats thereatE

&ne branch 8Branch ())); %or Pateros 0ith seat thereatE

&ne branch 8Branch ()G; %or Tagig 0ith seat thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches (G an! (G); %or Mari/ina 0ith seats thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches (G)) an! (G))); %or ParaIae 0ith seats thereatE

&ne branch 8Branch (); %or (as PiIas 0ith seat thereatE


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&ne branch 8Branch (; %or Mntinl#a 0ith seat thereatE

T0o branches 8Branches () an! ()); %or Galenzela 0ith seats thereatE

ection 2. &ther Metro#olitan Trial orts. The #reme ort shall constitte Metro#olitan Trial

orts in sch other metro#olitan areas as ma" be establishe! b" la0 0hose territorial ?ris!iction

shall be co>etensi5e 0ith the cities an! mnici#alities com#rising the metro#olitan area.

'5er" Metro#olitan Trial J!ge shall be a##ointe! to a metro#olitan area 0hich shall be his

#ermanent station an! his a##ointment shall state branch o% the cort an! the seat thereo% to 0hich

he shall be originall" assigne!. A Metro#olitan Trial J!ge ma" be assigne! b" the #reme ort

to an" branch 0ithin sai! metro#olitan area as the interest o% ?stice ma" reire, an! sch

assignment shall not be !eeme! an assignment to another station 0ithin the meaning o% this section.

ection 29. Mnici#al Trial orts in cities. )n e5er" cit" 0hich !oes not %orm #art o% a metro#olitan

area, there shall be a Mnici#al Trial ort 0ith one branch, ece#t as heren!er #ro5i!e!:

T0o branches %or (aoag it"E

$or branches %or Bagio it"E

Three branches %or Dag#an it"E

$i5e branches %or &longa#o it"E

Three branches %or abanatan it"E

T0o branches %or an Jose it"E

Three branches %or Angeles it"E

T0o branches %or a5ite it"E

T0o branches %or Batangas it"E

T0o branches %or (cena it"E

Three branches %or *aga it"E

T0o branches %or )riga it"E

Three branches %or (egas#i it"E


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T0o branches %or Roas it"E

$or branches %or )loilo it"E

e5en branches %or Bacolo! it"E

T0o branches %or Dmagete it"E

T0o branches %or Tacloban it"E

'ight branches %or eb it"E

Three branches %or Man!ae it"E

T0o branches %or Tagbilaran it"E

T0o branches %or rigao it"E

T0o branches %or Btan it"E

$i5e branches %or aga"an !e &ro it"E

e5en branches %or Da5ao it"E

Three branches %or eneral antos it"E

T0o branches %or &roieta it"E

Three branches %or &zamis it"E

T0o branches %or Di#olog it"E

$or branches %or Hamboanga it"E

T0o branches %or Paga!ian it"E an!

T0o branches %or )ligan it".

ection 73. Mnici#al Trial orts. )n each o% the mnici#alities that are not com#rise! 0ithin a

metro#olitan area an! a mnici#al circit there shall be a Mnici#al Trial ort 0hich shall ha5e one

branch, ece#t as heren!er #ro5i!e!:

T0o branches %or an $ernan!o, (a 6nionE


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$or branches %or TgegaraoE

Three branches %or (allo, an! t0o branches %or A#arri, both o% aga"anE

T0o branches %or antiago, )sabelaE

T0o branches each %or Malolos, Me"caa"an an! Blacan, all o% Blacan Pro5inceE

$or branches %or an $ernan!o an! t0o branches %or aga, both o% Pam#angaE

T0o branches %or Tarlac, TarlacE

T0o branches %or an Pe!ro, (agnaE an!

T0o branches each %or Anti#olo an! Binangonan, both in Rizal.

ection 71. Mnici#al ircit Trial ort. There shall be a Mnici#al ircit Trial ort in each area

!e%ine! as a mnici#al circit, com#rising one or more cities an!or one or more mnici#alities. The

mnici#alities com#rising mnici#al circits as organize! n!er A!ministrati5e &r!er *o. 77, isse!

on Jne 17, 19= b" the #reme ort #rsant to Presi!ential Decree *o. @7=, are hereb"

constitte! as mnici#al circits %or #r#oses o% the establishment o% the Mnici#al ircit Trial

orts, an! the a##ointment thereto o% Mnici#al ircit Trial J!ges: Pro5i!e!, ho0e5er, That the

#reme ort ma", as the interests o% ?stice ma" reire, %rther reorganize the sai! corts ta/ing

into accont 0or/loa!, geogra#hical location, an! sch other %actors as 0ill contribte to a rational

allocation thereo%, #rsant to the #ro5isions o% Presi!ential Decree *o. @7= 0hich shall be

a##licable inso%ar as the" are not inconsistent 0ith this Act.

