[ PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 204, June 05, 1973 ]

AMENDING THE JUDICIARY ACT BY CHANGING THE PERMANENT STATIONS OF DISTRICT JUDGES.

WHEREAS, under Republic Act No. 296, as amended, otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 1948, the permanent stations of Judges of Courts of First Instance in many provinces are found in municipalities other than in the cities or provincial capitals;

WHEREAS, the primary intent for establishing Courts of First Instance in such municipalities was to make the courts more accessible to the people but such purpose has been frustrated because most practising lawyers reside in the cities or provincial capitals preferring to handle cases thereat and making it more expensive for parties to bring their counsel to the Courts stationed in other municipalities, moreover, the disposition of cases is delayed because of inability of lawyers to be present in two or three courts stationed in different places; and

WHEREAS, many municipalities where the Courts of First Instance have their permanent stations lack facilities for holding court thereby impairing the efficient administration of justice;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081, dated September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, as amended, do hereby decree as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 52 of the Judiciary Act (Republic Act No. 296, as amended) is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 52. Permanent Stations of District judges. The permanent station of judges of the Sixth judicial Districts shall be in the City of Manila.

"In other judicial districts, the permanent stations of the judges shall be as follows;

"For the First Judicial District, the judges of the first and fifth branches of the Courts of First Instance of Cagayan and Batanes shall be stationed in the Municipality of Tuguegarao, Province of Cagayan; the judge of the second branch, in the Municipality of Aparri, same province; the judge of the third branch, in the Municipality of Tuao, same province; and the judge of the fourth branch in the Municipality of Sanches Mira, same province; one judge shall be stationed in the Municipality of Ilagan, Province of Isabela; one judge shall be stationed in the Municipality of Cabagan, same province; one judge shall be stationed in the Municipality of Cauayan, same province; the judge of the fourth branch shall be stationed in the Municipality of Roxas, same province; the judge of the fifth branch shall be stationed in the Municipality of Echague, same province; three judges, in the Municipality of Bayombong, Province of Nueva Vizcaya; and one judge in the Municipality of Cabarroguis, Province of Quirino.

"For the Second Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III and VI) shall be stationed in the City of Laoag, one judge (Branch V) to be stationed in the Municipality of Bangui, Province of Ilocos Norte; one judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Batac, same province; three judges (Branches I, III and VI) in the Municipality of Vigan, Province of Ilocos Sur; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Gabugao, same province; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Narvacan, same province; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Candon, same province; three judges (Branches I, II and IV) in the City of Baguio; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of La Trinidad, Province of Benguet; one judge (Branch I) in the Municipality of Bontoc, Mountain Province; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Lagawe, Province of Ifugao; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Tabuk, Province of Kalinga-Apayao; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Luna, same province; two judges in the Municipality of Bangued, Province of Abra; two judges (Branches I and II) in the Municipality of San Fernando, Province of La Union; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Agoo, same province; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Bauang, same province; and one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Balaoan, same province.

"For the Third Judicial District, three judges (Branches I, II and XI) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Lingayen, Province of Pangasinan; four judges (Branches III, IV, VIII and XII) shall be stationed in the City of Dagupan; two judges (Branches V and IX) in the Municipality of Urdaneta, Province of Pangasinan; two judges (Branches VI and XIV) in the Municipality of Tayug, same province; two judges (Branches VII and XIII) in the Municipality of Alaminos, same province; and one judge (Branch X) b the City of San Carlos; the judges of (.he first and third Branches of the Courts of First Instance of Zambales and Olongapo City shall be stationed in Olongapo City, and the judge of the second branch, in the Municipality of Iba, Province of Zambales.

"For the Fourth Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III and VII) shall be stationed in the City of Cabanatuan; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Guimba, Province of Nueva Ecija; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Gapan, same province; one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Sto. Domingo, same province; one judge (Branch VIII) in the City of San Jose; and four judges"in the Municipality of Tarlac, Province of Tarlac.

