Creating the Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns
On August 13, 2014, the Supreme Court of the Philippines issued Memorandum Order No. 20-14, establishing the Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns to enhance the implementation of Republic Act No. 8369, which created family courts in 1997. The committee is tasked with formulating implementing rules and regulations, organizing family courts, assessing training needs, and recommending necessary infrastructure improvements. It will monitor the implementation of family court plans and create working groups as required. The committee comprises judges, court administrators, and representatives from various legal and judicial sectors, with expense allowances for its members.
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, |
|
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Judge Lorifel Lacap Pahimna — RTC Br. 69, Pasig City, | |
|
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Judge Ma. Theresa M. Arcega — RTC Br. 17, Malolos Bulacan, | |
|
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Judge Cesar Pabel D. Sulit, RTC, Pasig City | |
|
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Court Administrator or his representative | |
|
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Chief, Office of the Chief Attorney | |
|
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Chief, Fiscal Management and Budget Office | |
|
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Chief, MISO | |
|
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Chief, PIO | |
|
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Atty. Myrna Feliciano, Philippine Judicial Academy | |
|
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Representative, Office of the Chief Justice | |
| Secretary |
:
|
Atty. Catherina N. Manzano |
| Asst. Secretary |
:
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Ms. Ma. Theresa Baylon |
| Secretariat |
:
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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