WHEREAS,
under Republic Act No. 296, as amended, otherwise known as the
Judiciary Act of 1948, the permanent stations of Judges of Courts of
First Instance in many provinces are found in municipalities other than
in the cities or provincial capitals; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the primary intent for establishing Courts of First Instance
in such municipalities was to make the courts more accessible to the
people but such purpose has been frustrated because most practising
lawyers reside in the cities or provincial capitals preferring to
handle cases thereat and making it more expensive for parties to bring
their counsel to the Courts stationed in other municipalities,
moreover, the disposition of cases is delayed because of inability of
lawyers to be present in two or three courts stationed in different
places; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, many municipalities where the Courts of First Instance have
their permanent stations lack facilities for holding court thereby
impairing the efficient administration of justice;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and
pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and
General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby
decree as follows:cralaw:red
Section 1. Section 52 of the Judiciary Act (Republic
Act No. 296, as amended) is hereby amended to read as follows:cralaw:red
"Sec. 52. Permanent Stations of District Judges. —
The permanent station of Judges of the Sixth Judicial District shall be
in the City of Manila. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
In other judicial districts, the permanent stations of the judges shall
be as follows:cralaw:red
For the First Judicial District, the judges of the first and fifth
branches of the Courts of First Instance of Cagayan and Batanes shall
be stationed in the Municipality of Tuguegarao, Province of Cagayan;
the judge of the second branch, in the Municipality of Aparri, same
province; the judge of the third branch, in the Municipality of Tuao,
same province; and the judge of the fourth branch in the Municipality
of Sanches Mira, same province; one judge shall be stationed in the
Municipality of Ilagan, Province of Isabela; one judge shall be
stationed in the Municipality of Cabagan, same province; one judge
shall be stationed in the Municipality of Cauayan, same province; the
judge of the fourth branch shall be stationed in the Municipality of
Roxas, same province; the judge of the fifth branch shall be stationed
in the Municipality of Echague, same province; three judges, in the
Municipality of Bayombong, Province of Nueva Vizcaya; and one judge in
the Municipality of Cabarroguis, Province of Quirino. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Second Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III and
VI) shall be stationed in the City of Laoag, one judge (Branch V) to be
stationed in the Municipality of Bangui, Province of Ilocos Norte; one
judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Batac, same
province; three judges (Branches I, III, and VI) in the Municipality of
Vigan, Province of Ilocos Sur; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality
of Cabugao, same province; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of
Narvacan, same province; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of
Candon, same province; three judges (Branches I, II and IV) in the City
of Baguio; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of La Trinidad,
Province of Benguet; one judge (Branch I) in the Municipality of
Bontoc, Mountain Province; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of
Lagawe, Province of Ifugao; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality
of Tabuk, Province of Kalinga-Apayao; one judge (Branch IV) in the
Municipality of Luna, same province; two judges in the Municipality of
Bangued, Province of Abra; two judges (Branches I and II) in the
Municipality of San Fernando, Province of La Union; one judge (Branch
III) in the Municipality of Agoo, same province; one judge (Branch IV)
in the Municipality of Bauang, same province; and one judge (Branch V)
in the Municipality of Balaoan, same province. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Third Judicial District, three judges (Branches I, II and XI)
shall be stationed in the Municipality of Lingayen, Province of
Pangasinan; four judges (Branches III, IV, VIII and XII) shall be
stationed in the City of Dagupan, two judges (Branches V and IX) in the
Municipality of Urdaneta, Province of Pangasinan; two judges (Branches
VI and XIV) in the Municipality of Tayug, same province; two judges
(Branches VII and XIII) in the Municipality of Alaminos, same province;
and one judge (Branch X) in the City of San Carlos; the judges of the
first and third Branches of the Courts of First Instance of Zambales
and Olongapo City shall be stationed in Olongapo City, and the judge of
the second branch, in the Municipality of Iba, Province of Zambales.
For the Fourth Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III and
VII) shall be stationed in the City of Cabanatuan; one judge (Branch
IV) in the Municipality of Guimba, Province of Nueva Ecija; one judge
(Branch V) in the Municipality of Gapan, same province; one judge
(Branch VI) in the Municipality of Sto. Domingo, same province; one
judge (Branch VIII) in the City of San Jose; and four judges in the
Municipality of Tarlac, Province of Tarlac.
