REPUBLIC ACT NO. 296 THE JUDICIARY ACT OF 1948 CHAPTER I General Provisions Section 1. Title of Act.

This Act shall be known as the Ju iciar! Act o" 1#$%. Section &. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and other courts. The courts re"erre to in this Act are the Su're(e Court) the Court o" A''eals) the Courts o" *irst Instance) the +unici'al Courts an the Justice o" the Peace Courts. Section ,. Special provision in oath of judges. The oath o" o""ice o" -u .es) inclu in. -ustices o" the 'eace an -u .es o" (unici'al courts) shall contain) in a ition to the (atters 'rescribe in section twent!/three o" the Revise A (inistrative Co e) a eclaration to the e""ect that the a""iant will a (inister -ustice without res'ect to 'erson an o e0ual ri.ht to the 'oor an the rich. The oath o" o""ice o" the -ustice o" the 'eace an -u .e o" a (unici'al court shall be the sa(e in substance as that 'rescribe "or a -u .e o" "irst instance. Sai oath shall be "ile with the clerk o" Court o" *irst Instance in the 'rovince or cit!) as the case (a! be) an shall be there 'reserve . Section $. Preservation of oath of office of judge. The oath o" o""ice o" a -u .e shall be "ile with the clerk o" the court to which the a""iant 'ertains an shall be entere u'on its recor s. 1here a -u .e is authori2e b! law to e3ercise his "unctions in (ore than one court) it shall su""ice i" his oath is recor e in the court where he has his o""icial station. Section 4. Judges certificate as to work completed. 5istrict -u .es) -u .es/at/lar.e) ca astral -u .es) -u .es o" (unici'al courts) an -ustices o" the 'eace shall certi"! on their a''lications "or leave) an u'on salar! vouchers 'resente b! the( "or 'a!(ent) or u'on the 'a! rolls u'on which their salaries are 'ai ) that all s'ecial 'rocee in.s) a''lications) 'etitions) (otions) an all civil an cri(inal cases which have been un er sub(ission "or ecision or eter(ination "or a 'erio o" ninet! a!s or (ore have been eter(ine an eci e on or be"ore the ate o" (akin. the certi"icate) an no leave shall be .rante an no salar! shall be 'ai without such certi"icate. In case an! s'ecial 'rocee in.) a''lication) 'etition) (otion) civil or cri(inal case is resub(itte u'on the voluntar! a''lication or consent in writin. o" all the 'arties to the case) cause) or 'rocee in.) an not otherwise) the ninet! a!s herein 'rescribe within which a ecision shoul be (a e shall be.in to run "ro( the ate o" such resub(ission. Section 6. isposition of mone!s paid into court. All (one!s accruin. to the Govern(ent in the Su're(e Court) in the Court o" A''eals) an in the Courts o" *irst Instance) inclu in. "ees) "ines) "or"eitures) costs) or other (iscellaneous recei'ts) an all trust or e'ositor! "un s 'ai into such courts shall be receive b! the corres'on in. clerk o" court) an ) in the absence o" s'ecial 'rovision) shall be 'ai b! hi( into the 7ational Treasur! to the cre it o" the 'ro'er account or "un an un er such re.ulations as shall be 'rescribe b! the Au itor General.

A clerk shall not receive (one! belon.in. to 'rivate 'arties e3ce't where the sa(e is 'ai to hi( or into court b! authorit! o" law. Section 8. is"ursement of funds for judiciar! esta"lishment. E3ce't as otherwise s'eciall! 'rovi e ) national "un s available "or the -u iciar! establish(ent shall be isburse b! the isbursin. o""icer o" the 9ureau o" Justice. Section %. Annual report of clerks of courts. The clerk o" the Su're(e Court) the clerk o" the Court o" A''eals) an all clerks o" Courts o" *irst Instance shall (ake annual re'orts to the Solicitor General) o" such sco'e an in such "or( as shall be b! the latter 'rescribe ) concernin. the business one in their res'ective courts urin. the !ear. CHAPTER II Su're(e Court Section #. The Supreme Court# $uorum of the Court# designation of Justices of the Court of Appeals and istrict Judges to sit in the Supreme Court# num"er of Justices necessar! to reach a decision. The Su're(e Court o" the Phili''ines shall consist o" a Chie" Justice an ten Associate Justices) which shall sit in "anc in the hearin. an eter(ination o" all cases within its -uris iction. The 'resence o" si3 Justices shall be necessar! to constitute a 0uoru( e3ce't when the -u .(ent o" the lower court i('oses the eath 'enalt!) in which case the 'resence o" ei.ht Justices shall be necessar! to constitute a 0uoru(. In the absence o" a 0uoru() the Court shall stan ipso facto a -ourne until such ti(e as the re0uisite nu(ber shall be 'resent) an a (e(oran u( showin. this "act shall be inserte b! the clerk in the (inutes o" the court. I" on account o" illness) absence) or inca'acit! u'on an! o" the .roun s (entione in Section one) Rule :ne hun re an twent!/si3 o" the Rules o" Court) o" an! o" the Justices o" the Su're(e Court) or whenever) b! reason o" te('orar! isabilit! o" an! Justice thereo" or vacancies occurrin. therein) the re0uisite nu(ber o" Justices necessar! to constitute a 0uoru( or to ren er a -u .(ent in an! .iven case) as hereto"ore 'rovi e ) is not 'resent) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) u'on the reco((en ation o" the Chie" Justice) (a! esi.nate such nu(ber o" Justices o" the Court o" A''eals or 5istrict Ju .es as (a! be necessar!) to sit te('oraril! as Justices o" the Su're(e Court) in or er to "or( a 0uoru() or until a -u .(ent in sai case is reache ; Provided, however) That no Justice o" the Court o" A''eals or 5istrict Ju .e (a! be esi.nate to act in an! case in the ecision o" which he has taken 'art. The concurrence o" at least si3 Justices o" the Court shall be necessar! "or the 'ronounce(ent o" a -u .(ent. However) "or the 'ur'ose o" eclarin. a law or a treat! unconstitutional) at least ei.ht Justices (ust concur. 1hen the necessar! (a-orit!) as herein 'rovi e ) to eclare a law or a treat! unconstitutional cannot be ha ) the Court shall so eclare) an in such case the vali it! or constitutionalit! o" the Act or treat! involve shall be ee(e u'hel . 1henever the -u .(ent o" the lower court i('oses the eath 'enalt!) the case shall be eter(ine b! ei.ht Justices o" the Court. 1hen ei.ht Justices "ail to reach a ecision as herein 'rovi e ) the 'enalt! ne3t lower in e.ree than the eath shall be i('ose .

Section 1<. Place of holding sessions. The Su're(e Court shall hol its sessions in the Cit! o" +anila. 1henever the 'ublic interest so re0uires) it (a! hol its sessions in an! other 'lace within the Phili''ines. Section 11. Appointment of Justices of the Supreme Court. The Chie" Justice an the Associate Justice o" the Su're(e Court shall be a''ointe b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) with the consent o" the Co((ission on A''oint(ents. The Chie" Justice o" the Su're(e Court shall be so esi.nate in his co((ission= an the Associate Justice shall have 'rece ence accor in. to the ates o" their res'ective co((issions) or) when the co((issions o" two or (ore o" the( bear the sa(e ate) accor in. to the or er in which their co((issions (a! have been issue b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines; Provided, however) That an! (e(ber o" the Su're(e Court who has been rea''ointe to that Court a"ter ren erin. service in an! other branch o" the Govern(ent shall retain the 'rece ence to which he is entitle un er his ori.inal a''oint(ent an his service in the Court shall) to all intents an 'ur'oses) be consi ere as continuous an uninterru'te . Section 1&. %acanc! in office of Chief Justice. In case o" a vacanc! in the o""ice o" Chie" Justice o" the Su're(e Court or o" his inabilit! to 'er"or( the uties an 'owers o" his o""ice) the! shall evolve u'on the Associate Justice who is "irst in 'rece ence) until such isabilit! is re(ove ) or another Chie" Justice is a''ointe an ul! 0uali"ie . This 'rovision shall a''l! to ever! Associate Justice who succee s to the o""ice o" Chie" Justice. Section 1,. Authorit! of Supreme Court over administration of its own affairs. The Su're(e Court shall have e3clusive a (inistrative control o" all (atters a""ectin. the internal o'erations o" the Court. Section 1$. Status of su"ordinates. E3ce't as re.ar s the a''oint(ent an co('ensation o" the Re'orter) Clerk) an such 'rivate secretaries to the in ivi ual Justices as the Court (a! authori2e) all subor inates an e('lo!ees o" the Su're(e Court shall be .overne b! the 'rovisions o" the Civil Service >aw= but the Court (a!) b! resolution) re(ove an! o" the( "or cause. Section 14. Clerk of the Supreme Court# his appointment# his compensation# his "ond. The Su're(e Court o" the Phili''ines shall a''oint a Clerk o" Court who shall e3ercise 'owers an 'er"or( uties in re.ar to all (atters within its -uris iction) as are hereto"ore e3ercise an 'er"or(e b! the Clerk o" the Su're(e Court o" the Phili''ines= an in the e3ercise o" those 'owers an in the 'er"or(ance o" those uties the Clerk shall be un er the irection o" the Court. 7o 'erson (a! be a''ointe Clerk o" the Su're(e Court unless he has been en.a.e "or "ive !ears or (ore in the 'ractice o" law) or has been clerk or e'ut! clerk o" a court o" recor "or the sa(e 'erio o" ti(e. The clerk shall have the rank o" a bureau irector an shall receive an annual co('ensation o" seven thousan an two hun re 'esos. 9e"ore enterin. u'on the ischar.e o" the uties o" his o""ice) he shall "ile a bon in the a(ount o" si3 thousan 'esos) such bon to be a''rove b! the Treasurer o" the Phili''ines. The bon shall be ke't in the :""ice o" the Treasurer o" the Phili''ines an entere in his books) the sa(e bein. sub-ect to ins'ection b! intereste 'arties.

