WHEREAS, under Section 190 of the Revised Administrative
Code, the expenses for the maintenance of courts of first instance are
to be borne by the provinces concerned;
WHEREAS, this provision incapacitates cities not expressly
authorized by their charters to do so from extending financial aid to
the courts of first instance within their jurisdictions.
WHEREAS, it is imperative that our courts of first instance
and similar courts in cities be assured of adequate financial support to
enable them to attain optimum performance;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
do hereby decree and order that any provision of law to the contrary
notwithstanding, a city may share in the expenses relating to the
construction, repair and alteration of the courthouse, or courtroom and
court offices, and the cost of the equipment and supplies, of a court of
first instance or similar court within its jurisdiction.
This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 28th day of June, in the year
of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary