Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 3090)
A person must have been a Philippine citizen for at least ten years and must have practiced law in the Philippines for not less than ten years or held an office requiring admission to the practice of law in the Philippines as an indispensable requisite for a like period.
The District Judge shall receive compensation at the rate of sixteen thousand pesos per annum.
The Judicial Superintendent of the Judiciary Division receives the same compensation, rank, and privileges as the District Judge.
Fifteen judges are commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District.
Three judges in Davao City and Province, three judges in Cotabato, two judges in Occidental Misamis and Ozamis City, two judges in Zamboanga del Norte, one judge each in Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, and Basilan City, and two judges in Sulu.
Permanent stations include: three judges in Davao City, two in Cotabato City, one in General Santos, one in Oroquieta, one in Ozamis City, two in Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), one in Pagadian (Zamboanga del Sur), one in Zamboanga City, one in Basilan City, one in Jolo (Sulu), and one in Siasi (Sulu).
Terms of court can be held in municipalities like Sindangan, Banganga, and Mati at dates fixed by district judges. In Sulu, terms can be held whenever required in the interest of justice. The Secretary of Justice may advance, postpone, or transfer terms of court based on weather, road/transport conditions, case numbers, or administration interests.
They do not have jurisdiction over civil actions where the subject is not capable of pecuniary estimation (except forcible entry and detainer cases), cases involving legality of tax, impost or assessment, admiralty or maritime jurisdiction, probate matters, appointment of trustees or receivers, and annulment of marriages.
With the approval of the Secretary of Justice and assignment by the district judge, for cases covering lots without controversy or opposition, or contested lots with a value not exceeding five thousand pesos, as determined by an affidavit, claimant agreement, or tax declaration.
The Act took effect upon its approval on June 17, 1961.