The Clerk o" Court (a! re0uire an! o" his e'uties or assistants to .ive an a e0uate bon as securit! a.ainst loss b! reason o" an! wron. oin.s or .ross ne.li.ence on the 'art o" such e'uties or assistants. Section 16. %acation period. The re.ular sessions o" the Su're(e Court (a!) in the iscretion o" the Court) be sus'en e "or the 'erio be.innin. with the "irst o" A'ril an closin. with the "i"teenth o" June o" each !ear) which) in case o" such sus'ension) shall be known as the Su're(e Court vacation. 5urin. vacation at least one o" the Justices) to be esi.nate in such (anner as the Court b! resolution shall irect) shall re(ain on ut!. Section 18. Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. The Su're(e Court shall have ori.inal -uris iction over cases a""ectin. a(bassa ors) other 'ublic (inisters) an consuls= an ori.inal an e3clusive -uris iction in 'etitions "or the issuance o" writs o" certiorari) 'rohibition an (an a(us a.ainst the Court o" A''eals. In the "ollowin. cases) the Su're(e Court shall e3ercise ori.inal an concurrent -uris iction with Court o" *irst Instance; 1. In 'etitions "or the issuance o" writs o" certiorari) 'rohibition) (an a(us) $uo warranto) an ha"eas corpus= &. In actions between the Ro(an Catholic Church an the (unici'alities or towns) or the *ili'ino In e'en ent Church "or controvers! as to title to) or ownershi') a (inistration or 'ossession o" hos'itals) convents) ce(eteries or other 'ro'erties use in connection therewith= ,. In actions brou.ht b! the Govern(ent o" the Phili''ines a.ainst the Ro(an Catholic Church or vice versa "or the title to) or ownershi' o") hos'itals) as!lu(s) charitable institutions) or an! other kin o" 'ro'ert!= an $. In actions brou.ht to 'revent an restrain violations o" law concernin. (ono'olies an co(binations in restraint o" tra e. The Su're(e Court shall have e3clusive -uris iction to review) revise) reverse) (o i"! or a""ir( on a''eal) certiorari or writ o" error) as the law or rules o" court (a! 'rovi e) "inal -u .(ent an ecrees o" in"erior courts as herein 'rovi e ) in ?1@ All cases in which the constitutionalit! or vali it! o" an! treat!) law) or inance) or e3ecutive or er or re.ulation is in 0uestion= ?&@ All cases involvin. the le.alit! o" an! ta3) i('ost) assess(ent or toll) or an! 'enalt! i('ose in relation thereto= ?,@ All cases in which the -uris iction o" an! in"erior court is in issue=

?$@ All cri(inal cases involvin. o""enses "or which the 'enalt! i('ose is eath or li"e i('rison(ent= an those involvin. other o""enses which) althou.h not so 'unishe ) arose out o" the sa(e occurrence or which (a! have been co((itte b! the accuse on the sa(e occasion) as that .ivin. rise to the (ore serious o""ense) re.ar less o" whether the accuse are char.e as 'rinci'als) acco('lices) or accessories) or whether the! have been trie -ointl! or se'aratel!= ?4@ All civil cases in which the value in controvers! e3cee s "i"t! thousan 'esos) e3clusive o" interests an costs) or in which the title or 'ossession o" real estate e3cee in. in value the su( o" "i"t! thousan 'esos to be ascertaine b! the oath o" a 'art! to the cause or b! other co('etent evi ence) is involve or brou.ht in 0uestion. The Su're(e Court shall likewise have e3clusive -uris iction over all a''eals in civil cases) even thou.h the value in controvers!) e3clusive o" interests an costs) is "i"t! thousan 'esos or less) when the evi ence involve in sai cases is the sa(e as the evi ence sub(itte in an a''eale civil case within the e3clusive -uris iction o" the Su're(e Court as 'rovi e herein= ?6@ All other cases in which onl! errors or 0uestions o" law are involve . Section 1%. &egular terms of Supreme Court. The Su're(e Court shall hol at +anila two re.ular ter(s "or the hearin. o" cases) the "irst co((encin. on the secon +on a! o" Januar! an the secon on the last +on a! o" June. Each re.ular ter( shall continue to an inclu e the a! be"ore the o'enin. o" the ne3t re.ular ter(. The :""ice o" the Clerk o" the Su're(e Court shall alwa!s be o'en "or the transaction o" business) e3ce't u'on law"ul holi a!s) an the Court shall alwa!s be o'en "or the transaction o" such interlocutor! business as (a! be one b! a sin.le (e(ber thereo". The sessions o" the Court "or the hearin. o" cases shall be hel on such a!s in the week) an "or such len.th o" ti(e) as the Court b! its rules (a! or er. Section 1#. Preservation of order in Supreme Court. The sheri"" o" the Cit! o" +anila or o" the 'rovince where the Su're(e Court (a! be in session shall) in 'erson or b! e'ut!) atten the sessions o" the Su're(e Court) en"orce 'ro'er ecoru( in the court roo() an 'reserve .oo or er in its 'recincts. To this en he shall carr! into e""ect the rules or or ers o" the Court (a e in this behal") or o" an! -u .e thereo") an shall arrest an! 'erson there isturbin. the court or violatin. the 'eace. Section &<. Service of process of Supreme Court. 1rits) 'rocesses) an or ers o" the Su're(e Court) or o" an! -ustice thereo") shall be serve or e3ecute b! the sheri"" o" the Cit! o" +anila or o" the 'rovince where the Su're(e Court (a! be in session) or b! an! o""icer havin. authorit! to e3ecute the writs) 'rocesses) or or ers o" a Court o" *irst Instance. Section &1. 'orm of decisions ( )hen opinion to "e reported. 1hen a ecision is ren ere b! the Su're(e Court) a written o'inion or (e(oran u( e3e('li"!in. the .roun an sco'e o" the -u .(ent o" the court shall be "ile with the Clerk o" the Court an shall be b! hi( recor e in an o'inion book. 1hen the Court shall ee( a ecision to be o" su""icient i('ortance to re0uire 'ublication) the Clerk shall "urnish a certi"ie co'! thereo" to the Re'orter. 5issentin. o'inions shall be 'ublishe when the -ustices writin. such o'inions shall so irect.

Section &&. Preparation of opinions for pu"lication. The Re'orter shall 're'are an 'ublish with each re'orte ecision a concise s!no'sis o" the "acts necessar! to a clear un erstan in. o" the case an shall state the na(es o" counsel) an concisel! the (aterial an controverte 'oints (a e) an the authorit! therein cite b! the() an shall 're"i3 to each case a s!llabus) which shall be con"ine ) as near as (a! be) to 'oints o" law eci e b! the Court on the "acts o" the case) without a recital therein o" the "acts. Section &,. *eneral make+up of volumes. Each volu(e o" the ecisions o" the Su're(e Court shall contain a table o" the cases re'orte an o" the cases cite in the o'inions an a "ull an al'habetical in e3 o" the sub-ect (atters o" the volu(e 're'are b! the Re'orter) shall contain not less than seven hun re an "i"t! 'a.es o" 'rinte (atter) shall be well 'rinte ) u'on .oo 'a'er) an well boun in the best law shee' substantiall! in the (anner o" the re'orts o" the ecisions o" the Su're(e Court o" the Anite States) an shall be st!le BPhili''ine Re'orts)C an nu(bere consecutivel!) in the or er o" the volu(es 'ublishe . CHAPTER III Court o" A''eals Section &$. The Court of Appeals. The Court o" A''eals o" the Phili''ines shall consist o" a Presi in. Justice an "ourteen Associate Justices who shall be a''ointe b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) with the consent o" the Co((ission on A''oint(ents o" the Con.ress. The Presi in. Justice o" the Court o" A''eals shall be so esi.nate in his co((ission) an the other Justices o" the Court shall have 'rece ence accor in. to the ates o" their res'ective co((issions) or when the co((issions o" two or (ore o" the( shall bear the sa(e ate) accor in. to the or er in which their co((issions have been issue b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines. The Presi in. Justice an the Associate Justices o" the Court o" A''eals shall not be re(ove "ro( o""ice e3ce't on i('each(ent u'on the .roun s an in the (anner 'rovi e "or in Article ID o" the Constitution. The Court o" A''eals) shall) as a bo !) sit in "anc) but it (a! sit in "ive ivisions o" three Justices each. The "ive ivisions (a! sit at the sa(e ti(e. Section &4. Presiding Justice to preside sessions of Court. I" the Presi in. Justice is 'resent in an! session o" the Court) whether in banc or in ivision) he shall 'resi e. In his absence) the Associate Justice atten in. who is "irst in 'rece ence in accor ance with the 'rece in. section o" this Act) shall 'resi e. Section &6. %acanc! in ,ffice of Presiding Justice. In case o" a vacanc! in the :""ice o" Presi in. Justice o" the Court o" A''eals) or in the event o" his inabilit! to 'er"or( the uties an 'owers o" his o""ice) the! shall evolve u'on the Associate Justice o" the Court who is "irst in 'rece ence) until such isabilit! is re(ove ) or another Presi in. Justice is a''ointe an has 0uali"ie . This 'rovision an the 'rovision o" the 'rece in. section shall a''l! to ever! Associate Justice who succee s to the o""ice o" the Presi in. Justice.

Section &8. esignation of istrict Judges to sit in the Court of Appeals. In case o" vacanc! in the o""ice o" an! one o" the Associate Justices o" the Court o" A''eals) or in the event that an! one o" sai Associate Justices is absent) or isable ) or inca'acitate "or an! reason) to 'er"or( the uties an 'owers o" his o""ice) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) u'on the reco((en ation o" the Presi in. Justice o" the Court o" A''eals) (a! esi.nate a 5istrict Ju .e to sit te('oraril! in the Court o" A''eals) until such isabilit! is re(ove or the vacanc! is 'er(anentl! "ille . However) no 5istrict Ju .e so a''ointe shall act in the Court o" A''eals in an! case in which his rulin. or ecision is the sub-ect o" review. Section &%. -ualifications and compensation of Justices of Court of Appeals. The Justices o" the Court o" A''eals shall have the sa(e 0uali"ications as those 'rovi e in the Constitution "or (e(bers o" the Su're(e Court. The Presi in. Justice o" the Court o" A''eals shall receive an annual co('ensation o" thirteen thousan 'esos) an each Associate Justice) an annual co('ensation o" twelve thousan 'esos. Section &#. Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals. The Court o" A''eals shall have e3clusive a''ellate -uris iction over all cases) actions) an 'rocee in.s not enu(erate in section seventeen o" this Act) 'ro'erl! brou.ht to it "ro( Courts o" *irst Instance. The ecision o" the Court o" A''eals in such cases shall be "inal; Provided, however) That the Su're(e Court in its iscretion (a!) in an! case involvin. a 0uestion o" law) u'on 'etition o" the 'art! a..rieve b! the ecision an un er rules an con itions that it (a! 'rescribe) re0uire b! certiorari that the sai case be certi"ie to it "or review an eter(ination) as i" the case ha been brou.ht be"ore it on a''eal. Section ,<. ,riginal jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals. The Court o" A''eals shall have ori.inal -uris iction to issue writs o" (an a(us) 'rohibition) in-unction) certiorari) ha"eas corpus) an all other au3iliar! writs an 'rocess in o" its a''ellate -uris iction. Section ,1. Transfer of cases from Supreme Court and Court of Appeals to proper court. All cases which (a! be erroneousl! brou.ht to the Su're(e Court or to the Court o" A''eals shall be sent to the 'ro'er court) which shall hear the sa(e) as i" it ha ori.inall! been brou.ht be"ore it. Section ,&. Place of holding sessions. The Court o" A''eals shall have its 'er(anent o""ice in the Cit! o" +anila. A'on the reco((en ation o" the Secretar! o" Justice) with the certi"ication o" the Presi in. Justice o" the Court o" A''eals an when 'ublic interest e(an s) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines (a! authori2e an! ivision or ivisions o" the Court to hol sessions 'erio icall! at such ti(e an 'lace outsi e the Cit! o" +anila as the Presi ent (a! eter(ine) "or the 'ur'ose o" hearin. an eci in. cases ori.inatin. "ro( a s'eci"ie .rou' o" -u icial istricts. Section ,,. -uorum of the Court. 7ine Justices o" the Court o" A''eals shall constitute a 0uoru( "or its sessions in "anc= an three Justices shall constitute a 0uoru( "or the sessions o" a ivision. In the absence o" a 0uoru() the Court or the ivision shall stan ipso facto a -ourne until such ti(e as the re0uisite nu(ber shall be 'resent) an a (e(oran u( showin. this "act shall be inserte b! the clerk in the (inutes o" the Court. The a""ir(ative vote o" ei.ht Justices is

