LUPON HEARING

Brgy. Case No.:159-17

ZONE 3, STA. CRUZ, DAVAO DEL SUR
Date of Hearing January 22, 2018
Lupon Tagapamayapa : Mr. Aguilar
Ms. Gerona
Ms. Carino

Parties:Complainant:J. R. Rosal
Respondent:C. Semilla

For: Mauling Incident

Facts:

Respondent Semilla was a close friend and neighbor of complainant’s

family. However,respondent had a conflict with complainant’s father
which lead to lodging of a case before the barangay. On one
occasion, complainant and respondent had an altercation in relation
to the case filed by respondent against the former’s father
which lead into heated arguments and caused the respondent to
punch complainant. Consequently, the complainant counter-punched
the respondent. Both secured their respective medical
certificate. Complainant had the incident lodged before
the barangay.

The barangay chairman referred the case to BJA (Barangay Justice

Advocate) Unit . However, the settlement before the BJAU failed,
hence, the case was referred back to the Barangay Chairman for
mediation, which the same served futile, therefore the case was
referred to the Brgy. Luponfor Conciliation.

On the first scheduled hearing (Jan. 08, 2018), the parties failed to
arrive a settlement. However, they were given reasonable time to
settle their dispute and the case was scheduled to continue hearing
on January 22, 2018.
On the scheduled 2 hearing, the LuponTagapamayapa assigned to
nd

hear the case were able to convince the parties to put an end of their
conflict leading to an execution of a compromise agreement by the
said parties.

OBSERVATION

Brgy. Zone 3, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur adopted a non-formal method
of settling disputes among its constituents
(BJA). The BarangayJustice Advocate (BJA) system is a method
introduced by group of students and professionals of esteemed
universities in the country. BJA system is composed of volunteers as
justice advocates. They provide informal method of settling disputes
through an arm’s length or face-to-face mediation. The system sets
no procedure and formalities such as maintenance of records but it
aimed to the peaceful, more convenient and early settling of conflicts
before the same is formally entertained before the barangay.

Absent of any formalities such as records, minutes, and other forms

to be filled up and other requisites to be complied and procedures to
be followed, the BJA system allows free-flow of conversation among
the parties to fully express their concerns and sentiments with each
other.

Whenever the parties’ settlement is not reached, the case is referred

to the barangay for a formal filing of the case. T he period of 15
days for the Brgy. Captain to hold hearing (mediation)over the case
is strictly observed . Whenever mediation failed, the case is referred
to the Lupon for conciliation, the same strict observance of
conciliation period is applied. In both levels of settling the dispute,
there is an exhaustion of ways and methods applied by
the Brgy. Chairman and the Lupon Members to settle the case.
Through the BJA system applied and the efforts of
the Brgy. Chairman and Lupon Members, Brgy. Zone 3, had at least
Ninety-eight (98%) percent of success rate of settling the disputes
lodged before it and the remaining percentage were either abandoned
by the parties or filed before the regular court.