[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 44-2003, September 11, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 44-2003, September 11, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 44-2003, September 11, 2003 ]

DIRECTING ALL OFFICES UNDER THE SUPREME COURT, THE COURT OF APPEALS, AND THE SANDIGANBAYAN HOLD THEIR TRAININGS, SEMINARS, CONVENTIONS, OR WORKSHOPS AT THE PHILIPPINE JUDICIAL ACADEMY (PHILJA) DEVELOPMENT CENTER, TAGAYTAY CITY, WHENEVER FEASIBLE

WHEREAS, to assist the Court in fulfilling its need for facilities in establishing a Judicial Academy, the Human Settlements and Development Corporation, pursuant to the authority issued by then President Fidel V. Ramos, executed a Deed of Assignment dated 19 July 1995 assigning to the Supreme Court its majority shares of stock in the Ridge Sports and Country Club Corporation (RSCCC), which owns the Ridge Resort and Convention Center in Tagaytay City;

WHEREAS, on 19 February 2002, considering that the operations of the RSCCC as a commercial establishment resulted in a total loss, the Court En Banc issued in Administrative Matter No. 95-8-08-SC - "Re: Establishment of the Philippine Judicial Academy," a Resolution approving the cessation of operations of the RSCCC as a resort and convention center or as a business concern;

WHEREAS, the same Resolution directed that the operation of the RSCCC shall continue only in pursuit of the purposes of judicial education as administered by the PHILJA in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement with the government;

WHEREAS, on 18 June 2003, during its Annual Stockholders Meeting, the stockholders of RSCCC, by a 2/3 vote, ratified the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation changing the corporate name to Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) Development Center, Inc., and the primary purpose of the corporation to "construct, own, build, operate, conduct, and carry on a convention and seminar center primarily to conduct judicial and legal education and training";

WHEREAS, the income of the PHILJA Development Center, primarily generated from PHILJA activities in pursuit of its mandate to conduct judicial and legal education programs, can support only minor operating expenses of the property, but not major repairs and maintenance which are for the moment still being advanced by the Court;

WHEREAS, if all offices of the Supreme Court, including the Office of the Court Administrator, the Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan involved in trainings, workshops, seminars, or conferences would hold such activities at the Center, the PHILJA Development Center may derive additional income and, at the same time, the said offices would incur less expenses for such activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, in order to promote and enhance the PHILJA Development Center's self-sustainability and development, and, at the same time, to bring about savings in the Judiciary, all offices in the Supreme Court, including the Office of the Court Administrator, the Court of Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan involved in trainings, workshops, seminars, or conferences are hereby enjoined to hold such activities at the PHILJA Development Center, Tagaytay City, whenever feasible.

These offices must always notify the Center, c/o Office of the Chancellor, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura Street, Manila, of any scheduled training, workshop, seminar, or conference. In case the activity is to be held in another venue, the office concerned should give the reason why it would not be feasible to hold such activity at the Center.

This Memorandum Circular shall take effect upon its issuance.

Issued this 11th day of September 2003.

(Sgd.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE, Jr.

Chief Justice