necessar! to 'ass a resolution o" the Court in "anc. The unani(ous vote o" the three Justices o" a ivision shall be necessar! "or the 'ronounce(ent o" a -u .(ent. In the event that the three Justices o not reach a unani(ous vote) the Presi in. Justice shall esi.nate two Justices "ro( a(on. the other (e(bers o" the Court to sit te('oraril! with the() "or(in. a ivision o" "ive Justices) an the concurrence o" a (a-orit! o" such ivision shall be necessar! "or the 'ronounce(ent o" a -u .(ent. Ever! ecision o" the Court o" A''eals shall continue co('lete "in in.s o" "act on all issues 'ro'erl! raise be"ore it. All cases sub(itte to a ivision o" the Court o" A''eals "or ecision shall be eci e or ter(inate therein within the ter( in which the! were hear an sub(itte "or ecision; Provided, however) That when a case is co('licate or otherwise atten e with s'ecial circu(stances which e(an a itional ti(e "or its stu ! or consi eration) the Court o" A''eals) sittin. in "anc) (a!) u'on 'etition o" the ivision concerne ) .rant an a itional 'erio not e3cee in. three (onths "or its is'osition or ter(ination. Section ,$. istri"ution of cases "etween divisions. All the cases o" the Court o" A''eals shall be allotte between the i""erent ivisions thereo" "or trial an ecision. 1henever in an! cri(inal case sub(itte to a ivision the sai ivision shoul be o" the o'inion that the 'enalt! o" eath or li"e i('rison(ent shoul be i('ose ) the sai Court shall re"rain "ro( enterin. -u .(ent thereon an shall "orthwith certi"! the case to the Su're(e Court "or "inal eter(ination) as i" the case ha been brou.ht be"ore it on a''eal. Section ,4. Power of the Court to adopt rules. The Court o" A''eals) sittin. in "anc) shall (ake 'ro'er or ers or rules to .overn the allot(ent o" cases between the i""erent ivisions) the constitution o" such ivisions) the re.ular rotation o" Justices between the() the "ilin. o" vacancies occurrin. therein) an other (atters relatin. to the business o" the Court= an these rules shall continue in "orce until re'eale or altere b! it or b! the Su're(e Court. Section ,6. Clerk of the Court of Appeals# his appointment# his compensation# his "ond. The Court o" A''eals shall a''oint a clerk o" court) who shall e3ercise the sa(e 'owers an 'er"or( the sa(e uties in re.ar to all (atters within its -uris iction) as are e3ercise an 'er"or(e b! the clerk o" the Su're(e Court o" the Phili''ines) inso"ar as the sa(e (a! be a''licable= an in the e3ercise o" those 'owers an in the 'er"or(ance o" those uties) the clerk shall be un er the irection o" the Court. 7o 'erson (a! be a''ointe clerk o" the Court o" A''eals unless he has been en.a.e "or "ive !ears or (ore in the 'ractice o" law) or has been clerk or e'ut! clerk o" a court o" recor "or the sa(e 'erio o" ti(e. The clerk shall have the rank o" a 9ureau 5irector an shall receive an annual co('ensation o" seven thousan two hun re 'esos. 9e"ore enterin. u'on the ischar.e o" the uties o" his o""ice) he shall "ile a bon in the a(ount o" si3 thousan 'esos in the sa(e (anner an "or( as re0uire o" the clerk o" the Su're(e Court) such bon to be a''rove b! the Treasurer o" the Phili''ines. The bon shall be ke't in the o""ice o" the Treasurer o" the Phili''ines an entere in his books) the sa(e bein. sub-ect to ins'ection b! intereste 'arties.

The clerk o" court (a! re0uire an! o" his e'uties or assistants to .ive an a e0uate bon as securit! a.ainst loss b! reason o" an! wron. oin. or .ross ne.li.ence on the 'art o" such e'ut! or assistant. Section ,8. Appointment "! Court of Appeals of deput! clerks of Court and other officers. The Court (a! a''oint "ive e'ut! clerks o" court) who shall have the sa(e 0uali"ications as those o" the clerk o" Court o" A''eals) with an annual co('ensation o" "our thousan "ive hun re 'esos "or the "irst e'ut!) an three thousan nine hun re 'esos an si3t! "or the other e'ut! clerks each) an other o""icers in such nu(ber an with such co('ensation as (a! be herea"ter authori2e . Section ,%. Applica"ilit! of certain provisions of the &evised Administrative Code to Court of Appeals. The 'rovisions o" sections ten) thirteen) "ourteen) "i"teen) seventeen) ei.hteen) nineteen) twent!/one) twent!/two) an si3t!/si3 o" this Act) an ei.ht!/nine o" the Revise A (inistrative Co e) shall be a''licable to the Court o" A''eals) in so "ar as the! (a! be o" 'ossible a''lication. CHAPTER IE Courts o" *irst Instance Section ,#. Courts of 'irst .nstance. Courts o" .eneral ori.inal -uris iction) known as Courts o" *irst Instance) are or.ani2e an establishe throu.hout the Phili''ines in con"or(it! with the 'rovisions o" this cha'ter. Section $<. Judges of 'irst .nstance. The -u icial "unction in Courts o" *irst Instance shall be veste in 5istrict Ju .es) Ju .es/at/>ar.e an Ca astral Ju .es) to be a''ointe an co((issione as hereina"ter 'rovi e . Section $1. /imitation upon tenure of office. 5istrict Ju .es) Ju .es/at/>ar.e an Ca astral Ju .es shall be a''ointe to serve urin. .oo behavior) until the! reach the a.e o" sevent! !ears) or beco(e inca'acitate to ischar.e the uties o" their o""ice) unless sooner re(ove in accor ance with law. Section $&. -ualification and salar!. 7o 'erson shall be a''ointe 5istrict Ju .e) Ju .e/at/ >ar.e an Ca astral Ju .e unless he has been "ive !ears a citi2en o" the Phili''ines an has 'ractise law in the Phili''ines "or a 'erio o" not less than "ive !ears or has hel urin. a like 'erio ) within the Phili''ines) an o""ice re0uirin. a (ission to the 'ractice o" law in the Phili''ines as an in is'ensable re0uisite. The 5istrict Ju .e shall receive a co('ensation at the rate o" ten thousan 'esos 'er annu() Ju .e/at/>ar.e) at the rate o" nine thousan 'esos 'er annu() an Ca astral Ju .e) at the rate o" ei.ht thousan "our hun re 'esos 'er annu(. Section $,. Jurisdiction of Courts of 'irst .nstance. The -uris iction o" the Courts o" *irst Instance shall be o" two kin s;

?a@ :ri.inal) an ?b@ A''ellate. Section $$. ,riginal jurisdiction. Courts o" *irst Instance shall have ori.inal -uris iction; ?a@ In all civil actions in which the sub-ect o" the liti.ation is not ca'able o" 'ecuniar! esti(ation= ?b@ In all civil actions which involve the title to or 'ossession o" real 'ro'ert!) or an! interest therein) or the le.alit! o" an! ta3) i('ost or assess(ent) e3ce't actions o" "orcible entr! into an etainer o" lan s or buil in.s) ori.inal -uris iction o" which is con"erre b! this Act u'on -ustice o" the 'eace courts an (unici'al courts= ?c@ In all cases in which the e(an ) e3clusive o" interest) or the value o" the 'ro'ert! in controvers!) a(ounts to (ore than two thousan 'esos= ? @ In all actions in a (iralt! an (ariti(e -uris iction) irres'ective o" the value o" the 'ro'ert! in controvers! or the a(ount o" the e(an = ?e@ In all (atters o" 'robate) both o" testate an intestate estates) a''oint(ent o" .uar ians) trustees an receivers) an in all actions "or annul(ent o" (arria.e) an in all such s'ecial cases an 'rocee in.s as are not otherwise 'rovi e "or= ?"@ In all cri(inal cases in which the 'enalt! 'rovi e b! law is i('rison(ent "or (ore than si3 (onths) or a "ine o" (ore than two hun re 'esos= ?.@ :ver all cri(es an o""enses co((itte on the hi.h seas or be!on the -uris iction o" an! countr!) or within an! o" the navi.able waters o" the Phili''ines) on boar a shi' or water cra"t o" an! kin re.istere or license in the Phili''ines in accor ance with the laws thereo". The -uris iction herein con"erre (a! be e3ercise b! the Court o" *irst Instance in an! 'rovince into which the shi' or water cra"t u'on which the cri(e or o""ense was co((itte shall co(e a"ter the co((ission thereo"; Provi e ) That the court "irst law"ull! takin. co.ni2ance thereo" shall have -uris iction o" the sa(e to the e3clusion o" all other courts in the Phili''ines= an ?h@ Sai courts an their -u .es) or an! o" the() shall have the 'ower to issue writs o" in-unction) mandamus) certiorari) 'rohibition) $uo warranto an ha"eas corpus in their res'ective 'rovinces an istricts) in the (anner 'rovi e in the Rules o" Court. Section $4. Appellate jurisdiction. Courts o" *irst Instance shall have a''ellate -uris iction over all cases arisin. in (unici'al an -ustice o" the 'eace courts) in their res'ective 'rovinces. Section $6. Clerks and other su"ordinate emplo!ees of Courts of 'irst .nstance. Clerks) e'ut! clerks) assistants) an other subor inate e('lo!ees o" Courts o" *irst Instance shall) "or a (inistrative 'ur'oses) belon. to the 5e'art(ent o" Justice= but in the 'er"or(ance o" their uties the! shall be sub-ect to the su'ervision o" the Ju .es o" the courts to which the! res'ectivel! 'ertain.

The clerks o" Courts o" *irst Instance shall be a''ointe b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines with the consent o" the Co((ission on A''oint(ents. 7o 'erson shall be a''ointe clerk o" court unless he is ul! authori2e to 'ractice law in the Phili''ines; Provi e ) however) That this re0uire(ent shall not a""ect 'ersons who) at the ate o" the a''roval o" this Act) are hol in. the 'osition o" clerk o" court) nor those who have 'reviousl! 0uali"ie in the Civil Service e3a(ination "or sai 'osition= The clerk o" a Court o" *irst Instance (a!) b! s'ecial written e'uti2ation a''rove b! the -u .e) authori2e an! suitable 'erson to act as his s'ecial e'ut! an in such ca'acit! to 'er"or( such "unctions as (a! be s'eci"ie in the authorit! .rante . Section $8. Permanent station of clerk of court. The 'er(anent station o" a clerk o" court shall be at the 'rovincial ca'ital or at the 'er(anent resi ence o" the 5istrict Ju .e 'resi in. in the court. Section $%. Provincial officer as e0+officio clerk of court. 1hen the Secretar! o" Justice shall ee( such action a visable) he (a! irect that the uties o" the clerk o" court shall be 'er"or(e b! a 'rovincial o""icer or e('lo!ee as e0+officio clerk o" court) in which case the salar! o" sai e('lo!ee or o""icer as clerk o" court) e0+officio) shall be "i3e b! the 'rovincial boar an shall be e0uitabl! istribute b! sai boar with the a''roval o" the Secretar! o" Justice between the national .overn(ent an the 'rovincial .overn(ent. Section $#. Judicial districts. Ju icial istricts "or Courts o" *irst Instance in the Phili''ines are constitute as "ollows; The *irst Ju icial 5istrict shall consist o" the Provinces o" Ca.a!an) 9atanes) Isabela) an 7ueva Ei2ca!a) an the Sub'rovince o" I"u.ao= The Secon Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Ilocos 7orte) Ilocos Sur) Abra) Cit! o" 9a.uio) +ountain Province e3ce't the Sub'rovince o" I"u.ao) an >a Anion= The Thir Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Pan.asinan an Fa(bales) an the Cit! o" 5a.u'an= The *ourth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" 7ueva Eci-a an Tarlac= The *i"th Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Pa('an.a) 9ataan) an 9ulacan= The Si3th Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Cit! o" +anila= The Seventh Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Province o" Ri2al) Gue2on Cit! an Ri2al Cit!) the Province o" Cavite) Cit! o" Cavite) the Cit! o" Ta.a!ta!) an the Province o" Palawan= The Ei.hth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Province o" >a.una) the Cit! o" San Pablo) the Province o" 9atan.as) the Cit! o" >i'a) an the Provinces o" +in oro an +arin u0ue=

