[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 112-2005, October 25, 2005 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 112-2005, October 25, 2005 ]

[ OCA CIRCULAR NO. 112-2005, October 25, 2005 ]

TO:

ALL EXECUTIVE JUDGES AND PRESIDING JUDGES OF SPECIAL COURTS FOR DRUGS CASES

SUBJECT:

GUIDELINES TO BE OBSERVED BY THE EXECUTIVE JUDGES AND PRESIDING JUDGES OF SPECIAL COURTS FOR DRUGS CASES

The Supreme court En Banc in its Resolution dated 11 October 2005, in A. M. No. 05-9-03-SC, RE: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION ON WHETHER DRUGS COURTS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE REGULAR RAFFLE , provided the following guidelines to be observed by the Executive Judges by the Executive Judges and Presiding Judges of special courts for drug cases to wit:

Pursuant to Section 90 of RA 9165, only courts designated by the Court as a special court for drug cases can take cognizance of violation of RA 9165.

Drug courts shall strictly adhere to the periods imposed on term under Section 90 of RA 9165. Trial of all drug cases assigned to them shall be terminated within 60 days from the filling of the information. Decisions on these cases shall be rendered within 15 days deom the date of submission of the case of resolution.

While special courts for drug cases are not prohibited from hearing non-drug related cases. Executive Judges shall continue to exempt them from the regular raffle, i.e., from the raffle of cases which do not involve violations of RA 9165, until further orders from this court.

If, in the opinion of the Executive Judges, the caseload of certain drug courts allows their inclusion in the regular raffle without adversely affecting their ability to expeditiously resolve the drug cases assigned to them and their inclusion in the regular raffle becomes necessary to decongest the caseload of other branches, the concerned Executive Judges shall recommend to this Court the inclusion of drug courts in their jurisdiction in the regular raffle. The concerned drug courts shall remain exempt from the regular raffle until the recommendation is approved.

The guidelines provided under A. M. No. 00-08-01-SC shall continue to remain in force and effect insofar as they are not inconsistent with this resolution.

For information and guidance of all concerned.

__ 25_ _ October 2005.

PRESBITERO J. VELASCO, JR.

Court Administrator