Designation of Special Courts to Hear, Try and Decide Election Contests Involving Elective Barangay Officials

August 15, 2007

SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 129-07

WHEREAS, under Section 2 of Rule 2 of the Rules of Procedures in Election Contests Before the Courts Involving Elective Municipal and Barangay Officials (Resolution dated April 24, 2007 in A.M. No. 07-4-15-SC), the Municipal Trial Courts shall have the exclusive original jurisdiction over all election contests involving elective barangay officials;

WHEREAS, Section 12 of the same Rule provides that the Supreme Court shall designate the courts which shall take cognizance of election protests and petitions for quo warranto;

NOW, THEREFORE, in the interest of a speedy and efficient administration of justice and pursuant to Section 12 of Rule 2 of the Rules of Procedure in Election Contests Before the Courts Involving Elective Municipal and Barangay Officials, the following branches of the first level courts are hereby designated to exclusively and speedily hear, try and decide election protests and petitions for quo warranto involving elective barangay officials within their respective territorial jurisdiction:

Metropolitan Trial Courts:
	Station/Branch	Name of Judge
	Manila
		2	Hon. Aurora A. Calledo
		10	Hon. Roberto P. Quiroz
		14	Hon. Rosalyn M. Loja
		15	Hon. Sarah Alma Mojica Lim
		17	Hon. Germano Francisco D. Legaspi
		18	Hon. Cristina Javalera-Sulit
		23	Hon. Maria Zoraida Z. Tuazon
		27	Hon. Joel A. Lucasan
	Quezon City
		33	Hon. Alfredo D. Ampuan
		34	Hon. Caridad W. Lutero
		35	Hon. Edgardo B. Bellosillo
		42	Hon. Manuel R. Taro
	Pasay City
		47	Hon. Gina M. Bibat-Palamos
	Kalookan City
		50	Hon. Josephine A. Vito Cruz (APJ)
	Makati City
		61	Hon. Rowena D.J. Quinagoran
		63	Hon. Roberto P. Buenaventura
	Pasig City
		71	Hon. Maria Gracia C. Casaclang
	Mandaluyong City
		59	Hon. Ofelia Lineses Calo
	San Juan
		57	Hon. Marianito C. Santos
	Malabon City
		56	Hon. Edison F. Quintin
	Marikina City
		76	Hon. Liwliwa Hidalgo Bucu
	Parañaque City
		78	Hon. Ramsey Domingo G. Pichay
	Valenzuela City
		81	Hon. Cecilyn Burgos Villavert
Municipal Trial Courts in Cities:
	Station/Branch	Name of Judge
	First Judicial Region
	Baguio City
		2	Hon. Cleto R. Villacorta III
	Dagupan City
		1	Hon. Junius F. Dalaten
	Laoag City
		2	Hon. Jonathan A. Asuncion
	San Fernando City
		2	Hon. Carlito A. Corpuz
	Second Judicial Region
	Tuguegarao City
		2	Hon. Rene B. Baculi
	Santiago City
		1	Hon. Ruben R. Plata
	Third Judicial Region
	Angeles City
		1	Hon. Irineo P. Pangilinan
	Cabanatuan City
		2	Hon. Trese Wenceslao
	City of San Fernando
		3	Hon. Carolina Faustino de Jesus
	City of Meycauayan
		2	Hon. Cecilia S. Talapian
	Malolos City
		2	Hon. Neresio V. Manlangit
	Olongapo City
		4	Hon. Norman V. Pamintuan
	San Jose City
		2	Hon. Maximo B. Ancheta Jr.
	Tarlac City
		2	Hon. Marvin B. Mangino
	Fourth Judicial Region
	Antipolo City
		1	Hon. Antonio Murillo Olivete
	Batangas City
		2	Hon. Eleuterio L. Bathan
	Cavite City
		2	Hon. Manuel D. Noche
	Lipa City
		3	Hon. Grace C. Ty    TCaEIc
	Lucena City
		2	Hon. Romeo L. Villanueva
	San Pablo City
		3	Hon. Dinah Evangeline B. Bandong
	Fifth Judicial Region
	Iriga City
		1	Hon. Lorna O. Reyes
	Legaspi City
		3	Hon. Jose Noel R. Rubio
	Naga City
		2	Hon. Marvel C. Clavecilla
	Sorsogon City
		1	Hon. Nestor M. Hermida
	Sixth Judicial Region
	Bacolod City
		1	Hon. Jose Paolo G. Ariola
		6	Hon. Eliseo C. Geolingo
	Iloilo City
		6	Hon. Rosario Abigail D. Villanueva
		8	Hon. Ma. Theresa E. Gaspar
	Roxas City
		1	Hon. Jeffrey D. Almalbis
	Seventh Judicial Region
	Cebu City
		1	Hon. Monalila S. Tecson
		2	Hon. Anatalio S. Necesario
	Tagbilaran City
		1	Hon. Sisinio C. Virtudazo
	Mandaue City
		2	Hon. Carlos C. Fernando
	Eighth Judicial Region
	Tacloban City
		1	Hon. Sylvia P. Lamoste
	Ninth Judicial Region
	Dipolog City
		2	Hon. Victoriano D. Lacaya, Jr.
	Pagadian City
		2	Hon. Pablito Pielago, Jr.
	Zamboanga City
		1	Hon. Nancy B. Cuaresma
	Tenth Judicial Region
	Butuan City
		1	Hon. Gael P. Paderanga (APJ)
	Cagayan De Oro City
		1	Hon. Cesar A. Merlas
		5	Hon. Isabelo Sabanal
	Ozamis City
		3	Hon. Rico A. Tan
	Oroquieta City
		2	Hon. Nora Batoy Montejo
	Surigao City
		2	Hon. Charina N. Quijano
	Eleventh Judicial Region
	Davao City
		2	Hon. Antonina B. Escovilla
		5	Hon. Daydews D. Villamor
	General Santos City
		3	Hon. Alejandro Ramon C. Alano
	Island Garden City of Samal
		2	Hon. Virgilio G. Murcia
	Twelfth Judicial Region
	Iligan City
		2	Hon. Orlando C. Gallardo
Municipal Trial Courts/Municipal Circuit Trial Courts:
	Station/Branch	Name of Judge
	MTC, Lal-Lo, Cagayan
		2	Hon. Achilles Aristotle C. Bulauitan
	MCTC, Aparri-Calayan, Cagayan
		2	Hon. Marcelo C. Cabalbag (APJ)
	MTC, Guagua, Pampanga
		2	Hon. Eda D. Era
	MTC, Binangonan, Rizal
		2	Hon. Lilia D. Panontongan
	MTC, San Pedro, Laguna
		1	Hon. Lorenza Bordios Paculdo