"For the Fifth Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, III, V and VI) shall be stationed in the Municipality of San Fernando, Province of Pampanga; one judge (Branch II) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Guagua, same province; one judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in the City of Angeles; and one judge (Branch VII) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Macabebe, Province of Pampanga; two judges in the Municipality of Balanga, Province of Bataan; four judges (Branches I, II, VI and VII) in the Municipality of Malolos, Province of Bulacan; two judges (Branches III and VIII) in the municipality of Valenzuela, same province; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Baliuag, same province; and one judge (Branch V) in the municipality of Santa Maria, same province.

"For the Seventh Judicial District, fifteen judges (Branches I, II, VI, VIII, X, XI, XIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV and XXVI) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Pasig, Province of Rizal; six judges (Branches III, VII, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX and XXX) shall be stationed in Pasay City; seven judges (Branches IV, V, IX, XVI, XVII, XVIII and XXXI) in Quezon City; six judges (Branches XII, XIV, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV and XXXV) in Caloocan City; two judges (Branch XV and XXXVI) in the Municipality of Makati, Province of Rizal; two judges (Branches I and II) in the City of Puerto Princesa; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Brooke's Point, Province of Palawan; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Coron, same province; two judges (Branches II and III) in the City of Cavite; one judge (Branch I) in the City of Trece Martires; one judge (Branch IV) in Tagaytay City; and one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Bacoor, Province of Cavite.

"For the Eight Judicial District, one judge (Branch I) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Biñan, Province of Laguna; one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Calamba, same province, two judges (Branches II and IV) in the Municipality of Sta. Cruz, same province; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Siniloan, same province; and one judge (Branch III) in the City of San Pablo; the judges of the first and second branches of the Courts of First Instance of Batangas and Lipa City shall be stationed in the City of Batangas; that of the third branch in the Municipality of Lemery, Province of Batangas; that of the fourth and fifth branches in the City of lipa; that of the sixth branch, in the Municipality of Tanauan, Province of Batangas; and that of the seventh branch in the Municipality of Balayan, same province; one judge (Branch I) in the Municipality of Calapan, Province of Mindoro Oriental; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Pinamalayan, same province; one judge (Branch I) in the Municipality of Mamburao, Province of Mindoro Occidental; and one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of San Jose, same province.

"For the Ninth Judicial District, six judges (Branches I, II, VI, VII, VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of Lucena; two judges (Branches III and X) in the Municipality of Gumaca, Province of Quezon; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Calauag, same province; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Mauban, same province; and one judge in the Municipality of Baler, subprovince of Aurora.

"For the Tenth Judicial District, five judges (Branches I, II, III, IV and V) shall be stationed in the City of Naga; one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Pili, Province of Camarines Sur; and one judge (Branch VII) in the City of Iriga; three judges shall be stationed in the Municipality of Daet, Province of Camarines Norte; four judges (Branches I, II, III, and IV) in the City of Legazpi; one judge (Branch V) in the Municipality of Ligao, Province of Albay; and one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Tabaco, same province; two judges in the Municipality of Virac, Province of Catanduanes; two judges (Branches I and III) in the Municipality of Sorsogon and one judge (Branch II) for the Municipality of Gubat, Province of Sorsogon; three judges in the Municipality of Masbate, Province of Masbate.

"For the Eleventh Judicial District, three judges (Branches I, II and IV) shall be stationed in Roxas City; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Mambusao, Province of Capiz; one judge in the Municipality of Romblon, Province of Romblon; one judge in the Municipality of Boac, Province of Marinduque; three judges in the Municipality of Kalibo, Province of Aklan; seven judges in the City of iloilo; and two judges in the Municipality of San Jose, Province of Antique.

"For the Twelfth Judicial District, six judges (Branches II, III, IV, V, VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of Bacolod; one judge (Branch I) in the City of Silay; two judges (Branches VII and X) in the City of San Carlos; and one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Himamaylan, Province of Occidental Negros; five judges in the City of Dumaguete; and one judge in the Municipality of Larena, Province of Siquijor.

