Professional Practice Architecture Practice Test

Under which law do construction disputes in the Philippines now go to arbitration instead of regular courts?

1. R.A. 9285

2. R.A. 9262

3. R.A. 9858

4. R.A. 9255

The correct answer is: R.A. 9285

The correct choice is R.A. 9285, also known as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 2004. This law was established to promote and facilitate the use of alternative dispute resolution methods, particularly mediation and arbitration, in settling disputes in various sectors, including construction. The act provides the framework for arbitration and recognizes it as a valid means of resolving disputes, effectively steering construction-related disputes away from the often slower and more formal processes of regular courts. The implementation of R.A. 9285 means that parties involved in construction disputes can choose arbitration to resolve their issues more efficiently, capitalizing on arbitration's typically quicker resolutions and more flexible processes. This is particularly important in the construction industry, where timely project completion and cost management are critical. The other options refer to different laws that serve other specific purposes, such as addressing violence against women or criminal cases, but do not pertain to the resolution of construction disputes via arbitration. R.A. 9285 is thus the pivotal legislation that establishes arbitration as the preferred method for resolving these disputes in the Philippines.