Amendment of Judiciary Act for New Provinces

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PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 722: Amendment of Judiciary Act for New Provinces

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Title Source: Supreme Court: Amendment of Judiciary Act for New Provinces

Law: Presidential Decree No. 722

Decision Date: Jun 3, 1975

Presidential Decree No. 722 amends the Judiciary Act to establish a Court of First Instance in newly created provinces in the Sixteenth Judicial District, ensuring effective administration of justice and stability in the region.

Necessity for Judicial Branches in Newly Created Provinces

Lack of CFIs in Tawi-Tawi, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat hinders effective justice administration.
Establishing courts in these provinces is essential for their political, social, and economic stability.

Amendment of Judicial Districts (Section 1)

The Sixteenth Judicial District expanded to include the newly created provinces and cities:
- Provinces: 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, Tawi-Tawi
- Cities: Davao, Cotabato, General Santos, Ozamis, Tangub, Dapitan, Dipolog, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Basilan City

Commissioning and Allocation of Judges (Section 2)

Thirty-six judges commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District, distributed as follows:
- 12 judges for Davao provinces and Davao City (1st to 12th branches)
- 6 judges for North Cotabato, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat (1st to 6th branches)
- 2 judges for South Cotabato, General Santos, Koronadal (1st and 2nd branches)
- 3 judges for Occidental Misamis and Ozamis, Tangub (1st to 3rd branches)
- 4 judges for Zamboanga del Norte and Dapitan, Dipolog (1st to 4th branches)
- 3 judges for Zamboanga del Sur
- 2 judges for Zamboanga City
- 1 judge for Basilan and Basilan City
- 2 judges for Sulu (1st and 2nd branches)
- 1 judge for Tawi-Tawi

Fixing Permanent Stations of Judges (Section 3)

Judges are permanently stationed in strategic locations to serve the provinces effectively, including:
- Davao City, Mati, Digos, Tagum, Nabunturan, Baganga (Davao provinces)
- Cotabato City, Maganoy (Maguindanao), Kidapawan (North Cotabato), Isulan (Sultan Kudarat)
- General Santos, Koronadal (South Cotabato)
- Oroquieta, Ozamis, Dipolog, Sindangan, Pagadian (Zamboanga del Norte)
- Zamboanga City, Basilan City, Jolo (Sulu), Bongao (Tawi-Tawi)

Repeal and Modification of Conflicting Provisions (Section 4)

Any previous laws, orders, or rules inconsistent with these amendments are repealed or modified accordingly.

Effectivity (Section 5)

The decree takes immediate effect upon issuance.

END