A.M. No. 00-8-01-SC; August 1, 2000
Re: Resolution Designating Certain Branches of the Regional Trial Courts as Special Courts for Drugs Cases

FACTS

The Supreme Court, acting en banc, issued this Resolution to address the pervasive drug menace and the consequent need for expeditious resolution of related criminal cases. Prior to this issuance, drug cases were bifurcated in their assignment; cases with penalties of Reclusion Perpetua to Death were handled by designated heinous crimes courts, while other drug cases were assigned to various specified Regional Trial Court (RTC) branches. This system was deemed insufficient to combat the alarming proliferation of drug-related offenses effectively.
Recognizing that delays in the judicial process exacerbate the drug problem, the Court found a consensus supporting the creation of specialized courts. The Resolution aimed to consolidate and streamline the adjudication of all violations under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended, by designating specific RTC branches as exclusive Special Drugs Courts.

ISSUE

Whether the Supreme Court has the authority to designate specific branches of the Regional Trial Courts as special courts to try all drug cases exclusively, and to establish procedural guidelines for their operation.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court validly exercised its constitutional and statutory administrative powers. The legal foundation is Section 23 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 (The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980), which grants the Supreme Court the authority to assign judges to specific courts or designate them for special duties as the public interest may require. The Court’s power to administer the judiciary inherently includes the capacity to reorganize case assignments and create specialized courts to promote efficiency.
The Resolution designates numerous RTC branches across the National Capital Region and key judicial regions as Special Drugs Courts. Crucially, these courts are vested with jurisdiction over all criminal cases involving violations of the Dangerous Drugs Act, “regardless of the quantity of the drugs involved,” thereby unifying jurisdiction that was previously split. To ensure swift disposition, the Resolution imposes strict guidelines, including mandatory continuous trial with a 60-day termination period, a 30-day period for rendering judgment, and severe restrictions on postponements. It also provides detailed rules for inventorying cases, transferring cases not yet at arraignment, handling judge inhibition, and ensuring equitable case replacement for affected branches. This administrative measure is a valid exercise of judicial power aimed at achieving a speedy and efficient administration of justice in response to a critical public concern.