Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9680)
The title is 'An Act Creating Two Additional Branches of the Regional Trial Court in the City of Balanga and Three Additional Branches of the Regional Trial Court in the Municipalities of Mariveles and Dinalupihan, Province of Bataan, Amending for the Purpose Section 14, Paragraph (c) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", as Amended by Republic Act No. 7154 and Appropriating Funds Therefor.'
It amends Section 14, paragraph (c) to increase the number of Regional Trial Court branches in the Third Judicial Region, specifically creating two additional branches in the City of Balanga and three additional branches in the municipalities of Mariveles and Dinalupihan, Province of Bataan.
Ninety-four Regional Trial Court judges shall be commissioned for the Third Judicial Region.
There will be ten branches with seats at Balanga, Mariveles, and Dinalupihan in the Province of Bataan.
The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in coordination with the Secretary of the Department of Justice, is tasked with the operationalization of the additional branches.
Five (5) additional Regional Trial Court branches are created—two in the City of Balanga, and three in the municipalities of Mariveles and Dinalupihan.
The funding for the additional branches shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The Act took effect upon its approval on July 29, 2009.
The Act was approved by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and it was passed by the Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Speaker of the House Prospero C. Nograles.
Amending Section 14, paragraph (c) increases the number of Regional Trial Court branches in specific areas, thereby enhancing the capacity of the judiciary to dispense justice efficiently within those localities.