Establishing Night Courts in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Pasay City and Makati City

January 27, 2011

SUPREME COURT ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 19-11

ESTABLISHING NIGHT COURTS IN THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS OF PASAY CITY AND MAKATI CITY

WHEREAS, the Constitution mandates the speedy disposition of cases of all persons before judicial bodies;

WHEREAS, "the Executive Judges of the Metropolitan Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities of the cities and municipalities comprising Metro Manila . . . may assign all judges to hold night court sessions daily from Monday to Friday and on official holidays and special days;" 1

WHEREAS, in line with the constitutional mandate on the speedy disposition of cases and in the exercise of its power of administrative supervision over all courts, the Supreme Court has ordered (a) the establishment of night courts in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Manila "to try and decide all special cases enumerated in the Rule on Summary Procedure," 2 and (b) the opening of two branches in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Quezon City as night courts to hear "cases involving nighttime apprehensions" and "special cases enumerated in the Rule on Summary Procedure;" 3

WHEREAS, the Court held that the operational guidelines for the assignment of judges and the holding of night court sessions in Manila shall also be applicable to the night courts established in Quezon City; 4 EHSADa

WHEREAS, the Court requires the expeditious disposition of criminal cases involving tourists; 5

WHEREAS, the Honorable Secretary Alberto A. Lim of the Department of Tourism has requested the designation of night courts also in Pasay City and Makati City, in addition to those already existing in Manila City and Quezon City;

WHEREFORE, it is hereby directed that:

1. Night courts similar to those designated in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Manila City and Quezon City be established in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Pasay City and Makati City;

2. The operational guidelines for the assignment of judges and the holding of night court sessions in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Manila 6 be applicable to the night courts in the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Pasay City and Makati City, respectively, except the operating hours, which shall be from four-thirty in the afternoon (4:30 p.m.) until eleven o'clock in the evening (11:00 p.m.); 7

3. The night courts of Pasay City and Makati City be authorized to try and decide cases involving nighttime apprehensions and all special cases enumerated in the Rule on Summary Procedure;

4. The provisions of Administrative Circular No. 58-2002, dated 14 November 2002, requiring an expeditious disposition of criminal cases involving tourists be complied with; and

5. The Executive Judges of the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Pasay City and Makati City (a) inform the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Prosecutor's Office within their respective jurisdictions of the schedule of the branches of the metropolitan trial courts assigned to hold night sessions; and (b) make representations with the PNP and the local government units to ensure that appropriate security measures are adopted to protect the judges and their staff during night sessions.

Immediate compliance with this order is enjoined. IHEAcC

(SGD.) RENATO C. CORONAChief Justice

Footnotes

1.Section 15, A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC (Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and Defining their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties), 27 January 2004.

2.Administrative Order No. 72, 30 June 1988.

3.A.M. No. 90-9-1437-MeTC (Re: Request for the Opening of Two [2] Branches of the Metropolitan Trial Court to Conduct Night Sessions), 2 October 1990.

4.Ibid., see Administrative Order No. 72, 30 June 1988, for the operational guidelines.

5.Administrative Circular No. 58-2002, 14 November 2002.

6.As provided for in Administrative Order No. 72, 30 June 1988.

7.Sec. 15, A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC (Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and Defining their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties), 27 January 2004.