MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday designated additional courts to assist Taguig City courts after the transfer of 10 barangays from Makati City to its jurisdiction.
In a resolution, the tribunal said that pending the creation of additional Taguig City courts, it has designated seven Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) and four Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs) of Makati to assist courts in Taguig City.
The following courts have been designated as assisting courts:
--Branch 136, Judge Rico Sebastian D. Liwanag (Family Court);
--Branch 144, Judge Liza Marie R. Picardal-Tecson (Family Court);
--Branch 147, Judge Karla Regina D. Valera-Chua (Special Commercial Court);
--Branch 63, Judge Jacob M. Montesa II (Drugs Court);
--Branch 145, Judge Karen A. Matti-Sy;
--Branch 65, Judge Veronica B. Tongio-Igot (Drugs Court); and
--Branch 134, Judge Redentor Dela Cruz Cardenas
The following MeTCs were similarly designated:
--Branch 61, Judge Xavier Paolo R. Del Castillo;
--Branch 66, Judge Niño Delvin E. Embuscado;
--Branch 128, Judge Maureen L. Rubio Marquez; and
--Branch 129, Judge Alexius P. Tang
The SC added that the caption of the newly filed cases must include the identities of both the Taguig City and Makati City courts.
In November 2023, the SC issued guidelines governing the transfer and assumption of jurisdiction of the Taguig City courts over cases and crimes committed within Parcels 3 and 4 of the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation in response to an earlier request by Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano for the transfer of jurisdiction.
Under the guidelines, all civil and criminal cases arising from the affected areas shall be filed before the Taguig Prosecutor's Office by 2024.
Criminal complaints related to crimes and offenses that transpired or were committed within the affected areas before Jan. 1, 2024, shall be filed before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.
All civil and criminal cases already filed and pending before the first- and second-level courts in Makati City before Jan. 1, 2024, shall proceed to trial, be heard, and ultimately be decided by the respective Makati City courts.
The High Court enjoined all parties, including judges, court personnel, prosecutors, public attorneys, legal practitioners, and the general public, to review and adhere to the guidelines to facilitate a smooth and orderly transition. (PNA)
