Republic Act No. 859

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1

The last paragraph of section forty-nine of Republic Act Numbered Two hundred ninety-six, entitled "The Judiciary Act of nineteen hundred and forty-eight", is amended to read as follows:

"The Sixteenth Judicial District, of the Province of Davao, the City of Davao, the Provinces of Cotabato and Occidental Misamis, the Provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga City, Basilan City, and the Province of Sulu."

Section 2

The last paragraph of section fifty of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"Four judges shall be commissioned for the Sixteenth Judicial District. One judge shall preside over the Court of First Instance of Davao; one judge shall preside over the Court of First Instance of Cotabato; one judge shall Preside over the Courts of First Instance of Occidental Misamis, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur except the municipalities of Ipil, Kabasalan, Alicia, Margosatubig, Malangas and Siocon, and one judge shall preside over the Court of First Instance of Zamboanga City, Basilan City, the municipalities of lpil, Kabasalan, Alicia, Margosatubig, Malangas, Siocon in the former province of Zamboanga, and Sulu."

Section 3

The penultimate paragraph of section fifty-four of the same Act is amended to read as follows:

"Sixteenth Judicial District: At Dipolog, Province of Zamboanga del Norte terms of court shall be held at least three times a year on dates to be fixed by the district judge; at Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur at least twice a year; at Isabela, City of Basilan, at least twice a year on dates to be fixed by the district judge; at Jolo Province of Sulu, terms of court shall be hold at least four times a year on dates to be fixed by the district judge; at Baganga and Mati, Province of Davao; and at Glan, Province of Cotabato, terms of court shall be held at least once a year on dates to be fixed by the district judge."

Section 4

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, June 16, 1953.