President Marcos has signed several republic acts (RAs) creating additional regional trial court (RTC) and metropolitan trial court branches in different parts of the country.

Copies of the RAs shared with the media on Sunday morning, Oct. 20, showed they were signed on Oct. 17.

The following are the said newly signed measures:
 

• RA 12029: Creating two additional RTC branches in the Fourth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the Municipality of Silang, Cavite
• RA 12030: Creating three additional metropolitan trial court branches in the National Capital Region Judicial Region to be Stationed in Parañaque City
• RA 12031: Creating two additional RTC branches in the Second Judicial Region to be Stationed in the Municipality of Cabagan, Isabela
• RA 12032: Creating three additional RTC branches in the Tenth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the Municipality of San Jose, Dinagat Islands, and two additional Municipal Trial Court branches in The Tenth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the Municipalities of San Jose and Basilisa, Dinagat Islands
• RA 12033: Creating an additional RTC branch in the Eighth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the City of Baybay, Leyte
• RA 12034: Creating six additional RTC branches in the Ninth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the Municipality of Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay
• RA 12035: Creating three additional RTC branches in the Tenth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the City of Valencia, Bukidnon
• RA 12036: Creating four additional RTC branches in the Eighth Judicial Region to be Stationed in the City of Tacloban, Leyte

Based on the new laws, the Supreme Court (SC) shall assign the respective branch numbers for the newly created trial court branches.

In coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary, the Chief Justice shall immediately include the operationalization of the additional branches in the Court's program.

The Supreme Court shall likewise issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the said RAs and, if warranted, the realignment of seats of existing branches and their territorial jurisdiction.

The funds required for the operation of the newly created courts shall be appropriated and released only upon the actual organization of the courts and the appointment of its personnel.

The RAs shall take effect 15 days after they are published in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.