Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6264)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 6264 is to further amend Section Fifty of the Judiciary Act of 1948, specifically regarding the number and assignment of judges commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District.
Thirty-four judges are commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District.
- 12 judges for Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, and Davao City (1st to 12th branches). - 4 judges for Cotabato and Cotabato City (1st to 4th branches). - 2 judges for South Cotabato, General Santos City, and Koronadal (1st and 2nd branches). - 3 judges for Occidental Misamis, Ozamis City, and Tangub City (1st to 3rd branches). - 4 judges for Zamboanga del Norte, Dapitan City, and Dipolog Municipality (1st to 4th branches). - 3 judges for Zamboanga del Sur (1st to 3rd branches). - 2 judges for Zamboanga City (1st and 2nd branches). - 1 judge for Basilan City (1st branch). - 3 judges for Sulu (1st to 3rd branches).
Twelve judges preside over the Courts of First Instance in those provinces and city.
Cotabato and Cotabato City, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Dapitan City, and the Municipality of Dipolog have four judges each.
Two judges are assigned to the Courts of First Instance of Zamboanga City.
One judge presides over the Courts of First Instance of Basilan City.
The legislative basis is the amendment made by Republic Act No. 6264 to Section Fifty, paragraph sixteen of Republic Act No. 296, known as the Judiciary Act of 1948.
The act took effect upon its approval on June 19, 1971.
Judges are assigned to various branches designated as first, second, third, etc., depending on the province or city, reflecting different branches of the Courts of First Instance in the district.