AN ACT TO AMEND CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED TWO HUNDRED NINETY-SIX

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 3828

Jurisdiction of Municipal Courts and Justices of the Peace
- Municipal courts and justices of the peace have exclusive original jurisdiction in civil cases where the demand or value does not exceed ₱10,000, excluding interests and costs. (Section 1, Section 7)
- They have original jurisdiction over certain criminal cases, including violations of municipal ordinances, gambling, larceny under ₱200, and offenses punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or ₱3,000 fine. (Section 6)
- In provincial and sub-provincial capitals, they have jurisdiction like the Court of First Instance for offenses punishable by up to 6 years imprisonment or ₱6,000 fine. (Section 6)

Qualifications for Justices of the Peace
- At least 25 years old, Filipino citizen, good moral character, admitted to the Philippine bar, and at least 5 years of legal practice or holding a position requiring admission to the bar. (Section 2)

Court Facilities and Employees
- Justices of the peace shall be provided with a courtroom, office supplies, furniture, and printed laws. (Section 3)
- Municipal courts in cities, provincial and sub-provincial capitals, and first-class municipalities shall have clerks, stenographers, and other necessary employees. (Section 3)
- Other municipalities shall have one clerk-stenographer appointed by the justice of the peace with a salary not exceeding ₱1,440 per annum. (Section 3)

Salaries of Justices of the Peace and Municipal Court Judges
- Salaries range from ₱4,800 to ₱9,600 per annum, depending on the classification of the municipality or province. (Sections 4, 5)
- Justices of the peace designated to act temporarily in other municipalities shall receive an additional 30% of the salary for each additional municipality. (Section 4)

Renaming and Appropriations
- Justices of the peace shall be known as municipal judges, and their courts as municipal courts. (Section 8)
- Funds necessary to carry out the Act shall be appropriated from the National Treasury, and future appropriations shall be included in the annual General Appropriation Acts. (Section 9)