Pursuant to Sec. 5 (3), Art. VIII of the Constitution, the Hon. ERNESTO R. GUTIERREZ, Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, Zamboanga City is hereby DESIGNATED Acting Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court, Branches 3 and 4, with stations in Jolo and Parang, Sulu, respectively in addition to his regular duties in his own court, effective immediately and to continue until the appointment of the regular judges thereat or until further orders from this Court. He shall be entitled to reimbursement of travelling expenses with per diems and an additional expense allowance and a hardship allowance as provided for in the Resolution No. 99-1-04-SC of the Court En Banc dated February 2, 1999.

Further, Executive Judge Carlito Eisma, RTC, Zamboanga City is hereby DIRECTED to reduce the number of cases raffled to RTC, Br. 14, Zamboanga City considering the additional assignment of Judge Ernesto R. Gutierrez.

This order revokes the designation of Hon. TIBING A. ASAALI as Acting Presiding Judge of the RTC, Branches 3 and 4, Sulu pursuant to Administrative Order No. 95-98 dated July 16, 1998.

October 1, 1999.

HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR.

Chief Justice