The 7inth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Gue2on an Ca(arines 7orte= The Tenth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Ca(arines Sur) Alba!) Catan uanes) Sorso.on) +asbate) an Ro(blon= The Eleventh Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Ca'i2 an Iloilo) the Cit! o" Iloilo an the Province o" Anti0ue= The Twel"th Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Province o" :cci ental 7e.ros) the Cit! o" 9acolo ) the Province o" :riental 7e.ros) an the Sub'rovince o" Si0ui-or= The Thirteenth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Sa(ar an >e!te) an the Cit! o" :r(oc= The *ourteenth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Province o" Cebu) the Cit! o" Cebu an the Province o" 9ohol= The *i"teenth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Provinces o" Suri.ao) A.usan) :riental +isa(is) 9uki non) an >anao= an The Si3teenth Ju icial 5istrict) o" the Province o" 5avao) the Cit! o" 5avao) the Provinces o" Cotabato an :cci ental +isa(is) the Province o" Fa(boan.a an Fa(boan.a Cit!) an the Province o" Sulu. Section 4<. Judges of 'irst .nstance for Judicial istricts. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the *irst Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" Ca.a!an an 9atanes) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!) the -u .e o" the secon branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9atanes= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Isabela= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 7ueva Ei2ca!a an the Sub'rovince o" I"u.ao. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Secon Ju icial 5istrict. :ne -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ilocos 7orte= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" Ilocos Sur an Abra= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" the Cit! o" 9a.uio an +ountain Province e3ce't the Sub'rovince o" I"u.ao= an another -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >a Anion. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Thir Ju icial 5istrict. The! shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Pan.asinan an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon ) thir an "ourth branches thereo") res'ectivel!= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >in.a!en to be known as the -u .e o" the "irst branch= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Cit! o" 5a.u'an an shall be known as the -u .e o" the secon branch= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ta!u. an shall be known as the -u .e o" the thir branch= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >in.a!en to be known as the -u .e o" the "ourth branch who shall also 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Fa(bales) the -u .e o" the "ourth branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Fa(bales.

Three -u .es shall be co((issione "or the *ourth Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 7ueva Eci-a an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Tarlac. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the *i"th Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Pa('an.a an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!) the -u .e o" the secon branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9ataan= an two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9ulacan an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!. Ten -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict. The! shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" +anila an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon ) thir ) "ourth) "i"th) si3th) seventh) ei.hth) ninth an tenth branches) res'ectivel!. *ive -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Seventh Ju icial 5istrict. Three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Province o" Ri2al) Gue2on Cit! an Ri2al Cit! an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon ) an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Province o" Cavite an the Cities o" Cavite an Ta.a!ta!) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!) the -u .e o" the secon branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Palawan. *ive -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Ei.hth Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >a.una an the Cit! o" San Pablo) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!= two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9atan.as an the Cit! o" >i'a) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" +in oro an +arin u0ue. Three -u .es shall be co((issione "or the 7inth Ju icial 5istrict. The! shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Gue2on an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!) the -u .e o" the thir branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ca(arines 7orte. Si3 -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Tenth Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ca(arines Sur an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo") res'ectivel!= two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" Alba! an Catan uanes an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches thereo"= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Province o" Sorso.on= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" +asbate an Ro(blon. *ive -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Eleventh Ju icial 5istrict. Two -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ca'i2 an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst an secon branches= an three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Province o" Iloilo an the Cit! o" Iloilo) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches

thereo") res'ectivel!) the -u .e o" the thir branch to 'resi e also over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Anti0ue. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Twel"th Ju icial 5istrict. Three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" :cci ental 7e.ros an the Cit! o" 9acolo ) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" :riental 7e.ros an the Sub'rovince o" Si0ui-or. Si3 -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Thirteenth Ju icial 5istrict. Three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Sa(ar an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >e!te an the Cit! o" :r(oc) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the *ourteenth Ju icial 5istrict. Three -u .es shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Province o" Cebu an the Cit! o" Cebu) an shall be known as -u .es o" the "irst) secon an thir branches thereo") res'ectivel!= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9ohol. Three -u .es shall be co((issione "or the *i"teenth Ju icial 5istrict. :ne -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" Suri.ao an A.usan= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" :riental +isa(is an 9uki non= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" >anao. *our -u .es shall be co((issione "or the Si3teenth Ju icial 5istrict. :ne -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" 5avao= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Cotabato= one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Courts o" *irst Instance o" :cci ental +isa(is an Fa(boan.a Province= an one -u .e shall 'resi e over the Court o" *irst Instance o" Fa(boan.a Cit! an Sulu. Section 41. etail of judge to another district or province. 1henever a -u .e statione in an! 'rovince or branch o" a court in a 'rovince shoul certi"! to the Secretar! o" Justice that the con ition o" the ocket in his court is such as to re0uire the assistance o" an a itional -u .e) or when there is an! vacanc! in an! court or branch o" a court in a 'rovince) an there is no -u .e/ at/lar.e available to be assi.ne to sai court) the Secretar! o" Justice (a!) in the interest o" -ustice) an "or a 'erio o" not (ore than three (onths) assi.n an! -u .e o" an! other court or 'rovince within the sa(e -u icial istrict) whose ocket 'er(its his te('orar! absence "ro( sai court) to hol sessions in the court nee in. such assistance) or where such vacanc! e3ists. 7o istrict -u .e shall be assi.ne to hol sessions in a 'rovince other than that to which he is a''ointe without the a''roval o" the Su're(e Court bein. "irst ha an obtaine . Section 4&. Permanent stations of istrict Judges. The 'er(anent station o" -u .es o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict shall be in the Cit! o" +anila. In other -u icial istricts) the 'er(anent stations o" the Ju .es shall be as "ollows;

*or the *irst Ju icial 5istrict) the -u .e o" the "irst branch o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ca.a!an shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Tu.ue.arao) sa(e 'rovince= the -u .e o" the secon branch) in the (unici'alit! o" A'arri) sa(e 'rovince= one -u .e shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Ila.an) Province o" Isabela= an another -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" 9a!o(bon.) Province o" 7ueva Ei2ca!a. *or the Secon Ju icial 5istrict) one -u .e shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" >aoa.) Province o" Ilocos 7orte= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Ei.an) Province o" Ilocos Sur= one -u .e) in the Cit! o" 9a.uio) +ountain Province= an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" San *ernan o) Province o" >a Anion. *or the Thir Ju icial 5istrict) one -u .e shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" >in.a!en) Province o" Pan.asinan= one -u .e shall be statione in the Cit! o" 5a.u'an) sa(e 'rovince= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Iba) Province o" Fa(bales) an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Ta!u.) Province o" Pan.asinan. *or the *ourth Ju icial 5istrict) two -u .es shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Cabanatuan) Province o" 7ueva Eci-a) an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Tarlac) Province o" Tarlac. *or the *i"th Ju icial 5istrict) two -u .es shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" San *ernan o) Province o" Pa('an.a= an two -u .es) in the (unici'alit! o" +alolos) Province o" 9ulacan. *or the Seventh Ju icial 5istrict) the -u .e o" the "irst branch o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" Ri2al shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Pasi.) sa(e 'rovince= that o" the secon branch) in Ri2al Cit!= an that o" the thir branch) in Gue2on Cit!= an two -u .es) in the Cit! o" Cavite) Province o" Cavite. *or the Ei.hth Ju icial 5istrict) two -u .es shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Santa Cru2) Province o" >a.una= the -u .e o" the "irst branch o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" 9atan.as shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" 9atan.as) an that o" the secon branch in the Cit! o" >i'a) sa(e 'rovince= an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Cala'an) Province o" +in oro. *or the 7inth Ju icial 5istrict) the three -u .es shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" >ucena) Province o" Gue2on. *or the Tenth Ju icial 5istrict) two -u .es shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" 7a.a) Province o" Ca(arines Sur= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" >e.as'i) Province o" Alba!= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Sorso.on) Province o" Sorso.on= an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" +asbate) Province o" +asbate. *or the Eleventh Ju icial 5istrict) one -u .e shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Ca'i2) one in the (unici'alit! o" Calivo) Province o" Ca'i2= an three -u .es) in the Cit! o" Iloilo) Province o" Iloilo.

*or the Twel"th Ju icial 5istrict) three -u .es shall be statione in the Cit! o" 9acolo ) Province o" :cci ental 7e.ros= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" 5u(a.uete) Province o" :riental 7e.ros. *or the Thirteen Ju icial 5istrict) the -u .e o" the "irst branch o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" Sa(ar shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Catbalo.an) Province o" Sa(ar= the -u .e o" the secon branch) in the (unici'alit! o" 9oron.an) sa(e 'rovince= an the -u .e o" the thir branch) in the (unici'alit! o" >aoan.) sa(e 'rovince= the -u .e o" the "irst 9ranch o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" >e!te shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Tacloban. Province o" >e!te= the -u .e o" the secon branch) in the (unici'alit! o" +aasin an the Cit! o" :r(oc) sa(e 'rovince= an the -u .e o" the thir branch) in the (unici'alit! o" 9a!ba!) sa(e 'rovince. *or the *ourteenth Ju icial 5istrict) three -u .es shall be statione in the Cit! o" Cebu) Province o" Cebu= an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Ta.bilaran) Province o" 9ohol. *or the *i"teenth Ju icial 5istrict) one -u .e shall be statione in the (unici'alit! o" Suri.ao) Province o" Suri.ao= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Ca.a!an) Province o" :riental +isa(is= an one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" 5ansalan) Province o" >anao. *or the Si3teenth Ju icial 5istrict) one -u .e shall be statione in the Cit! o" 5avao) Province o" 5avao= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" Cotabato) Province o" Cotabato= one -u .e) in the (unici'alit! o" :ro0uieta) Province o" :cci ental +isa(is= an one -u .e) in the Cit! o" Fa(boan.a. Section 4,. Judges+at+/arge and Cadastral Judges. In a ition to the 5istrict Ju .es (entione in section "ort!/nine hereo" there shall also be a''ointe ei.hteen Ju .es/at/lar.e an "i"teen Ca astral Ju .es who shall not be assi.ne 'er(anentl! to an! -u icial istrict an who shall ren er ut! in such istrict o" 'rovince as (a!) "ro( ti(e to ti(e) be esi.nate b! the 5e'art(ent Hea . Section 4$. Places and time of holding court. *or the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict) court shall be hel in the Cit! o" +anila. In other istricts court shall be hel at the ca'itals or 'laces in which the res'ective -u .es are 'er(anentl! statione ) e3ce't as hereina"ter 'rovi e . Sessions o" court shall be convene on all workin. a!s when there are cases rea ! "or trial or other court business to be is'atche . In the "ollowin. istricts) court shall also be hel at the 'laces an ti(es hereinbelow s'eci"ie ; *irst Ju icial 5istrict; At Santo 5o(in.o e 9asco) Province o" 9atanes) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch o" each !ear. A s'ecial ter( o" court shall also be hel once a !ear) in the (unici'alities o" 9allesteros an Tuao) both o" the Province o" Ca.a!an) an at Hian.an) Sub'rovince o" I"u.ao) in the iscretion o" the istrict -u .e. Secon Ju icial 5istrict; At 9an.ue ) Province o" Abra) on the "irst Tues a! o" Januar!) +arch) June) an :ctober o" each !ear= at 9ontoc) +ountain Province) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch)

