Creating the Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns

August 13, 2014

SUPREME COURT MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 20-14

CREATING THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY COURTS AND JUVENILE CONCERNS

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 8369 was enacted in 1997 providing for the establishment of family courts;

WHEREAS, from its enactment the law has not been fully implemented;

WHEREAS, there is a need to revisit the law and map out plans for its implementation taking into consideration current issues and requirements;

NOW THEREFORE, the Committee on Family Courts (formerly the Sub-Committee on Family Courts under the Committee on the Revision of the Rules of Court and the Committee on Gender Responsiveness) is hereby created and constituted as follows:

Chairperson	:	Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro
Vice-Chairperson	:	Justice Victoria Isabel A. Paredes, Court of Appeals
Members	:	Judge Angelene Mary Quimpo Sale — RTC Br. 106, Quezon City,
		Judge Lorifel Lacap Pahimna — RTC Br. 69, Pasig City,
		Judge Ma. Theresa M. Arcega — RTC Br. 17, Malolos Bulacan,
		Judge Cesar Pabel D. Sulit, RTC, Pasig City
		Court Administrator or his representative
		Chief, Office of the Chief Attorney
		Chief, Fiscal Management and Budget Office
		Chief, MISO
		Chief, PIO
		Atty. Myrna Feliciano, Philippine Judicial Academy
		Representative, Office of the Chief Justice
Secretary	:	Atty. Catherina N. Manzano
Asst. Secretary	:	Ms. Ma. Theresa Baylon
Secretariat	:	To be designated by the Chairperson

 

The Committee shall have the following duties:

1. Formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations and other rules for Republic Act 8369 (Family Courts Act of 1997)

2. Draft plan for the organization of family courts to include the following:

a. Creation/Development of staffing pattern for family courts

b. Determination of number of courts that must be created under national legislation

c. Report on training needs assessment of all actors in family and juvenile justice sector aTEHCc

d. Recommendations for infrastructure requirements for family courts

e. Piloting of family courts that will have ideal guidelines, resources, environment, facilities and staff for addressing family and juvenile justice concerns.

3. Monitor the implementation of the plan for the creation and organization of family courts including identification of procedural rules and court guidelines, as well as judicial and legal forms, that must be adopted to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of family courts;

4. Create such working groups as necessary to carry out its duties.

The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Members, and Members of the Secretariat of the Committee, including those who have rendered service as part of the said Committee prior to the issuance of this Memorandum Order, shall receive the usual expense allowances.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect upon its issuance this 13th day of August 2014.

(SGD.) MARIA LOURDES P. A. SERENOChief Justice

(SGD.) ANTONIO T. CARPIOSenior Associate Justice

(SGD.) PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.Associate Justice