SC designates more expropriation courts

THE Supreme Court has designated additional Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) as Special Expropriation Courts to ensure the expeditious resolution of expropriation cases involving national railway projects.

Under AM 24-06-65-RTC, the Court designated RTCs in the National Capital Judicial Region and the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 11th Judicial Regions to hear, try and decide expropriation cases involving national railway projects.

The projects include the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway System, Mindanao Railway Project, and Philippine National Railway South Long-Haul Project.

These RTCs designated as Special Expropriation Courts include Branch 129 of Caloocan City, Branch 235 of Makati, Branch 34 of Manila, Branch 206 of Muntinlupa City, Branch 274 of Parañaque City, Branch 114 of Pasay City, Branch 157 of Pasig City, Branch 306 of Quezon City, Branch 153 of Taguig City, and Branch 284 of Valenzuela City.

RTCs in the 3rd Judicial Region are Branch 114 of Angeles City, Pampanga; Branch 48 of San Fernando, Pampanga; Branch 54 of Macabebe, Pampanga; Branch 104 of Malolos City, Bulacan; Branch 120 of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; and Branch 121 of Meycauayan, Bulacan.

The 4th Judicial Region's RTC includes Branch 84 of Batangas City, Batangas; Branch 12 of Lipa City, Batangas; Branch 6 of Tanauan City, Batangas; Branch 29 of San Pablo City, Laguna; Branch 102 of Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Branch 103 of Calamba City, Laguna; Branch 152 of Biñan, Laguna; Branch 170 of San Pedro, Laguna; Branch 63 of Calauag, Quezon; Branch 64 of Mauban, Quezon; and Branch 168 of RTC-Lucena City, Quezon.

Under the 5th Judicial Region, the designated RTCs are Branch 10 of Legazpi City, Albay; Branch 22 of Naga City, Camarines Sur; Branch 31 of Pili, Camarines Sur; Branch 60 of Iriga City, Camarines Sur; and Branch 66 of Sorsogon City, Sorsogon.

The 11th Judicial Region RTCs are Branch 54 of Davao City, Davao del Sur; Branch 4 of Panabo City, Davao del Norte; and Branch 31 of Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

The designated courts were directed to give priority to national railway project expropriation cases in accordance with the requirements under the Right-of-Way Act and