Duterte signs law creating judges-at-large posts

MANILA, Philippines — A law creating 150 judges-at-large posts to address congestion in courts has been signed. 

A total of 100 regional trial court (RTC) judges-at-large and 50 for municipal trial courts (MTCs) were created under Republic Act 11459, which President Duterte signed on Aug. 30.

To be appointed RTC judges-at-large are natural-born citizens, at least 35 years old and practicing law for at least 10 years or held a public office that requires admission to law practice.

RTC judges-at-large will have no permanent salas and may be assigned by the Supreme Court as acting or assisting judges at any RTC. They are entitled to salaries, privileges, allowances, benefits, rank and title of an RTC judge.

The 50 MTC judges-at-large will also have no permanent salas and may be assigned by the high court as acting or assisting judges at any first level court. They are entitled to the benefits, rank and title of a judge of their counterparts in cities. 

Only natural-born citizens, at least 30 years old and practicing law or held a public office that requires admission to law practice for at least five years can be appointed MTC judges-at-large. 

RTC branches

Meanwhile, the House committee on justice approved nine bills which seek to create 20 RTC branches nationwide to expedite the resolution of cases.

Leyte third district Rep. Vicente Veloso III said nine bills creating the RTC branches were submitted for plenary deliberations on Wednesday.

The bills seek to create the RTCs in Villabe and Tacloban in Leyte; Quezon, Bukidnon; Catanauan and Calayag in Quezon; Calamba, Laguna; Samal, Davao del Norte; Compostela, Nabunturan and Mabini in Compostela Valley;  Alfonso, Cavite, and Villanueva, Misamis Oriental. – Edu Punay, Delon Porcalla