June) an 7ove(ber o" each !ear= an ) whenever the interest o" -ustice so re0uire) a s'ecial ter( o" court shall be hel at >ubua.an) Sub'rovince o" Halin.a. Seventh Ju icial 5istrict; At Coron) Province o" Palawan) on the "irst +on a! o" +arch an Au.ust o" each !ear= at Cu!o) sa(e 'rovince) on the secon Thurs a! o" +arch an Au.ust o" each !ear= an at Puerto Princesa) sa(e 'rovince) on the "ourth 1e nes a! o" +arch an Au.ust o" each !ear. Ei.hth Ju icial 5istrict; The -u .e shall hol s'ecial ter( at the (unici'alities o" >uban.) +a(bunao an San Jose) Province o" +in oro) once ever! !ear) as (a! be eter(ine b! hi(= at 9oac) Province o" +arin u0ue) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch) Jul!) Se'te(ber an 5ece(ber o" each !ear. 7inth Ju icial 5istrict; At In"anta) Province o" Gue2on) "or the (unici'alities o" In"anta) Casi.uran) 9aler an Polillo) on the "irst Tues a! o" June o" each !ear= at 5aet) Ca(arines 7orte) ter(s o" court shall be hel at least si3 ti(es a !ear on the ates to be "i3e b! the istrict -u .e. Tenth Ju icial 5istrict; At Eirac) Province o" Catan uanes) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch an Se'te(ber o" each !ear= at Ro(blon) Province o" Ro(blon) on the "irst Tues a! o" Januar!) June) an :ctober o" each !ear= an at 9a a-os) sa(e 'rovince) on the thir Tues a! o" Januar!) June) an :ctober o" each !ear. Eleventh Ju icial 5istrict; At San Jose) Province o" Anti0ue) on the "irst Tues a! o" *ebruar!) June an :ctober o" each !ear= an at Culasi) sa(e 'rovince) on the "irst Tues a! o" 5ece(ber o" each !ear. Twel"th Ju icial 5istrict; At >arena) Sub'rovince o" Si0ui-or) on the "irst Tues a! o" Au.ust o" each !ear. Thirteenth Ju icial 5istrict; The "irst branch) at Calba!o.) Province o" Sa(ar) on the "irst Tues a! o" Se'te(ber o" each !ear= an 9ase!) sa(e 'rovince) on the "irst Tues a! o" Januar! o" each !ear= an the secon branch) at :ras) sa(e 'rovince) on the "irst Tues a! o" Jul! o" each !ear) an the "irst Tues a! o" :ctober o" each !ear in Guiwan= on the thir branch) at Catar(an) sa(e 'rovince) on the "irst Tues a! o" :ctober o" each !ear. *i"teenth Ju icial 5istrict; At Cantilan) Province o" Suri.ao) on the "irst Tues a! o" Au.ust o" each !ear= at 9utuan) Province o" A.usan) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch an :ctober o" each !ear= a s'ecial ter( o" court shall also be hel once a !ear in either the (unici'alit! o" Tan a. or the (unici'alit! o" Hinatuan) Province o" Suri.ao) in the iscretion o" the istrict -u .e= at +a(ba-ao) Province o" :riental +isa(is) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch o" each !ear. A s'ecial ter( o" court shall) likewise) be hel ) once a !ear) either in the (unici'alit! o" Talisa!an or in the (unici'alit! o" Gin.oo.) Province o" :riental +isa(is) in the iscretion o" the istrict -u .e= at Ili.an) Province o" >anao) on the "irst Tues a! o" +arch an :ctober o" each !ear.

Si3teenth Ju icial 5istrict; At 5i'olo.) Province o" Fa(boan.a) ter(s o" court shall be hel at least three ti(es a !ear on ates to be "i3e b! the istrict -u .e= at Pa.a ian) sa(e 'rovince) "or the (unici'alities o" Pa.a ian) +ar.osatubi. an Habasalan) at least once a !ear= at Jolo) Province o" Sulu) ter(s o" court shall be hel at least "our ti(es a !ear on ates to be "i3e b! the istrict -u .e= at 9an.an.a an +ati) Province o" 5avao= an at Glan) Province o" Cotabato) ter(s o" court shall be hel at least once a !ear on the ates to be "i3e b! the istrict -u .e. 7otwithstan in. the 'rovisions o" this section) whenever weather con itions) the con ition o" the roa s or (eans o" trans'ortation) the nu(ber o" cases or the interest o" the a (inistration o" -ustice re0uire it) the Secretar! o" Justice (a! a vance or 'ost'one the ter( o" court or trans"er the 'lace o" hol in. the sa(e to another (unici'alit! within the sa(e -u icial istrict= an ) in the lan re.istration cases) to an! other 'lace (ore convenient to the 'arties. Section 44. ut! of Judges to hold court at permanent station. Ju .es shall hol court at the 'lace o" their 'er(anent station) in the case o" 5istrict Ju .es) an at the 'lace wherein the! (a! be etaile ) in the case o" Ju .es/at/ >ar.e an Ca astral Ju .es) not onl! urin. the 'erio hereinabove "i3e but also at an! other ti(e when there are cases rea ! "or trial or other court business to be is'atche ) i" the! are not en.a.e elsewhere. Section 46. Special terms of court. 1hen so irecte b! the 5e'art(ent Hea ) 5istrict Ju .es) Ju .es/at/>ar.e an Ca astral Ju .es shall hol s'ecial ter(s o" court at an! ti(e or in an! (unici'alit! in their res'ective istricts "or the transactions o" an! -u icial business. Section 48. Authorit! of istrict Judge to define territor! appurtenant to courts. 1hen court is a''ointe to be hel at (ore than one 'lace in a istrict) the 5istrict Ju .e (a!) with the a''roval o" the 5e'art(ent Hea ) e"ine the territor! over which the court hel at a 'articular 'lace shall e3ercise its authorit!) an cases arisin. in the territor! thus e"ine shall be triable at such court accor in.l!. The 'ower herein .rante shall be e3ercise with a view to (akin. the courts rea il! accessible to the 'eo'le o" the i""erent 'arts o" the istricts an with a view to (akin. the atten ance o" liti.ants an witnesses as ine3'ensive as 'ossible. Section 4%. 1ours of dail! sessions of the courts. The hours "or the ail! session o" Courts o" *irst Instance shall be "ro( nine to twelve in the (ornin.) an "ro( three to "ive in the a"ternoon) e3ce't on Satur a!s) when a (ornin. session onl! shall be re0uire = but the -u .e (a! e3ten the hours o" session whenever in his -u .(ent it is 'ro'er to o so. The -u .e hol in. an! court (a! also) in his iscretion) or er that but one session 'er a! shall be hel instea o" two) at such hours as (a! be ee( e3'e ient "or the convenience both o" the court an the 'ublic= but the nu(ber o" hours that the court shall be in session 'er a! shall be not less than "ive. Section 4#. Clerks dut! to attend session and keep office hours. Clerks o" court shall be in atten ance urin. the hours o" session= an when not so in atten ance u'on the court the! shall kee' the sa(e o""ice hours as are 'rescribe "or other Govern(ent e('lo!ees.

Section 6<. ivision of "usiness among "ranches of court of Si0th istrict. In the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Si3th 5istrict all business shall be e0uitabl! istribute a(on. the -u .es o" the ten branches in such (anner as shall be a.ree u'on b! the -u .es the(selves. The 5istrict Ju .e o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict who acts as e3ecutive -u .e thereo" shall have su'ervision over the General >an Re.istration :""ice. 7othin. containe in this section an in section si3t!/two shall be construe to 'revent the te('orar! esi.nation o" -u .es to act in this istrict in accor ance with section "i"t!. Section 61. Authorit! of Court of 'irst .nstance of the Si0th Judicial istrict over administration of its own affairs. The Court o" *irst Instance o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict shall have the a (inistrative control o" all (atters a""ectin. the internal o'erations o" the court. This a (inistrative control shall be e3ercise b! the court itsel" throu.h the clerk o" the court. In the a (inistrative (atters) the clerk o" the court shall be un er the irection o" the court itsel". The 'ersonnel o" the o""ice o" the clerk o" the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict shall consist o" such o""icers an e('lo!ees as (a! be 'rovi e b! law. The subor inate e('lo!ees o" sai o""ice shall be a''ointe b! the Secretar! o" Justice u'on reco((en ation o" the Chie" o" the o""ice) the clerk o" the court. The sai clerk o" the court shall receive an annual salar! o" "ive thousan one hun re 'esos) an with all the e('lo!ees o" his o""ice shall belon.) "or all 'ur'oses) to the Court o" *irst Instance o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict. Section 6&. Appointment and $ualifications of clerks. The clerk an e'ut! clerk o" the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict shall be a''ointe b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines u'on the reco((en ation o" the Secretar! o" Justice) with the consent o" the Co((ission on A''oint(ents. 7o 'erson shall be eli.ible "or a''oint(ent to either o" these 'ositions unless he is ul! authori2e to 'ractice law in the Phili''ines. Section 6,. .nterchange of judges. The -u .es o" the several branches o" the Court o" *irst Instance "or the Si3th 5istrict (a!) "or their own convenience or the (ore e3'e itious acco('lish(ents o" business) sit) b! interchan.e) b! (utual a.ree(ent or b! or er o" the 5e'art(ent Hea ) in other branches than those to which the! severall! 'ertain= an an! action or 'rocee in. in one branch (a! be sent to another branch "or trial or eter(ination. Section 6$. Convocation of Judges for assistance of Judge hearing land registration matters. In (atters o" s'ecial i""icult! connecte with the re.istration o" lan ) an! -u .e o" the Si3th 5istrict concerne (a!) when he ee(s such course a visable or necessar!) convoke the other nine -u .es o" sai court "or the 'ur'ose o" obtainin. their a vice an assistance. In such case the issue or issues to be eci e shall be "ra(e in writin. b! the sai -u .e an shall be 'ro'oun e "or eter(ination in -oint session) with not "ewer than three -u .es 'resent. In case o" a tie u'on an! issue) that view shall 'revail which is (aintaine b! the -u .e hearin. the (atter. Section 64. %acation of Courts of 'irst .nstance. The !earl! vacation o" Courts o" *irst Instance shall be.in with the "irst o" A'ril an close with the "irst o" June o" each !ear.

