The Supreme Court of the Philippines has designated Regional Trial Court Branches 34 and 31, both in Dumaguete City, as an additional Drug Court and Family Court, respectively.{{more}}
RTC Branch 34 Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan said the Supreme Court made the designations in an en banc resolution dated Feb. 1, 2011, after the Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Dumaguete City requested the Supreme Court through then Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno to create at least one additional drug court in Dumaguete City.
Under the en banc resolution, RTC Branches 30 and 37, Dumaguete City, which are the existing drug court and family court, respectively, shall continue to try and decide cases pending in their respective salas, where trial has already began.
For this purpose, trial has begun when the accused or any of the accused in a criminal case has been arraigned or when the pre-trial stage is terminated in civil cases.
All drug cases pending with Branch 30 where the trial has not yet begun, shall be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk of Court, for assignment by the Executive Judge to Branch 34.
All family cases pending with Branch 37, where trial has not yet begun, shall be forwarded to the Office of the Clerk of Court for assignment by the Executive Judge to Branch 31.
All newly filed drug cases shall be assigned to RTC, Branch 34, Dumaguete City, until such time that the number of cases assigned to Branch 34, is equal to the cases assigned to Branch 30.
All newly filed family court cases shall be assigned to RTC, Branch 31, Dumaguete City, until such time that the cases assigned to Branch 31, is equal to the cases assigned to Branch 37.
RTC Branches 34 and 31, Dumaguete City, shall likewise, continue to try and decide cases pending in their respective salas, where trial has already begun.
For this purpose, trial has begun when the accused or any of the accused in a criminal case has been arraigned or when the pre-trial is terminated in civil cases.
All cases pending with Branches 34 and 31, where trial has not begun, shall be forwarded to the office of the Clerk of Court, for raffle by the Executive Judge among the regular courts thereat. (PR)