SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF SOME COURTS AS SPECIAL COURTS FOR CASES INVOLVING TOURISTS BY THE HONORABLE SUPREME COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, based on the Philippine National Police (PNP) report from January to May 2002, there is an alarming increase in crimes committed particularly those crimes involving tourists;

WHEREAS, hostage taking, kidnapping and robbery incidents nationwide particularly in Metro Manila are mostly committed against foreign and local tourists; 

WHEREAS, to address the aforesaid problems, the PNP launched a project entitled “Project Turista” aimed to protect the tourists in the country; 

WHEREAS, the Honorable Secretary Richard J. Gordon of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in his letter dated May 4, 2001 requested the Honorable Supreme Court of the Philippines for the designation of Special Courts for cases involving tourists; 

WHEREAS, in consonance with the request of the DOT, the Honorable Supreme Court in its resolution en banc dated 7 August 2001 designated some courts as Special Courts for cases involving tourists and ordered that:

“cases involving tourists arising within their respective territorial jurisdictions shall be tried and decided by the (b-1) Executive Judges in multiple sala stations; (b-2) RTC Judges in single sala stations; and (b-3) judges of the first level courts.”

WHEREAS, the Metro Manila Council (Council) in its special session dated 26 June 2002, likewise supported the creation of a Tourist Court that will immediately investigate, hear and decide cases involving tourists in Metropolitan Manila; 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the foregoing premises, the Council strongly supports the Honorable Supreme Court of the Philippines in designating some courts as Special Courts for the speedy administration of justice for cases involving tourists. 

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved as it is hereby resolved, pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7924, that the Council hereby supports the designation of some courts as Special Courts for cases involving tourists by the Honorable Supreme Court of the Republic of the Philippines. 

This Resolution shall take effect upon approval. 

Adopted: 26 June 2002 

                                                                                                                           

(SGD.) BAYANI F. FERNANDO   Chairman
(SGD.) BENJAMIN C. ABALOS, JR.   Mayor, City of Mandaluyong	(SGD.) VERGEL A. AGUILAR   Mayor, City of Las Piñas
(SGD.) JOSE L. ATIENZA, JR.   Mayor, City of Manila	(SGD.) FELICIANO R. BELMONTE, JR.   Mayor, Quezon City
(SGD.) JEJOMAR C. BINAY   Mayor, City of Makati	(SGD.) ROSENDO T. CAPCO   Mayor, City of Pateros
(SGD.) BOBBIT L. CARLOS, M.D.   Mayor, Valenzuela City	(SGD.) JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO   Mayor, San Juan
(SGD.) SOLEDAD C. EUSEBIO   Mayor, Pasig City	(SGD.) MA. LOURDES C. FERNANDO   Mayor, Marikina City
(SGD.) JAIME R. FRESNEDI   Mayor, City of Muntinlupa	(SGD.) REYNALDO O. MALONZO   Mayor, Caloocan City
(SGD.) JOEY P. MARQUEZ   Mayor, Parañaque City	(SGD.) TOBIAS M. TIANGCO   Mayor, Navotas
(SGD.) SIGFRIDO R. TINGA   Mayor, Taguig	(SGD.) WENCESLAO B. TRINIDAD   Mayor, Pasay City
(SGD.) AMADO S. VICENCIO   Mayor, City of Malabon	(SGD.) JESUS C. CRUZ   President   Metro Manila Vice Mayors League
(SGD.) PERPETUO F. CAMILA   President   Metro Manila Councilors League