For the First Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, III, V and
VI) shall be stationed in the Municipality of San Fernando, Province of
Pampanga; one judge (Branch II) shall be stationed in the Municipality
of Guagua, same province; one judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in
the City of Angeles; and one judge (Branch VII) shall be stationed in
the Municipality of Macabebe, Province of Pampanga; two judges in the
Municipality of Balanga, Province of Bataan; four judges (Branches I,
II, VI, and VII) in the Municipality of Malolos, Province of Bulacan;
two judges (Branches III and VIII) in (Branch IV) in the Municipality
of Baliuag, same province and one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality
of Sta. Maria, same province.
For the Seventh Judicial District, fifteen judges (Branches I, II, VI,
VIII, X, XI, XIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV and XXXVI)
shall be stationed in the Municipality of Pasig, Province of Rizal; six
judges (Branches III, VII, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX and XXX) shall be
stationed in Pasay City; seven judges (Branches IV, V, IX, XVI, XVII,
XVIII and XXXI) in Quezon City; six judges (Branches XII, XIV, XXXII,
XXXIII, XXXIV and XXXV) in Caloocan City; two judges (Branches XV and
XXXVI) in the Municipality of Makati, Province of Rizal; two judges
(Branches I and II) in the City of Puerto Princesa; one judge (Branch
III) in the Municipality of Brooke's Point, Province of Palawan; one
judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Coron, same province; two
judges (Branches II and III) in the City of Cavite; one judge (Branch
I) in the City of Trece Martires; one judge (Branch IV) in Tagaytay
City and one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Bacoor, Province
of Cavite. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Eighth Judicial District, one judge (Branch I) shall be
stationed in the Municipality of Biñan, Province of Laguna; one
judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Calamba, same province; two
judges (Branches II and IV) in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, same
province; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Siniloan, same
province; and one judge (Branch III) in the City of San Pablo; the
judges of the first and second branches of the Courts of First Instance
of Batangas and Lipa City shall be stationed in the City of Batangas;
that of the third branch in the Municipality of Lemery, Province of
Batangas; that of the fourth and fifth branches in the City of Lipa;
that of the sixth branch, in the Municipality of Tanauan, Province of
Batangas; and that of the seventh branch in the Municipality of
Balayan, same province; one judge (Branch I) in the Municipality of
Calapan, Province of Mindoro Oriental; one judge (Branch II) in the
Municipality of Pinamalayan, same province; one judge (Branch I) in the
Municipality of Mamburao, Province of Mindoro Occidental; and one judge
(Branch II) in the Municipality of San Jose, same province.
For the Ninth Judicial District, six judges (Branches I, II, VI, VII,
VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of Lucena; two judges
(Branches III and X) in the Municipality of Gumaca, Province of Quezon;
one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Calauag, same province;
one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Mauban, same province; and
one judge in the Municipality of Baler, Subprovince of Aurora.
For the Tenth Judicial District, five judges (Branches I, II, III, IV
and V) shall be stationed in the City of Naga; one judge (Branch VI) in
the Municipality of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur; and one judge
(Branch VII) in the City of Iriga; three judges shall be stationed in
the Municipality of Daet, Province of Camarines Norte; four judges
(Branches I, II, III, and IV) in the City of Legaspi; one judge (Branch
V) in the Municipality of Ligao, Province of Albay; and one judge
(Branch VI) in the Municipality of Tabaco, same province; two judges in
the Municipality of Virac, Province of Catanduanes; two judges
(Branches I and III) in the Municipality of Gubat, Province of
Sorsogon; three judges in the Municipality of Masbate, Province
of Masbate. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Eleventh Judicial District, three judges (Branches I, II and
IV) shall be stationed in Roxas City; one judge (Branch III) in the
Municipality of Mambusao, Province of Capiz; one judge in the
Municipality of Romblon, Province of Marinduque; three judges in the
Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan; seven judges in the City of
Iloilo; and two judges in the Municipality of San Jose, Province of
Antique.
