Law Summary
Purpose and Objective
- To ensure the immediate implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay Law.
- Establishes a system of amicable dispute settlement at the barangay level.
- Aims to decongest the dockets of the courts by resolving disputes early.
Mandatory Conciliation Requirement
- Strict enforcement of conciliation as a pre-condition to filing any complaint, petition, action, or proceeding involving matters under the Lupong Tagapayapa’s jurisdiction.
- Parties must exhaust barangay settlement procedures before escalating cases to the courts.
Data Collection and Reporting Requirements
- Judges and prosecuting officers to compile data on cases/offenses pending in courts which should have been handled by the Lupong Tagapayapa but where barangay settlement was not available.
- Initial comprehensive report to be submitted within 60 days from the effectivity of the order.
- Monthly reports to follow, indicating cases avoided in courts due to barangay settlement procedures.
Oversight and Implementation
- Reports from judges to be submitted to the Supreme Court.
- Reports from fiscals and prosecutors to be submitted to the Minister of Justice.
- The Supreme Court and the Minister of Justice tasked with issuing further implementing directives to achieve the objectives stated.
Legal and Administrative Significance
- Reinforces the jurisdiction of the Lupong Tagapayapa as a venue for dispute settlement.
- Integrates barangay conciliation as a compulsory step in the legal process.
- Part of a broader effort to improve judicial efficiency and promote alternative dispute resolution at the community level.