'5er" Mnici#al ircit Trial J!ge shall be a##ointe! to a mnici#al circit 0hich shall be his o%%icial

station.

The #reme ort shall !etermine the cit" or mnici#alit" 0here the Mnici#al ircit Trial ort

shall hol! sessions.

ection 72. Jris!iction o% Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts an! Mnici#al ircit

Trial orts in criminal cases. 'ce#t in cases %alling 0ithin the eclsi5e original ?ris!iction o%

Regional Trial orts an! o% the an!iganba"an, the Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trialorts, an! Mnici#al ircit Trial orts shall eercise:

81; 'clsi5e original ?ris!iction o5er all 5iolations o% cit" or mnici#al or!inances committe! 0ithin

their res#ecti5e territorial ?ris!ictionE an!

82; 'clsi5e original ?ris!iction o5er all o%%enses #nishable 0ith im#risonment not ecee!ing si

8; "ears irres#ecti5e o% the amont o% %ine, an! regar!less o% other im#osable accessor" or other


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#enalties, incl!ing the ci5il liabilit" arising %rom sch o%%enses or #re!icate! thereon, irres#ecti5e o%

/in!, natre, 5ale, or amont thereo%: Pro5i!e!, ho0e5er, That in o%%enses in5ol5ing !amage to

#ro#ert" throgh criminal negligence the" shall ha5e eclsi5e original ?ris!iction thereo%. 8as

amen!e! b" R.A, *o. =91;

ection 77. Jris!iction o% Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts an! Mnici#al ircit

Trial orts in ci5il cases. Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts, an! Mnici#al ircit

Trial orts shall eercise:

81; 'clsi5e original ?ris!iction o5er ci5il actions an! #robate #rocee!ings, testate an! intestate,

incl!ing the grant o% #ro5isional reme!ies in #ro#er cases, 0here the 5ale o% the #ersonal

#ro#ert", estate, or amont o% the !eman! !oes not ecee! &ne hn!re! thosan! #esos

8P133,333.33; or, in Metro Manila 0here sch #ersonal #ro#ert", estate, or amont o% the !eman!

!oes not ecee! T0o hn!re! thosan! #esos 8P233,333.33; eclsi5e o% interest !amages o%

0hate5er /in!, attorne"Ks %ees, litigation e#enses, an! costs, the amont o% 0hich mst be

s#eci%icall" allege!: Pro5i!e!, That 0here there are se5eral claims or cases o% action bet0een the

same or !i%%erent #arties, embo!ie! in the same com#laint, the amont o% the !eman! shall be the

totalit" o% the claims in all the cases o% action, irres#ecti5e o% 0hether the cases o% action arose ot

o% the same or !i%%erent transactionsE

82; 'clsi5e original ?ris!iction o5er cases o% %orcible entr" an! nla0%l !etainer: Pro5i!e!, That

0hen, in sch cases, the !e%en!ant raises the estion o% o0nershi# in his #lea!ings an! the

estion o% #ossession cannot be resol5e! 0ithot !eci!ing the isse o% o0nershi#, the isse o%

o0nershi# shall be resol5e! onl" to !etermine the isse o% #ossession.

87; 'clsi5e original ?ris!iction in all ci5il actions 0hich in5ol5e title to, or #ossession o%, real

#ro#ert", or an" interest therein 0here the assesse! 5ale o% the #ro#ert" or interest therein !oes

not ecee! T0ent" thosan! #esos 8P23,333.33; or, in ci5il actions in Metro Manila, 0here sch

assesse! 5ale !oes not ecee! $i%t" thosan! #esos 8P@3,333.33; eclsi5e o% interest, !amages

o% 0hate5er /in!, attorne"Ks %ees, litigation e#enses an! costs: Pro5i!e!, That 5ale o% sch

#ro#ert" shall be !etermine! b" the assesse! 5ale o% the a!?acent lots. 8as amen!e! b" R.A. *o.

