"x x x.
Approved were the creation of one RTC in North Cotabato; four in
Compostela Valley; one in Isabela; four in Bukidnon; one in Negros Oriental; 14 RTCs in Barili, Danao City and Mandaue City in Cebu; 17 in San Mateo and Antipolo City, both in Rizal; two in Quezon; 10 in San Pedro, Sta. Cruz, and Biñan in Laguna; four in Tarlac; six in Pampanga and five in Malabon City. Also approved were the creation of one MeTC in Malabon City and one MTCC in Antipolo City. Information provided by the Senate finance committee showed that as of January this year, there are almost 600 vacant positions in various courts in the country. Next year, the judiciary will get P17.77-billion budget allocation from this year’s P15.71 billion, or an increase of 13.08 percent. The proposed 2013 budget will support the resolution of about 324,434 cases pending in the SC, Court of Appeals and Court of Tax Appeals. Of the proposed budget, P15.72 billion will go to the SC and lower courts, an increase of 12.86 percent from P13.93 billion, while P1.32 billion will go to the Court of Appeals, or P181.22 million higher than its present budget of P1.144 billion. – With Christina Mendez |
x x x."
