President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has recently enacted Republic Act 12121, which authorizes the establishment of eight new courts in San Juan City. The legislation, signed into law on February 13, reassigns four existing Regional Trial Court (RTC) branches from Pasig City to San Juan City, specifically branches 68, 160, 162, and 264. Additionally, the act provides for the creation of two new RTC branches and two new branches of the Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) within the National Capital Judicial Region, all to be located in San Juan City. The Supreme Court is responsible for setting the rules and regulations needed to implement RA 12121 effectively, including the potential realignment of existing court branches and their jurisdictions. The Supreme Court will also assign branch numbers to the newly established RTC and MeTC branches in San Juan. The law also establishes the Office of the Clerk of Court in San Juan, with staffing based on the number of court branches. Jurisdiction over cases originating from San Juan will be handled by these new or converted courts. The territorial jurisdiction of Pasig City’s RTC and MeTC will be adjusted to no longer include San Juan. The Chief Justice, working with the Secretary of Justice, is tasked with ensuring the new and converted courts in San Juan are operationalized promptly. Funding for the implementation of RA 12121, including salaries and benefits for court personnel, will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, with funds released upon the courts’ organization and staffing. RA 12121 was made public on Wednesday and will become effective 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
President Marcos Jr. Establishes Eight New Courts in San Juan City
·