Section 66. Assignment of Judges to vacation dut!. 5urin. the (onth o" Januar! o" each !ear) the 5e'art(ent Hea shall issue an or er na(in. the -u .es who are to re(ain on ut! urin. the court vacation o" that !ear= an consistentl! with the re0uire(ents o" the -u icial service) the assi.n(ents shall be so (a e that no -u .e shall be assi.ne to vacation ut!) unless u'on his own re0uest) with .reater "re0uenc! than once in three !ears. Such or er shall s'eci"!) in the case o" each -u .e assi.ne to vacation ut!) the territor! over which in a ition to his own istrict his authorit! as vacation -u .e shall e3ten ) an the assi.n(ents shall be so arran.e that 'rovisions will be (a e "or the e3ercise o" interlocutor! -uris iction) urin. vacation) in all 'arts o" the Islan s. At least one -u .e shall alwa!s be assi.ne "or vacation ut! in the Si3th Ju icial 5istrict. The 5e'art(ent Hea (a! "ro( ti(e to ti(e (o i"! his or er assi.nin. the -u .es to vacation ut! as newl! arisin. con itions or e(er.encies (a! re0uire. A -u .e assi.ne to vacation ut! shall not or inaril! be re0uire to hol court urin. such vacation= but the 5e'art(ent Hea (a!) when in his -u .(ent the e(er.enc! shall re0uire) irect an! -u .e assi.ne to vacation ut! to hol urin. the vacation a s'ecial ter( o" court in an! istrict. Section 68. Proceedings for removal of Judges. 7o 5istrict Ju .e) Ju .e/at/>ar.e or Ca astral Ju .e shall be se'arate or re(ove "ro( o""ice b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines unless su""icient cause shall e3ist) in the -u .(ent o" the Su're(e Court) involvin. serious (iscon uct or ine""icienc!) "or the re(oval o" sai -u .e "ro( o""ice a"ter the 'ro'er 'rocee in.s. The Su're(e Court o" the Phili''ines is authori2e ) u'on its own (otion) or u'on in"or(ation o" the Secretar! o" Justice) to con uct an in0uir! into the o""icial or 'ersonal con uct o" an! -u .e a''ointe un er the 'rovisions o" this law) an to a o't such rules o" 'roce ure in that re.ar as it (a! ee( 'ro'er= an ) a"ter such -u .e shall have been hear in his own e"ense) the Su're(e Court (a! reco((en his re(oval to the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) who) i" he ee(s that the 'ublic interests will be subserve thereb!) shall thereu'on (ake the a''ro'riate or er "or such re(oval. The Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) u'on reco((en ation o" the Su're(e Court) (a! te('oraril! sus'en a -u .e 'en in. 'rocee in.s un er this section. In case the -u .e sus'en e is ac0uitte o" the cause or causes that .ave rise to the investi.ation) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines shall or er the 'a!(ent to hi( o" the salar!) or 'art thereo") which he i not receive urin. his sus'ension) "ro( an! available "un s "or e3'enses o" the -u iciar!. The cost an e3'enses inci ent to such investi.ations shall be 'ai "ro( the "un s a''ro'riate "or contin.ent e3'enses o" the -u iciar!) u'on vouchers a''rove b! the Chie" Justice o" the Su're(e Court. CHAPTER E Justices o" the Peace an Ju .es o" +unici'al Courts

Section 6%. Appointment and distri"ution of justices of the peace. There shall be one -ustice o" the 'eace an one au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace in each (unici'alit! an (unici'al istrict) an i" the 'ublic interest shall so re0uire) in an! (inor 'olitical ivision or unor.ani2e territor! in the Phili''ines) an such Ju .es o" +unici'al Courts in each chartere cit! as their res'ective charters 'rovi e. A'on reco((en ation o" the 5e'art(ent Hea ) the territorial -uris iction o" an! -ustice an au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace (a! be (a e to e3ten over an! nu(ber o" (unici'alities) (unici'al istricts) or other (inor 'olitical ivision or 'laces not inclu e in the -uris iction o" a -ustice o" the 'eace alrea ! a''ointe . As vacancies occur) i" the 'ro'er a (inistration o" -ustice so e(an s an the 5e'art(ent Hea so reco((en s) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines (a! .rou' (unici'alities an (unici'al istricts into circuit courts) an (a! a''oint to each circuit court one -ustice o" the 'eace an one au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace; Provi e ) however) That the ca'ital o" a 'rovince shall not be .rou'e with an! other (unici'alit! e3ce't in "ourth/or "i"th/ class 'rovinces) or the +ountain Province an the s'eciall! or.ani2e 'rovinces; Provi e ) "urther) That the Secretar! o" Justice (a!) u'on the reco((en ation o" the istrict -u .e concerne ) esi.nate the -ustice o" the 'eace o" the ca'ital o" a 'rovince or sub'rovince as clerk o" court e0+officio o" sai 'rovince or sub'rovince. The -ustice o" the 'eace o" the ca'ital o" a 'rovince or sub'rovince so esi.nate shall receive) in a ition to his salar!) "i"t! 'er centu( o" the salar! "i3e "or the sai clerk o" court o" the sai 'rovince or sub'rovince. Section 6#. Jurisdiction of justice of the peace so affected "! territorial changes. 1hen a new 'olitical ivision a""ectin. the territorial -uris iction o" the -ustice o" the 'eace is "or(e or the boun aries li(itin. the sa(e are chan.e ) the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines (a!) in the absence o" s'ecial 'rovision) esi.nate which o" the -ustices an au3iliar! -ustices within the territor! a""ecte b! the chan.e shall continue in o""ice= an the 'owers o" an! others therein shall cease. Section 8<. Tenure of office ( Transfer from one municipalit! to another. Justices o" the 'eace havin. the re0uisite le.al 0uali"ications shall hol o""ice urin. .oo behavior) until the! reach the a.e o" sevent! !ears) or beco(e inca'acitate to ischar.e the uties o" their o""ice) unless sooner re(ove in accor ance with law or unless his o""ice be law"ull! abolishe or (er.e in the -uris iction o" another -ustice o" the 'eace; Provi e ) That in case the 'ublic interest re0uires it) a -ustice o" the 'eace o" one (unici'alit! (a! be trans"erre to another. Section 81. -ualifications for the office of Justice of the Peace. 7o 'erson shall be eli.ible to a''oint(ent as -ustice o" the 'eace or au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace unless he is ?1@ at least twent!/three !ears o" a.e= ?&@ a citi2en o" the Phili''ines= ?,@ o" .oo (oral character an has not been convicte o" an! "elon!= an ?$@ has been a (itte b! the Su're(e Court to the 'ractice o" law. 7o 'erson shall be a''ointe -u .e o" the (unici'al court o" an! chartere cit! or -ustice o" the 'eace o" an! 'rovincial ca'ital unless he shall have 'ractice law in the Phili''ines "or a 'erio o" "ive !ears) or has hel urin. a like 'erio within the Phili''ines an o""ice re0uirin. a (ission to the 'ractice o" law in the Phili''ines as an in is'ensable re0uisite.

Section 8&. 'illing of vacanc! in office of justice of the peace. 1hen a vacanc! occurs in the o""ice o" an! -ustice o" the 'eace) e3ce't in 'rovincial ca'itals an "irst/class (unici'alities) the istrict -u .e shall "orwar to the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines a list o" the na(es o" 'ersons 0uali"ie to "ill sai vacanc!) acco('anie b! all the a''lications 'resente b! 'ersons esirous o" a''oint(ent. The Presi ent o" the Phili''ines) with the consent o" the Co((ission on A''oint(ents) shall (ake the res'ective a''oint(ents "ro( sai list; Provi e ) however) That he (a! also a''oint to the 'osition an! 0uali"ie 'erson not inclu e in the list an not a''licant "or the 'lace) without 're"erences o" an! kin ) when he ee(s such course to be in the 'ublic interest. Section 8,. Au0iliar! justice ( -ualifications and duties. The au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace shall have the sa(e 0uali"ications an be sub-ect to the sa(e restrictions as the re.ular -ustice) an shall 'er"or( the uties o" sai o""ice urin. an! vacanc! therein or in case o" the absence o" the re.ular -ustice "ro( the (unici'alit!) or o" his isabilit! or is0uali"ication) or in case o" his eath or resi.nation until the a''oint(ent an 0uali"ication o" his successor) or in an! cause whose i((e iate trial the re.ular -ustice shall certi"! to be s'eciall! ur.ent an which is unable to tr! b! reason o" actual en.a.e(ent in another trial. In case there is no au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace to 'er"or( the uties o" the re.ular -ustice in the case above (entione ) the istrict -u .e shall esi.nate the nearest -ustice o" the 'eace o" the 'rovince to act as -ustice o" the 'eace in such (unici'alit!) town) or 'lace. Section 8$. Courtroom and supplies. The (unici'alities an (unici'al istricts to which a -ustice o" the 'eace 'ertains shall 'rovi e hi( with a roo( in the tribunal) or elsewhere in the center o" 'o'ulation) suitable "or hol in. court an shall su''l! the necessar! "urniture) li.hts) an -anitor service there"or) an shall also 'rovi e hi( with such o" the 'rinte laws in "orce in the Phili''ines as (a! be re0uire "or his o""icial use. The si(ilar e3'enses o" (aintainin. the o""ice o" a -ustice o" the 'eace a''ointe in unor.ani2e territor! shall be borne b! the 'rovince. >e.al blanks an the ockets re0uire b! law) as well as the notarial seal to be use b! the -ustice as e0+officio) notar! 'ublic) shall be "urnishe b! the 9ureau o" Justice. Section 84. Clerks and emplo!ees of justice of the peace courts. The (unici'al or -ustice o" the 'eace courts o" the several chartere cities an o" the 'rovincial ca'itals an "irst/class (unici'alities shall have such clerks o" court an other e('lo!ees as (a! be necessar! at the e3'ense o" the sai cities an (unici'alities. In other (unici'alities) the (unici'al councils (a! allow the -ustices o" the 'eace one clerk each) at the e3'ense o" the res'ective (unici'alities) with a salar! not to e3cee seven hun re an twent! 'esos 'er annu(. 1ith the e3ce'tion o" the clerks an e('lo!ees o" the +unici'al Court o" the Cit! o" +anila) all e('lo!ees (entione in this section shall be a''ointe b! the res'ective -ustices o" the 'eace. Section 86. 2iscellaneous powers of justice of the peace. A -ustice o" the 'eace shall have 'ower an!where within his territorial -uris iction to sole(ni2e (arria.es) authenticate

