ChanRobles Virtual law Library

TO:  ALL MUNICIPAL JUDGES CONCERNED

SUBJECT:  GUIDELINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OFTHE CIRCUITIZATION OF MUNICIPAL COURTS.

[1]  All Judges designated to preside over the Municipal Circuit Courts as provided for in Administrative Order No. 33 dated June 13, 1978, shall notify the Supreme Court of the date of their assumption of duties.cralaw:red

[2] All Municipal Circuit Judges shall hold office and sessions only in the official stations of their respective Courts, unless otherwise authorized by the Supreme Court.cralaw:red

[3] Only the Docket Book of the Municipal Court designated as the official station of the Municipal Circuit Court shall be used and the Docket Book of the abolished Court shall be closed unless the former is already filled up in which event the latter may be used. In such case, such Docket Book of the abolished court may be used but should be numbered (or renumbered) and properly stamped to make the same continuous from the last number of the filled docket book. However, the old docket books (including those of the abolished courts) should be kept intact for reference purposes.cralaw:red

Only the notarial register of the Municipal Court designated as the official station shall be used. The notarial register pertaining to the abolished courts should be closed and a report thereof shall be submitted to the Clerk of Court of the Court of First Instance concerned.cralaw:red

[4] The Judges retired or transferred to another Court under the aforecited Administrative Order No. 33 shall turn over to their successor all the records of cases, equipment and supplies of the Court presided by him prior to the effectivity of said Administrative Order No. 33 and thereafter to secure clearances from money and property accountabilities from the proper municipal/provincial treasurer and auditor.cralaw:red

An inventory of the records of cases, equipment and supplies thus turned over shall be accomplished and submitted to this Court within fifteen (15) days from the turn over. In cases where the municipal circuit courts are vacant, the CFI Executive Judge shall designate the Judge of the nearest Municipal Circuit Court, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 6 dated June 30, 1975, to preside over the vacant court and shall cause the preparation of an inventory of the records of cases and properties of the municipal  Courts circuitized which inventory shall likewise be submitted to this Court within fifteen (15) days from the inventory.cralaw:red

[5] The Judges retired under the aforesaid Administrative Order No. 33 shall submit to this Court their application for payment of their retirement and/or gratuity benefits, as provided for in Presidential Decree No. 537.cralaw:red

[6] All regular incumbent personnel of the municipal courts shall report immediately to the Judge of the Municipal Circuit Court to which their Court was circuitized and shall continue rendering service thereat until further orders from this Court. It shall be their duty to assist in the inventory of all the records of cases, equipment and supplies and to transport the same to the new station of the Municipal Circuit Court to which they belong, at the expense of the Supreme Court.cralaw:red

Strict compliance herewith is hereby enjoined.cralaw:red

Manila, July 14, 1978.