Thirty-five more regional trial court (RTC) branches in five judicial regions have been designated by the Supreme Court (SC) as special courts to expedite the resolution of expropriation cases involving national railway projects.
In Administrative Matter No. 24-06-65-RTC, the SC identified the national railway projects as the Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and Philippine National Railway South Long-Haul Project.
The 35 RTC branches are directed to give priority to expropriation cases involving the national railway projects in accordance with the requirements under the Right-of-Way Act and existing rules and guidelines.
The Right-of-Way Act under Republic Act No. 10752 mandates that all persons whose real property is affected by national government infrastructure projects are promptly paid just compensation for the expeditious acquisition of the required right-of-way site or location.
RA 10752 also mandates the establishment of resettlement sites for affected informal settlers.
All expropriation cases filed in connection with the four national railways projects will be assigned to the special expropriation courts for resolution, the SC said.
The 35 expropriation courts are:
National Capital Region (NCR) -- Branch 129 RTC, Caloocan City, Judge Rose Sharon S. Cordero Abila; Branch 235 RTC, Makati City, Judge Ricardo A. Moldez II; Branch 34 RTC, Manila, Judge Liwliwa S. Hidalgo-Bucu; Branch 206 RTC, Muntinlupa City, Judge Gener M. Gito; Branch 274 RTC, Parañaque City, Judge Regina Paz A. Ramos-Chavez; Branch 114 RTC, Pasay City, Judge Elmer Joseph R. Guerzon; Branch 157 RTC, Pasig City, Judge Ana Teresa T. Cornejo-Tomacruz; Branch 306 RTC, Quezon City, Judge Dolly Rose R. Bolante-Prado; Branch 153 RTC, Taguig City, Judge Mariam G. Bien; and Branch 284 RTC, Valenzuela City, Judge Arthur B. Melicor
Third Judicial Region -- Branch 114 RTC, Angeles City, Pampanga, Judge Rodrigo I. Del Rosario; Branch 48 RTC, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Judge Christine Marie C. Capule; Branch 54 RTC, Macabebe, Pampanga, Judge Katherine M. Legarda-Pajaron; Branch 104 RTC, Malolos City, Bulacan, Judge Reuben Ritzuko T. Veradio; Branch 120 RTC, City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Judge Lyn L. Llamasares-Gonzalez; and Branch 121 RTC, City of Meycauayan, Bulacan, Judge Elenita N.E. Macatangay-Alviar.
Fourth Judicial Region -- Branch 84 RTC, Batangas City, Batangas, Judge Dorcas P. Ferriols-Perez; Branch 12 RTC, Lipa City, Batangas, Judge Maria Concepcion M. Serrano-Altea; Branch 6 RTC, Tanauan City, Batangas, Judge Jose Ricuerdo P. Flores; Branch 29 RTC, San Pablo City, Laguna, Judge Luvina P. Roque; Branch 102 RTC, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Judge Gil Jude F. Sta. Maria; Branch 103 RTC, Calamba City, Laguna, Judge Hector A. Buenaluz Jr.; Branch 152 RTC, City of Biñan, Laguna, Judge Jaime E. Banatin; Branch 170 RTC, City of San Pedro, Laguna, Judge Nanette M. Austria; Branch 63 RTC, Calauag, Quezon, Judge Jeshiree D. Espinas-Dionisio; Branch 64 RTC, Mauban, Quezon, Judge Donald S. Uy; and Branch 168 RTC, Lucena City, Quezon Judge Julieta F. Fabrero.
Fifth Judicial Region -- Branch 10 RTC, Legazpi City, Albay. Judge Maria Theresa S. Loquillano; Branch 22 RTC, Naga City, Camarines Sur, Judge Melita Pilar P. Briñas-Agbayani; Branch 31 RTC, Pili, Camarines Sur, Judge Nydia A. Hebrio; Branch 60 RTC, Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Judge Timoteo A. Pang Jr.; and Branch 66 RTC, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon, Judge Charlie R. Romano, Jr.
Eleventh Judicial Region -- Branch 54 RTC, Davao City, Davao del Sur, Judge Melinda Alconcel-Dayanghirang; Branch 4 RTC, Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Judge Gemma G. Betonio; and Branch 31 RTC, Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Judge Arlene I. Lirag-Palabrica.