Partylist Representatives Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe of AKO Bicol want the jurisdiction of the Lupon ng Barangay in amicably settling cases be expanded to help declog court dockets and speed up the administration of justice.

Co and Batocabe have proposed under House Bill 4514 that the coverage of cases for settlement under the Katarungang Pambarangay law be widened to include offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six years  or a fine of up to P100,000.

Under the existing law,  barangay courts cover only offenses punishable by prison terms not exceeding one year or a fine of P5,000.

"Considered as a basic tenet of constitutional law, the right to a speedy administration of justice shall be given prime importance," said Co and Batocabe in filing HB 4514.


The two lawmakers are partylist allies of the National Unity Party (NUP) under the Coalition for Peace and Development.

"Although this novel approach of settling certain cases at the barangay level has gained ground, recent statistics of the number of cases reaching the court system still is at an alarming level," they noted.



Their bill seeks to amend Section 408 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code.

HB 4514 also states that  the Lupon of each barangay shall have authority to bring together the parties actually residing in the same province (instead of city or municipality under the present law) for amicable settlement of all disputes covered by the proposed law.



The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Local Government for appropriate action after the opening of Congress’ second regular session on July 28.