March 20, 2012

EN BANC

A.M. No. 12-3-5-SC

NOTICE

Sirs/Mesdames :

Please take notice that the Court en banc issued a Resolution dated March 20, 2012, which reads as follows: CaDEAT

"A.M. No. 12-3-5-SC (Re: Exempting All Detainees from Payment of Court Clearances Fees as a Pre-Requisite for Their Release). The Court Resolved to NOTE the following letters:

(a) Letter dated March 5, 2012 of Justice Roberto A. Abad, informing the Court that the Committee for the Decongestion of Provincial City and Municipal Jails has received concerns that a great number of detainees whose cases have already been provisionally dismissed by the trial courts are unable to secure their freedom because they could not afford to pay the P125.00 clearance fee and recommending that these court clearances be waived for jail detainees who still could not pay the same after the lapse of ten (10) days from the issuance of the order of release; and

(b) Letter dated March 7, 2012 of Justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr., recommending the amendment of Sections 7 (n) and 8 (o) of

Acting on the aforesaid letters, the Court Resolved to APPROVE the proposed amendment of Sections 7 (n) and 8 (o) of

LEGAL FEES

SEC. 7. Clerks of Regional Trial Courts. . . .

(n) For clearance and certifications issued FIFTY (P50.00) PESOS; provided, however, that such fee shall be automatically waived in favor of detainees who could not pay the same after the lapse of ten (10) days from the issuance of the order for their release.

Section 8. Clerks of Court of the First Level Courts. . . .

(o) For clearance and certifications issued FIFTY (P50.00) PESOS; provided, however, that such fee shall be automatically waived in favor of detainees who could not pay the same after the lapse of ten (10) days from the issuance of the order for their release.

The amendment shall have effect on April 16, 2012, after its publication for two (2) consecutive weeks in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the country." Del Castillo, J., on leave. (adv77) SDEITC

Very truly yours,

(SGD.) ENRIQUETA E. VIDAL
Clerk of Court