"For the Thirteenth Judicial District, one judge (Branch I) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Catbalogan, Province of Western Samar; one judge (Branch IX) in the Municipality of Basey, same province; two judges (Branches III and X) in the Municipality of Laoang, Province of Northern Samar; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Catarman, same province; one judge (Branch V) in the City of Calbayog; one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Guiuan, Province of Eastern Samar; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Borongan, same province; one judge (Branch VII) in the Municipality of Allen, Province of Northern Samar; one judge (Branch VIII) in the Municipality of Oras, Province of Eastern Samar; five judges (Branches I, II, IV, XI and XII) shall be stationed in the City of Tacloban; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Maasin, Province of Southern Leyte; one judge (Branch X) in the Municipality of San Juan, same province; one judge (Branch V) in the City of Ormoc; who shall hold court sessions in the Municipality of Palompon at least two months every year; one judge (Branch VI) in the Municipality of Carigara, Province of Leyte; one judge (Branch VIII) in the Municipality of Baybay, same province; one judge (Branch IX) in the Municipality of Burauen, same province; and one judge (Branch VII) in the Municipality of Naval, same province.

"For the Fourteenth Judicial District, twelve judges (Branches I to VIII, XI, XIII, XIV and XV) shall be stationed in the City of Cebu; one judge (Branch IX) in the City of Toledo; one judge (Branch XII) in the Municipality of Argao, Province of Cebu; two judges (Branches X and XVII) in the City of Danao; and one judge (Branch XVI) in the City of Lapu-Lapu; four judges in the City of Tagbilaran.

"For the Fifteenth Judicial District, two judges (Branches I and II) should be stationed in the City of Surigao; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Dapa, Province of Surigao del Norte; two judges (Branches I and III) in the Municipality of Tandag, Province of Surigao del Sur; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Lianga, same province; two judges in the City of Butuan; one judge in the Municipality of Prosperidad, Province of Agusan del Sur; four judges (Branches I, VII, VIII and IX) shall be stationed in the City of Cagayan de Oro; three judges (Branches II, V and VI) in the Municipality of Malaybalay, Province of Bukidnon; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Medina, Province of Misamis Oriental; and one judge (Branch IV) shall be stationed in the Municipality of Mambajao, Province of Camiguin; two judges (Branches I and III) shall be stationed in the City of Marawi; and three judges (Branches II, IV and V) in the City of Iligan.

"For the Sixteenth Judicial District, four judges (Branches I, II, III and VI) shall be stationed in the City of Davao; two judges (Branches IV and X) in the Municipality of Mati, Province of Davao Oriental; two judges (Branches V and VII) in the Municipality of Digos, Province of Davao del Sur; two judges (Branches VIII and IX) in the Municipality of Tagum, Province of Davao del Norte; one judge (Branch XI) in the Municipality of Nabunturan, same province; one judge (Branch XII) in the Municipality of Baganga, Province of Davao Oriental; three judges (Branches I, II and IV) shall be stationed in the City of Cotabato; one judge (Branch III) in the Municipality of Pagalungan, Province of Cotabato; one judge (Branch I) shall be stationed in the City of General Santos; one judge (Branch II) in the Municipality of Koronadal, Province of South Cotabato; two judges (Branches I and III) shall be stationed in the City of Oroquieta; one judge (Branch II) in the City of Ozamiz; three judges (Branches I, II and III) in the City of Dipolog; one judge (Branch IV) in the Municipality of Sindangan, Province of Zamboanga del Norte; three judges in the City of Pagadian; two judges (Branches I and II) in the City of Zamboanga; one judge in the City of Basilan; and three judges (Branches I, II and III) in the Municipality of Jolo, Province of Sulu."

SEC. 2. All provisions of existing laws, orders, rules and regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 5th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-three.

			(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS President Republic of the Philippines
	By the President:
	(Sgd.) ROBERTO V. REYES
		Assistant Executive Secretary