(erchantIs books) a (inister oaths an take e'ositions an acknowle .(ent) an ) in his ca'acit! as e0+officio notar! 'ublic) (a! 'er"or( an! act within the co('etenc! o" a notar! 'ublic. Section 88. Attendance at court ( Permission for justice to pursue other vocation. A -ustice o" the 'eace or au3iliar! -ustice when actin. as -ustice o" the 'eace shall be 'resent at least "our hours on each business a! in his o""ice or at the 'lace where his court is hel = but he (a!) a"ter o""ice hours) with the 'er(ission o" the istrict -u .e concerne ) 'ursue an! other vocation or hol other o""ice or 'osition. 7o -ustice or au3iliar! -ustice (a! act as the attorne! "or an! 'art! to a cause co((ence in his court or elsewhere e3ce't b! s'ecial 'er(ission o" the 5istrict Ju .e. Section 8%. 1earing of cause at place other than office of justice of the peace. A'on written re0uest o" both 'arties to a cause) a -ustice o" the 'eace (a! hear the sa(e at an! suitable 'lace in his -uris iction= an in such case his necessar! travel e3'ense "ro( his o""icial station to the 'lace o" trial) an u'on return there"ro() not e3cee in. two an one/hal" 'esos 'er a! in all) (a! be ta3e as costs) but i" the trial o" (ore than one o" such cases is re0ueste in a 'articular localit!) he shall arran.e to tr! the( as nearl! as 'ossible at the sa(e ti(e an 'lace an shall ivi e the travel e3'ense a(on. the( 'ro'ortionatel! to the ti(e consu(e in the trial o" each case. Section 8#. Service of process of justice of the peace. The sheri"" o" the 'rovince shall serve or e3ecute) or cause to be serve an e3ecute ) all civil writs) 'rocesses) an or ers issue b! an! -ustice o" the 'eace in the 'rovince= an civil 'rocess) other than e3ecutions) (a! be serve b! an! 'ersons esi.nate b! the -ustice "or the 'ur'ose. Cri(inal 'rocess issue b! a -ustice o" the 'eace shall be serve or e3ecute b! the (a!or o" the (unici'alit! or other local 'olitical ivision) b! (eans o" the local 'olice) or in the Cit! o" +anila b! the (e(bers o" its 'olice e'art(ent= but such 'rocess (a! also be serve or e3ecute with e0ual e""ect b! the sheri"". Cri(inal 'rocess (a! be issue b! a -ustice o" the 'eace) to be serve outsi e his 'rovince) when the istrict -u .e) or in his absence the 'rovincial "iscal) shall certi"! that in his o'inion the interest o" -ustice re0uires such service. Section %<. Seal of justice acting as notar! pu"lic. The use o" a seal o" o""ice shall not be necessar! to the authentication o" an! 'a'er) ocu(ent) or recor si.ne b! a -ustice o" the 'eace or e(anatin. "ro( his o""ice e3ce't when he acts as notar! 'ublic e0+officio. Section %1. Appointment of *overnment officers as justices of the peace e0+officio. 1hen in the o'inion o" the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines the 'ublic interest shall so re0uire) he (a! a''oint an! 0uali"ie 'erson in the .overn(ent service to act in the ca'acit! o" -ustice o" the 'eace e0+ officio) without a itional co('ensation) in an! s'eciall! or.ani2e 'rovince. Such a''ointee shall have all the 'owers o" a -ustice o" the 'eace 'ro'er) with such territorial -uris iction as shall be state in the co((ission issue to the a''ointee) but such -uris iction shall not e3ten to) or be herea"ter e3ercise at an! 'lace within the -uris iction o" an! a''ointe -ustice o" the 'eace or au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace.

A 'erson e3ercisin. the "unction o" -ustice o" the 'eace e0+officio in an! (unici'al istrict (a!) in his iscretion) trans"er an! case within his -uris iction to the -ustice o" the 'eace o" the nearest or.ani2e (unici'alit! in the 'rovince. The Presi ent o" the Phili''ines (a!) in his iscretion) authori2e a (unici'al istrict (a!or who is an attorne!/at/ law to act as -ustice o" the 'eace to tr! cases "or violation o" (unici'al or inances within his istrict. Section %&. Salaries of justices of the peace. E3ce't as 'rovi e in the ne3t succee in. section) -ustices o" the 'eace shall receive the "ollowin. salaries 'er annu(; ?a@ :" circuit courts) "ro( two thousan "ort! to two thousan si3 hun re "ort! 'esos each= ?b@ In (unici'alities o" the "irst/class) "ro( one thousan ei.ht hun re to one thousan nine hun re twent! 'esos each= ?c@ In (unici'alities o" the secon /class) "ro( one thousan "our hun re "ort! to one thousan si3 hun re ei.ht! 'esos each= ? @ In (unici'alities o" the thir class) "ourth class) an "i"th class an (unici'al istricts an other 'laces not s'eciall! 'rovi e "or b! law) "ro( one thousan two hun re to one thousan three hun re twent! 'esos each. Provided) That the Secretar! o" Justice shall) with the a''roval o" the Presi ent) "i3 the salar! o" each -ustice o" the 'eace within the above li(itations) takin. into consi eration) a(on. other thin.s) the nu(ber o" cases ockete in his court an the accessibilit! an (eans o" trans'ortation available between the i""erent (unici'alities un er his -uris iction; Provi e ) "urther) That when a -ustice o" the 'eace is esi.nate to act te('oraril! in one or (ore (unici'alities or istricts in a ition to his own (unici'alit! or istrict) he shall be entitle to the salar! o" his (unici'alit! or istrict) 'lus sevent!/"ive 'er centu( o" the salar! "or each (unici'alit! or istrict in which he is te('oraril! esi.nate to act= but in no case shall he be entitle to an a..re.ate salar! o" (ore than two thousan si3 hun re "ort! 'esos 'er annu(. Section %,. Salaries of the judges of the municipal courts of chartered cities and of the justices of the peace in provincial capitals. The annual salar! o" each o" the -u .es o" the (unici'al courts o" the "ollowin. chartere cities shall be; ?a@ :" the Cit! o" +anila) si3 thousan 'esos= ?b@ :" Gue2on Cit!) an the Cities o" 9a.uio) Cebu) Ri2al an Iloilo) "ive thousan "our hun re 'esos= ?c@ :" the Cities o" 9acolo an San Pablo) "our thousan 'esos= ? @ :" the Cities o" Cavite) 5avao) :r(oc) 5a.u'an) >i'a an Fa(boan.a) an o" other cities) three thousan si3 hun re 'esos.

The annual salaries o" the -ustices o" the 'eace o" the ca'itals o" the 'rovinces shall be as "ollows; :" the -ustices o" the 'eace o" the ca'itals o" the Provinces o" 7ueva Eci-a) Pan.asinan) an Ri2al) "our thousan 'esos each= o" the -ustices o" the 'eace o" the ca'itals o" the Provinces o" 9ulacan) >a.una) >a Anion) Pa('an.a) Gue2on) an Tarlac) three thousan si3 hun re 'esos each= o" the -ustices o" the 'eace o" the ca'itals o" the Provinces o" Alba!) 9ataan) 9atan.as) Ca(arines Sur) Ca'i2) Cotabato) Ilocos 7orte) Ilocos Sur) Isabela) >e!te) 7e.ros :riental) an 7ueva Ei2ca!a) three thousan 'esos each= o" the -ustices o" the 'eace o" the ca'itals o" the other 'rovinces or.ani2e un er the Provincial >aw) the ca'itals o" the Provinces o" A.usan) 9atanes) 9uki non) Cotabato) >anao) Palawan) +ountain Province) an Sulu) two thousan "our hun re 'esos each= Provi e ) however) That "or -u icial 'ur'oses the (unici'alit! o" A'arri) Province o" Ca.a!an) an the (unici'alit! o" Cervantes) Province o" Ilocos Sur) shall be consi ere as 'rovincial ca'itals an the res'ective -ustices o" the 'eace thereo" shall have the sa(e 0uali"ications re0uire o") an shall have the -uris iction as) un er the law) (a! be e3ercise b! the -ustices o" the 'eace o" 'rovincial ca'itals an shall be 'ai an annual salar! o" two thousan "our hun re 'esos each; Provi e ) "urther) That the -u .e o" the (unici'al court o" a cit! which is at the sa(e ti(e the ca'ital o" a 'rovince shall be consi ere as the -u .e o" the 'eace o" the ca'ital o" such 'rovince. Section %$. Pa!ment of salaries of justices of the peace. In or er to "acilitate the 'a!(ent o" the salaries o" -ustices o" the 'eace in the 'rovinces) the treasurer o" the res'ective 'olitical ivision concerne shall a vance the sa(e (onthl! out o" an! 'ro'er available "un s in his 'ossession an such a vances will be rei(burse (onthl! "ro( the national a''ro'riation. Section %4. Compensation of au0iliar! justices. An au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace) when 'er"or(in. all the uties o" a -ustice o" the 'eace) shall receive the "ull co('ensation which woul accrue to the o""ice o" -ustice. In cases where the -ustice o" the 'eace) without ceasin. to act as -ustice) shall certi"! an! cause to the au3iliar! -ustice "or trial) the latter shall receive co('ensation in an a(ount e0uivalent to the "ees accruin. in such cause) which a(ount shall be e ucte "ro( the salar! o" the re.ular -ustice. 1hen the au3iliar! -ustice acts as substitute "or the re.ular -ustice while the latter is absent on o""icial business) the co('ensation o" the au3iliar! -ustice shall not be e ucte "ro( the salar! o" the -ustice. Section %6. Jurisdiction of justices of the peace and judges of municipal courts of chartered cities. The -uris iction o" -ustices o" the 'eace an -u .es o" (unici'al courts o" chartere cities shall consist o"; ?a@ :ri.inal -uris iction to tr! cri(inal cases in which the o""ense char.e has been co((itte within their res'ective territorial -uris ictions= an ?b@ :ri.inal -uris iction in civil actions arisin. in their res'ective (unici'alities an cities) an not e3clusivel! co.ni2able b! the Courts o" *irst Instance.

Section %8. ,riginal jurisdiction to tr! criminal cases. Justices o" the 'eace an -u .es o" (unici'al courts o" chartere cities shall have ori.inal -uris iction over; ?a@ All violations o" (unici'al or cit! or inances co((itte within their res'ective territorial -uris ictions= ?b@ All o""enses in which the 'enalt! 'rovi e b! law is i('rison(ent "or not (ore than si3 (onths) or a "ine o" not (ore than two hun re 'esos) or both such "ine an i('rison(ent= ?c@ All cri(inal cases arisin. un er the laws relatin. to; ?1@ Ga(blin. an (ana.e(ent or o'eration o" lotteries= ?&@ Assaults where the intent to kill is not char.e or evi ent u'on the trial= ?,@ >arcen!) e(be22le(ent an estafa where the a(ount o" (one! or 'ro'ert! stolen) e(be22le ) or otherwise involve ) oes not e3cee the su( or value o" two hun re 'esos= ?$@ Sale o" into3icatin. li0uors= ?4@ *alsel! i('ersonatin. an o""icer= ?6@ +alicious (ischie"= ?8@ Tres'ass on Govern(ent or 'rivate 'ro'ert!= an ?%@ Threatenin. to take hu(an li"e. Sai -ustices o" the 'eace an -u .es o" (unici'al courts (a! also con uct 'reli(inar! investi.ations "or an! o""ense alle.e to have been co((itte within their res'ective (unici'alities an cities) without re.ar to the li(its o" 'unish(ent) an (a! release) or co((it an bin over an! 'erson char.e with such o""ense to secure his a''earance be"ore the 'ro'er court. Justices o" the 'eace in the ca'itals o" 'rovinces (a!) b! assi.n(ent o" the res'ective istrict -u .e in each case) have like -uris iction as the Court o" *irst Instance to tr! 'arties char.e with an o""ense co((itte within the 'rovince in which the 'enalt! 'rovi e b! law oes not e3cee i('rison(ent "or two !ears an "our (onths) or a "ine o" two thousan 'esos) or both such i('rison(ent an "ine) an ) in the absence o" the istrict -u .e) shall have like -uris iction within the 'rovince as the Court o" *irst Instance to hear a''lications "or bail. Section %%. ,riginal jurisdiction in civil cases. In all civil actions) inclu in. those (entione in Rule 4# an 6& o" the Rules o" Court) arisin. in his (unici'alit! or cit!) an not e3clusivel! co.ni2able b! the Court o" *irst Instance) the -ustice o" the 'eace an the -u .e o" a (unici'al court shall have e3clusive ori.inal -uris iction where the value o" the sub-ect/(atter or a(ount o" the e(an oes not e3cee two thousan 'esos) e3clusive o" interest an costs. In "orcible entr! an etainer 'rocee in.s) the -ustice o" the 'eace or -u .e o" the (unici'al court shall have ori.inal -uris iction) but the sai -ustice or -u .e (a! receive evi ence u'on the 0uestion o" title therein) whatever (a! be the value o" the 'ro'ert!) solel! "or the 'ur'ose o" eter(inin. the character an e3tent o" 'ossession an a(a.es "or etention. In "orcible entr! 'rocee in.s) he

