Creation of additional courts to make justice 'more accessible'

The Senate today approved on third and final reading six House bills creating four Regional Trial Courts (RTCs), a Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC), three Metropolitan Trial Courts (METCs) and converting seven Pasig Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) into Taguig RTCs.

House Bill Nos. 2821, 5717, 5731, 5743, 5739 and 5740 were sponsored by the Sen. Chiz Escudero, chairman of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

Escudero said the creation and conversion of the courts will make justice more accessible to the public.

House Bill No. 2821 shall create an additional MCTC in Guimaras.

House Bill Nos. 5717, 5739 and 5740 shall create three RTCs in the provinces of Iloilo, Agusan del Sur and Negros Occidental. These are in Janiuay, Iloilo; Trento, Agusan del Sur and Sipalay, Negros Occidental.

House Bill No. 5731 calls for the creation of three METCs in Taguig City while House Bill No. 5743 shall convert seven Pasig RTCs located in Taguig City into Taguig City RTCs.

All six bills were approved on second reading with committee amendments last October 17, 2012. Escudero said 350 new courts have already been created including RTCs, MTCs and MCTCs. (OLIVE CAUNAN, PRIB)