Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9252)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 9252 is to amend Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, specifically to increase or specify the number of branches of Municipal Trial Courts in certain cities that do not form part of a metropolitan area.
Cities provided with more than one branch include Laoag City (2 branches), Baguio City (4 branches), Dagupan (3 branches), Olongapo City (5 branches), Cabanatuan City (3 branches), San Jose City (2 branches), Angeles City (3 branches), Cavite City (2 branches), Batangas City (2 branches), San Pablo City (3 branches), Lucena City (2 branches), Naga City (3 branches), Iriga City (3 branches), Legaspi City (3 branches), Roxas City (2 branches), Iloilo City (4 branches), Bacolod City (7 branches), Dumaguete City (2 branches), Tacloban City (2 branches), Cebu City (8 branches), Mandaue City (3 branches), Tagbilaran City (2 branches), Surigao City (2 branches), Butuan City (2 branches), Cagayan De Oro City (5 branches), Davao City (7 branches), General Santos City (3 branches), Oroquieta City (2 branches), Ozamis City (3 branches), Dipolog City (2 branches), Zamboanga City (4 branches), Pagadian City (2 branches), and Iligan City (2 branches).
According to RA 9252, San Pablo City has three (3) branches of the Municipal Trial Court.
The new branches established are known as Municipal Trial Court of San Pablo Branch II and Branch III.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Justice, is responsible for including the new branches in its operational program and issuing the necessary rules and regulations.
The funding for the additional branches shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Republic Act No. 9252 took effect upon its approval on February 24, 2004.
RA 9252 amends Section 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980.
Specifying the number of branches provides clarity on the judicial resources available in each city to handle municipal-level cases, thus potentially improving access to justice and judicial efficiency in those cities.
No, RA 9252 specifically applies to cities which do not form part of a metropolitan area.