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Republic Act
Approved August 12, 2024

Republic Act No. 12018

An act creating three (3) additional shari'a judicial districts and twelve (12) shari'a circuit courts therein, and appropriating funds therefor, amending for the purpose articles 138, 147, and 150 of presidential decree no. 1083, otherwise known as the "code of muslim personal laws of the philippines", as amended, and the relevant provisions of batas pambansa blg. 129, otherwise known as the "judiciary reorganization act of 1980", as amended

An Act Creating Three (3) Additional Shari'a Judicial Districts and Twelve (12) Shari'a Circuit Courts Therein, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Amending for the Purpose Articles 138, 147, and 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, Otherwise Known as the "Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines", as Amended, and the Relevant Provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as the "Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", as Amended

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In plain language

This act establishes three additional shari'a judicial districts and twelve additional shari'a circuit courts, amends Articles 138, 147, and 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, and amends relevant provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, while appropriating funds for the staffing and operation of these courts.

  • Amends Article 138 to establish eight shari'a judicial districts
  • Amends Article 147 to designate permanent stations for shari'a district courts
  • Amends Article 150 to create twelve shari'a circuit courts
  • Appropriates funds for staffing and operation of the new courts
  • Defines staffing patterns for district and circuit courts
Shari'a Law
Judiciary
Philippines
Republic Act
Court Districts
Amendment

[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 12018, August 12, 2024 ]

AN ACT CREATING THREE (3) ADDITIONAL SHARI'A JUDICIAL DISTRICTS AND TWELVE (12) SHARI'A CIRCUIT COURTS THEREIN, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 138, 147, AND 150 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1083, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CODE OF MUSLIM PERSONAL LAWS OF THE PHILIPPINES", AS AMENDED, AND THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980", AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

Article 138 of Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the "Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines", is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article 138, Shari'a judicial districts. - Eight special judicial districts, each to have one Shari'a District Court president over by one judge, are constituted as follows:

(a)The First Shari'a District shall comprise the Province of Sulu;
(b)The Second Shari'a District, the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c)The Third Shari'a District, the Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga;
(d)The Fourth Shari'a District, the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi;
(e)The Fifth Shari'a District, the Provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and the City of Cotabato;
(f)The Sixth Shari'a District, the Provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, and the City of Cagayan de Oro;
(g)The Seventh Shari'a District, the Provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte, and the City of Tacloban; and (h) The Eight Shari'a District, the National Capital Region, the City of Baguio, the Provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Section 2

Article 147 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as follows:

Article 147. Permanent stations; offices. - (1) The Shari'a District Courts shall have their respective permanent stations in the following places:

(a)First Shari'a District, Jolo, Sulu;
(b)Second Shari'a District, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi;
(c)Third Shari'a District, Zamboanga City;
(d)Fourth Shari'a District, Marawi City;
(e)Fifth Shari'a District, Cotabato City;
(f)Sixth Shari'a District, Davao City;
(g)Seventh Shari'a District, Cebu City; and (h) Eight Shari'a District, Cebu City; and (2) The Shari'a District Courts may hold sessions anywhere within their respective districts.
(3)The provinces, cities or municipalities concerned shall provide such courts with adequate court office, supplies and equipment in accordance with the provisions of the Judiciary Law."

Section 3

Article 150 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 is hereby amended as follows:

Article 150. Where established. - (1) Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be established as follows:

(a)Six such courts in the Province of Sulu;
(b)Eight in the Province of Tawi-Tawi;
(c)Ten in and for the Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga;
(d)Twelve in and for the Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and the Cities of Iligan and Marawi;
(e)Fifteen in and for the Provinces of Maguindanao, Norht Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat and the City of Cotabato;
(f)Five in and for the Provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur, and the City of Cagayan de Oro;
(g)Three in and for the Provinces of Aklan, Antiuqe, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar, and Southern Leyte, and the City of Tacloban;
(h)Four in and for the cities and municipality within the National Capital Region, the City of Baguio, Provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Neuva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindor, Palawan, Romblon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.
(2)The territorial jurisdiction of each of the Shari'a Circuit Courts shall be fixed by the Supreme Court on the basis of geographical contiguity and accessibility of the municipalities and cities concerned and their Muslim population."

Section 4

The staffing pattern for each new Shari'a District Court shall be composed of twelve (12) personnel, specifically: one (1) Shari'a District Court judge, one (1) clerk of court, one (1) court legal researchers, one (1) interpreter, three (3) court stenographers, one (1) sheriff, two (2) clerks, one (1) process server, and one (1) utility worker.

Each Shari'a Circuit Court shall be composed of nine (9) personnel, specifically: one (1) Shari'a Circuit Court judge, one (1) clerk of court, one (1) interpreter, three (3) court stenographers, one (1) clerk, one (1) junior process server, and one (1) utility worker.

Section 5

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall immediately include in the Court's program the operationalization of the newly created Shari'a Judicial Districts, Shari'a District Courts, and Shari'a Circuit Courts.

Section 6

The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act, including appropriations for personnel services such as salaries benefits and emoluments for judges and court personnel, court operations under Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), and provision for hall of justice or courtrooms to accommodate judges and court staff, shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 7. Separability Clause

If any portion or provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

Section 8. Repealing Clause

The relevant provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", as amended, and Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the "Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines", as amended, and all other laws, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed, or modified accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity

This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,

| (SGD.) FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO President of the Senate | (SGD.) FERDINAND MARTIN G. ROMUALDEZ Speaker of the House of Representatives |

This Act, which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 2594 and House Bill No. 8257, was passed by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives on May 21, 2024 and May 22, 2024, respectively.

RENATO N. BANTUG, JR.

Secretary of the Senate

REGINALD S. VELASCO

Secretary General House of Representatives

Approved: AUG 12 2024

FERDINAND ROMUALDEZ MARCOS JR.

President of the Philippines

For information and research only, and not legal advice. This text may not reflect later amendments. For certified copies, refer to the Official Gazette or the issuing agency.