=91;

ection 7


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ection 7@. #ecial ?ris!iction in certain cases. )n the absence o% all the Regional Trial J!ges in a

#ro5ince or cit", an" Metro#olitan Trial J!ge, Mnici#al Trial J!ge, Mnici#al ircit Trial J!ge

ma" hear an! !eci!e #etitions %or a 0rit o% habeas cor#s or a##lications %or bail in criminal cases in

the #ro5ince or cit" 0here the absent Regional Trial J!ges sit.

ection 7. mmar" #roce!res in s#ecial cases. )n Metro#olitan Trial orts an! Mnici#al Trial

orts 0ith at least t0o branches, the #reme ort ma" !esignate one or more branches thereo%

to tr" eclsi5el" %orcible entr" an! nla0%l !etainer cases, those in5ol5ing 5iolations o% tra%%ic la0s,

rles an! reglations, 5iolations o% the rental la0, an! sch other cases reiring smmar"

!is#osition as the #reme ort ma" !etermine. The #reme ort shall a!o#t s#ecial rles or

#roce!res a##licable to sch cases in or!er to achie5e an e#e!itios an! ine#ensi5e

!etermination thereo% 0ithot regar! to technical rles. ch sim#li%ie! #roce!res ma" #ro5i!e that

a%%i!a5its an! conter>a%%i!a5its ma" be a!mitte! in lie o% oral testimon" an! that the #erio!s %or

%iling #lea!ings shall be non>eten!ible.

ection 7=. Preliminar" in5estigation. J!ges o% Metro#olitan Trial orts, ece#t those in the

*ational a#ital Region, o% Mnici#al Trial orts, an! Mnici#al ircit Trial orts shall ha5e

athorit" to con!ct #reliminar" in5estigation o% crimes allege! to ha5e been committe! 0ithin their

res#ecti5e territorial ?ris!ictions 0hich are cognizable b" the Regional Trial orts.

The #reliminar" in5estigation shall be con!cte! in accor!ance 0ith the #roce!re #rescribe! in

ection 1, #aragra#hs 8a;, 8b;, 8c;, an! 8!;, o% Presi!ential Decree *o. 911: Pro5i!e!, ho0e5er, That

i% a%ter the #reliminar" in5estigation the J!ge %in!s a #rima %acie case, he shall %or0ar! the recor!s

o% the case to the Pro5incialit" $iscal %or the %iling o% the corres#on!ing in%ormation 0ith the #ro#er

cort.

*o 0arrant o% arrest shall be isse! b" the J!ge in connection 0ith an" criminal com#laint %ile! 0ith

him %or #reliminar" in5estigation, nless a%ter an eamination in 0riting an! n!er oath or a%%irmation

o% the com#lainant an! his 0itnesses, he %in!s that a #robable case eists.

An" 0arrant o% arrest isse! in accor!ance here0ith ma" be ser5e! an"0here in the Phili##ines.

ection 7. J!gments an! #rocesses.

81; All ?!gments !etermining the merits o% cases shall be in 0riting, stating clearl" the %acts an! the

la0 on 0hich the" 0ere base!, signe! b" the J!ge an! %ile! 0ith the ler/ o% ort. ch ?!gment

shall be a##ealable to the Regional Trial orts in accor!ance 0ith the #roce!re no0 #rescribe! b"

la0 %or a##eals to the ort o% $irst )nstance, b" the #ro5isions o% this Act, an! b" sch rles as the

#reme ort ma" herea%ter #rescribe.


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82; All #rocesses isse! b" the Metro#olitan Trial orts, Mnici#al Trial orts an! Mnici#al

ircit Trial orts, in cases %alling 0ithin their ?ris!iction, ma" be ser5e! an"0here in the

Phili##ines 0ithot the necessit" o% certi%ication b" the J!ge o% the Regional Trial ort.

-APT'R )G

'*'RA( PR&G))&*

ection 79. A##eals. The #erio! %or a##eal %rom %inal or!ers, resoltions, a0ar!s, ?!gments, or

!ecisions o% an" cort in all cases shall be %i%teen 81@; !a"s conte! %rom the notice o% the %inal

or!er, resoltion, a0ar!, ?!gment, or !ecision a##eale! %rom: Pro5i!e! ho0e5er, That in habeas

cor#s cases, the #erio! %or a##eal shall be %ort">eight 8


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ection


22/22

ection. @. A%ter %i5e8@; "ears %rom the e%%ecti5it" o% this Act, the ?ris!ictional amonts mentione! in

ec. 1987;, 81>17> e%%ecti5e March 1, 1999.

Documents

BP129-BATAS PAMBANSA