For purposes of this Administrative Order, the cases referred herein shall be limited to election protests and petitions for quo warranto involving elective barangay officials.

All single-sala first level courts are considered special courts for the above purpose and for this reason shall give priority to these cases in their trial calendars.

The Special Courts herein designated and single sala first level courts shall try and decide the election contests in accordance with the Rules of Procedure in Election Contests Before the Courts Involving Elective Municipal and Barangay Officials.

The Special Courts herein designated shall continue to be included in the raffle of cases, criminal and civil, provided that the Executive Judges of the courts concerned shall exclude the designated Special Courts from such raffle whenever in their judgment the caseload of these courts shall prevent them from conducting the continuous trial of the election contests.

The Branches thus designated as Special Courts shall continue to perform their functions as such within the purview of this Administrative Order even after the retirement, promotion, transfer or detail of the judges appointed/designated to preside over them. Their successors, whether permanent or temporary, shall act as Presiding Judges of these Special Courts unless the Supreme Court otherwise directs. caDTSE

In the event of disqualification/inhibition of the judge of the designated Special Court, the following guidelines shall be observed:

1. Where there is only one (1) Special Court in the station, the pairing system under Circular No. 7 dated September 23, 1974, as amended, shall apply;

2. Where there are two (2) or more Special Courts, the Executive Judge shall immediately assign the case by raffle to the other Special Courts. In case of disqualification/inhibition of all the judges of the Special Courts, the case shall be forwarded to the pairing judge of the Special Court which originally handled the case. If the pairing judge is also disqualified or inhibits himself/herself, the case shall be raffled to the other regular judges;

3. In case of disqualification/inhibition of all the judges in the station, the order of inhibition shall be referred to the Executive Judge/Office of the Court Administrator, as the case may be, who shall then designate another judge to try and decide the case. The judge designated shall try and decide the case in the court of origin; and

4. In case of disqualification/inhibition of the judge in a single branch first level court, the order of inhibition shall be referred to the Executive Judge who shall then designate a judge by raffle to hear and decide the case in the court of origin.

This Administrative Order shall take effect upon issuance.

(SGD.) REYNATO S. PUNOChief Justice

(SGD.) LEONARDO A. QUISUMBINGAssociate JusticeChairperson, Second Division

(SGD.) CONSUELO YNARES-SANTIAGOAssociate JusticeChairperson, Third Division