Effectivity of Republic Act No. 11576

August 20, 2021

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 115-2021

 

With its publication on 6 August 2021 in the Manila Bulletin and the BusinessMirror, two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11576, entitled An Act Further Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Amending for the purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980," as amended, takes effect on 21 August 2021, pursuant to Sec. 7 thereof.

Consistent with the usual practice, those cases now falling within the jurisdiction of the first level courts pursuant to R.A. 11576, though filed with the second level courts prior to its effectivity but no Pre-Trial Order has yet been issued, shall be remanded to and heard by the first level courts. They shall be transmitted to the Clerks of Court of the Office of the Clerk of Court for raffle among the first level courts in multi-sala stations, or the Branch Clerks of Court for single sala first level courts. The docket fees already paid in cases initially filed with the second level courts shall be considered sufficient payment of docket fees in the first level courts.

Accordingly, the second level courts shall turn over to the concerned first level courts the records of the subject cases, together with the legal fees form or the certified true copies of the related official receipts.

For the guidance and compliance of all concerned. aScITE

(SGD.) JOSE MIDAS P. MARQUEZCourt Administrator