For the Twelfth Judicial District, six judges (Branches II, III, IV, V,
VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of Bacolod; one judge
(Branch I) in the City of Silay; two judges (Branches VII and X) in the
City of San Carlos; and one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of
Himamaylan, Province of Occidental Negros; five judges in the City of
Dumaguete; and one judge in the Municipality of Larena, Province of
Siquijor. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Thirteenth Judicial District, one judge (Branch I) shall be
stationed in the Municipality of Catbalogan, Province of Western Samar;
one judge (Branch IX) in the Municipality of Basey, same province; two
judges (Branches III and X) in the Municipality of Laoang, Province of
Northern Samar; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Catarman,
same province; one judge (Branch V) in the City of Calbayog; one judge
(Branch VI) in the Municipality of Guiuan, Province of Eastern Samar;
one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Borongan, same province;
one judge (Branch VII) in the Municipality of Allen, Province of
Northern Samar; one judge (Branch VIII) in the Municipality of Oras,
Province of Eastern Samar; five judges (Branches I, II, IV, XI and XII)
shall be stationed in the City of Tacloban; one judge (Branch III) in
the Municipality of Maain, Province of Southern Leyte; one judge
(Branch X) in the Municipality of San Juan, same province: one judge
(Branch V) in the City of Ormoc; who shall hold court sessions in the
Municipality of Palompon at least two months every year; one judge
(Branch VI) in the Municipality of Carigara, Province of Leyte; one
judge (Branch VIII) in the Municipality of Baybay, same province; one
judge (Branch IX) in the Municipality of Burauen, same province; and
one judge (Branch VII) in the Municipality of Naval, same
province. chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
For the Fourteenth Judicial District, twelve judges (Branches I to
VIII, XI, XIII, XIV and XV) shall be stationed in the City of Cebu; one
judge (Branch IX) in the City of Toledo; one judge (Branch XII) in the
Municipality of Argao, Province of Cebu; two judges (Branches X and
XVII) in the City of Danao; and one judge (Branch XVI) in the City of
Lapu-Lapu; four judges in the City of Tagbilaran.
For the Fifteenth Judicial District, two judges (Branches I and II)
should be stationed in City of Surigao; one judge (Branch III) in the
Municipality of Dapa, Province of Surigao del Norte; two judges
(Branches I and III) in the Municipality of Tandag, Province of Surigao
del Sur; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Lianga, same
province; two judges in the City of Butuan; one judge in the
Municipality of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan del Sur; four judges
(Branches I, VII, VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of
Cagayan de Oro; three judges (Branches II, V and VI) in the
Municipality of Malaybalay, Province of Bukidnon; one judge (Branch
III) in the Municipality of Medina, Province of Misamis Oriental; and
one judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in the Municipality of
Mambajao, Province of Camiguin; two judges (Branches I and III) shall
be stationed in the City of Marawi; and three judges (Branches II, IV
and V) in the City of Iligan.
For the Sixteenth Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III
and VI) shall be stationed in the City of Davao; two judges (Branches
IV and X) in the Municipality of Mate, Province of Davao Oriental; two
judges (Branches V and VII) in the Municipality of Digos, Province of
Davao del Sur; two judges (Branches VIII, and IX) in the Municipality
of Tagum, Province of Davao del Norte; one judge (Branch XI) in the
Municipality of Nabunturan, same province; one judge (Branch XII) in
the Municipality of Baganga, Province of Davao Oriental; three judges
(Branches I, II and IV) shall be stationed in the City of Cotabato; one
judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Pagalungan, Province of
Cotabato; one judge (Branch I) shall be stationed in the City of
General Santos; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Koronadal,
Province of South Cotabato; two judges (Branches I and III) shall be
stationed in the City of Oroquieta; one judge (Branch II) in the City
of Ozamiz; three judges (Branches I, II and III) in the City of
Dipolog; one judge (Branch IV) in the municipality of Sindangan,
Province of Zamboanga del Norte; three judges in the City of Pagadian;
two judges (Branches I and II) in the City of Zamboanga; one judge in
the City of Basilan; and three judges (Branches I, II and III) in the
Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu.
Section 2. All provisions of existing laws, orders,
rules and regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions
of this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Section 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 5th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-three.
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