(a! .rant 'reli(inar! in-unctions) in accor ance with the 'rovisions o" the Rules o" Court) to 'revent the e"en ant "ro( co((ittin. "urther acts o" is'ossession a.ainst the 'lainti"". The -uris iction o" a -ustice o" the 'eace an -u .e o" a (unici'al court shall not e3ten to civil actions in which the sub-ect o" liti.ation is not ca'able o" 'ecuniar! esti(ation) e3ce't in "orcible entr! an etainer cases= nor to those which involve the le.alit! o" an! ta3) i('ost) to assess(ent= nor to actions involvin. a (iralt! or (ariti(e -uris iction= nor to (atters o" 'robate) the a''oint(ent o" .uar ians) trustees or receivers= nor to actions "or annul(ent o" (arria.es; Provided, however) That -ustices o" the 'eace who are ul! 0uali"ie (e(bers o" the bar (a!) with the a''roval o" the Secretar! o" Justice) be assi.ne b! the res'ective istrict -u .e in each case to hear an eter(ine ca astral or lan re.istration cases coverin. lots where there is no controvers! or o''osition) or conteste lots the value o" which oes not e3cee two thousan 'esos) such value to be ascertaine b! the a""i avit o" the clai(ant or b! a.ree(ent o" the res'ective clai(ants) i" there are (ore than one) or "ro( the corres'on in. eclaration o" real 'ro'ert!. Justices o" the 'eace in the ca'itals o" 'rovinces an sub'rovinces in the absence o" the 5istrict Ju .e) Ju .e/at/>ar.e or Ca astral Ju .e "ro( the 'rovince (a! e3ercise within the 'rovince like interlocutor! -uris iction as the Court o" *irst Instance) which shall be hel to inclu e the hearin. o" all (otions "or the a''oint(ent o" a receiver) "or te('orar! in-unctions) an "or all other or ers o" the court which are not "inal in their character an o not involve a ecision o" the case o" its (erits) an the hearin. o" 'etitions "or a writ o" habeas cor'us. Section %#. Traveling e0penses of justices of the peace assigned to hear civil, cadastral and criminal cases. 1henever a -ustice o" the 'eace) u'on assi.n(ent b! the istrict -u .e) either hears an eter(ines ca astral or lan re.istration cases or e3ercises like -uris iction as the Court o" *irst Instance to tr! 'arties char.e with an o""ense co((itte within the 'rovince in which the 'enalt! 'rovi e b! law oes not e3cee i('rison(ent "or two !ears an "our (onths) or a "ine o" two thousan 'esos) or both such i('rison(ent an "ine) he shall receive) in a ition to his salar!) urin. the ti(e that he is actin. b! virtue o" such assi.n(ent) a 'er ie( not to e3cee "ive 'esos; Provi e ) however) That i" sai -ustice o" the 'eace hears an eter(ines ca astral or lan re.istration cases elsewhere than in the (unici'alit! in which he e3ercises -uris iction) u'on the authorit! o" the Secretar! o" Justice) he shall be 'ai ) in a ition to his necessar! travelin. e3'enses) a 'er ie( not to e3cee "i"teen 'esos to be "i3e b! the Secretar! o" Justice. Section #<. Jurisdiction to appoint guardians. Justices o" the 'eace an -u .es o" (unici'al courts o" chartere cities are e('owere to a''oint .uar ians or .uar ians a lite( "or liti.ants in their courts who are inca'acitate b! bein. o" (inor a.e or (entall! inca'able. Section #1. .ncidental powers of justices of the peace and municipal courts. The -ustice o" the 'eace an (unici'al courts shall have 'ower to a (inister oaths an to .ive certi"icates thereo"= to issue su((onses) writs) warrants) e3ecutions) an all other 'rocesses necessar! to en"orce their or ers an -u .(ents= to co('el the atten ance o" witnesses= to 'unish conte('ts o" court b! "ine or i('rison(ent) or both) within the li(itation i('ose b! Rules o" Court) an to re0uire o" an! 'erson arreste a bon "or .oo behavior or to kee' the 'eace) or "or the "urther

a''earance o" such 'erson be"ore a court o" co('etent -uris iction. 9ut no such bon shall be acce'te unless it be e3ecute b! the 'erson in whose behal" it is (a e) with su""icient suret! or sureties) to be a''rove b! sai court. Section #&. 'ees collecti"le "! justices of the peace. 7o "ees) co('ensation) or rewar o" an! sort) e3ce't such as is e3'ressl! 'rescribe an allowe b! law) shall be collecte or receive "or an! service ren ere b! a -ustice o" the 'eace or b! an! o""icer or e('lo!ee o" his court. Section #,. 2one!s paid into courts of justices of the peace ( 3! whom to "e received. All (one!s accruin. to the Govern(ent in courts o" -ustices o" the 'eace) inclu in. "ees) "ines) "or"eitures) costs) or other (iscellaneous recei'ts) an all trust or e'ositor! "un s 'ai into such courts shall be receive b! the e'ut! 'rovincial treasurer) or in the Cit! o" +anila b! the Collector o" Internal Revenue) "or is'osition accor in. to law. Section #$. isposition of *overnment mone!s derived from courts of justices of the peace. Such o" these (one!s as accrue to the Govern(ent shall be turne over to the Collector o" Internal Revenue) who shall have the a (inistrative -uris iction over such collections an shall 'a! the sa(e into the 7ational Treasur! to the cre it o" the .eneral "un s o" the 7ational Govern(ent. Section #4. 2onthl! report of justice of the peace. :n the "irst o" the (onth each -ustice o" the 'eace shall sub(it to the receivin. o""icer) u'on "or(s 'rescribe b! the General Au itin. :""ice) a etaile re'ort o" all o""icial business transacte b! hi( or in his court urin. the 'rece in. (onth) such as (arria.es sole(ni2e ) actions be.un) ter(inate ) or 'en in. in the court) to.ether with an ite(i2e state(ent o" all "ees an costs collecte an "or what service. Section #6. Supervision of istrict Judges over justices of the peace ( Annual report of justice. The 5istrict Ju .e shall at all ti(es e3ercise a su'ervision over the -ustices o" the 'eace within his istrict) an shall kee' hi(sel" in"or(e o" the (anner in which the! 'er"or( their uties) b! 'ersonal ins'ection whenever 'ossible) "ro( re'orts which he (a! re0uire "ro( the() "ro( cases a''eale to his court) an "ro( all other available sources. In 'ro'er cases he shall a vise an instruct the( whenever re0ueste ) or when occasion arises) an such -ustices o" the 'eace shall a''l! to hi( an not to the Secretar! o" Justice "or a vice an instruction) an an! such in0uiries receive b! the Secretar! o" Justice shall be re"erre b! hi( to the istrict -u .e o" the 'ro'er istrict. The -ustice o" the 'eace shall) urin. the "irst "ive a!s o" the !ear) "orwar to the 5istrict Ju .e a re'ort concernin. the business one in his court "or the 'revious !ear) u'on "or(s to be 'rescribe b! the Secretar! o" Justice. Such re'ort shall be "ile in the o""ice o" the clerk o" the Court o" *irst Instance) an sai 5istrict Ju .e o" the istrict shall) with the assistance o" sai clerk) e(bo ! a su((ar! o" such re'orts "or each 'rovince o" his istrict to.ether with other (atters o" interest an i('ortance relative to the a (inistration o" -ustice therein) 'articularl! with re"erence to -ustice o" the 'eace courts) in a brie" re'ort) which he shall "orwar as soon as 'ossible a"ter the close o" the "iscal !ear to the 5e'art(ent Hea .

Section #8. Suspension and removal. I" at an! ti(e the 5istrict Ju .e has reason to believe that a -ustice o" the 'eace is not 'er"or(in. his uties 'ro'erl! or i" co('laints are (a e which) i" true) woul in icate that the -ustice is un"it "or the o""ice) he shall (ake such investi.ation o" the sa(e as the circu(stances (a! see( to hi( to warrant) an (a!) "or .oo cause) re'ri(an the -ustice) or (a! reco((en to the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines his re(oval "ro( o""ice) or his re(oval an is0uali"ication "ro( hol in. o""ice) an (a! sus'en hi( "ro( o""ice 'en in. action b! the Presi ent o" the Phili''ines. The Presi ent o" the Phili''ines (a!) u'on such reco((en ation or on his own (otion) re(ove "ro( o""ice an! -ustice o" the 'eace or au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace. Section #%. 'inal disposition of dockets. 1hen a -ustice o" the 'eace shall ie or resi.n or shall be re(ove "ro( o""ice or shall re(ove "ro( the -uris iction to which he was a''ointe ) or when his o""ice shall in an! wa! beco(e vacant) such -ustice o" the 'eace) or his le.al re'resentative in case o" his eath) shall) within ten a!s therea"ter) eliver his ocket) 'rocess) 'a'ers) books) an all recor s relatin. to his o""ice to the -ustice a''ointe to "ill the vacanc! or to the au3iliar! -ustice o" the sa(e localit!. 1here the ocu(ents an recor s a"oresai are elivere into the custo ! o" the au3iliar! -ustice o" the 'eace) it shall be his ut!) urin. the ti(e he shall 'er"or( the uties o" the o""ice) sa"el! to kee' the sa(e an to certi"! co'ies thereo" whenever law"ull! e(an e = an u'on the a''oint(ent an 0uali"ication o" a -ustice o" the 'eace to "ill the vacanc!) the sai au3iliar! -ustice shall eliver all the ocu(ents an recor s 'ertainin. to the o""ice in 0uestion to the new -ustice o" the 'eace. 1hen an! violation o" this section co(es to the knowle .e o" the 5istrict Ju .e havin. su'ervision over the o""ice in 0uestion) it shall be his ut! to issue a su((ar! or er "or the eliver! o" the ocu(ents an recor s a"oresai ) un er 'enalt! o" conte('t. CHAPTER EI Transitor! an *inal Provisions Section ##. &epeal of laws. All laws an rules inconsistent with the 'rovisions o" this Act are hereb! re'eale . Section 1<<. Appropriation. There is hereb! a''ro'riate "ro( the .eneral "un s) not otherwise a''ro'riate ) the su( o" three hun re "ive thousan "ive hun re thirteen 'esos an thirt!/three centavos to 'a! the salaries o" the eleven istrict -u .es that are create in this Act to.ether with their corres'on in. 'ersonnel an sun r! e3'enses "or the 'erio "ro( June "irst) nineteen hun re "ort!/ei.ht to June thirtieth) nineteen hun re "ort!/nine. Section 1<1. ate in which to take effect. This Act shall take e""ect u'on its a''roval. A''rove ) June 18) 1#$%.