Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 722)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 722 is to amend the Judiciary Act by including newly created provinces in the Sixteenth Judicial District of the Courts of First Instance, commissioning judges therefor, and fixing their permanent stations.
The province of Tawi-Tawi was created out of certain municipalities that were removed from the territorial jurisdiction of the province of Sulu.
The undivided province of Cotabato was divided into three provinces known as North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.
In the undivided province of Sulu, all three branches of the Court of First Instance were permanently stationed in the Municipality of Jolo. In the undivided province of Cotabato, three branches were stationed in Cotabato City and one in the Municipality of Pagalungan (now in Maguindanao).
It was necessary to establish Courts of First Instance in newly created provinces for the effective administration of justice, which is essential to the political, social, and economic stability of the provinces.
The Sixteenth Judicial District is constituted to include the provinces of Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Occidental Misamis, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as cities including Davao, Cotabato, General Santos, Ozamis, Tangub, Dapitan, Dipolog, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Basilan City, and others.
Thirty-six judges are commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District: twelve judges for Davao provinces and City, six for North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, and Sultan Kudarat, two for South Cotabato and General Santos City, three for Occidental Misamis and associated cities, four for Zamboanga del Norte and cities, three for Zamboanga del Sur, two for Zamboanga City, one for Basilan and Basilan City, two for Sulu, and one for Tawi-Tawi.
Permanent stations include: four judges in Davao City, two in Mati (Davao Oriental), two in Digos (Davao del Sur), two in Tagum (Davao del Norte), one in Nabunturan (Davao del Norte), one in Baganga (Davao Oriental), two in Cotabato City, one in Maganoy (Maguindanao), two in Kidapawan (North Cotabato), one in Isulan (Sultan Kudarat), one in General Santos City, one in Koronadal (South Cotabato), two in Oroquieta (Occidental Misamis), one in Ozamis, three in Dipolog, one in Sindangan (Zamboanga del Norte), three in Pagadian, two in Zamboanga City, one in Basilan City, two in Jolo (Sulu), and one in Bongao (Tawi-Tawi).
PD No. 722 repeals or modifies all provisions of existing laws, orders, rules, and regulations that are contrary to or inconsistent with its provisions.
Presidential Decree No. 722 took effect immediately upon issuance on June 3, 1975.