In a multi-sala RTC, who may issue a TRO immediately for 72 hours?

• A. The Executive Judge only
• B. Any single judge in Branch 1
• C. The judge assigned to the case
• D. The Supreme Court

Answer: (A)

In a multi-sala RTC, the Executive Judge has supervisory authority over all branches and can issue an ex parte TRO lasting 72 hours to preserve the status quo when immediate relief is needed. This centralized power ensures swift protection across the entire court while the matter is being reviewed or until a longer remedy can be set. A TRO issued by the judge assigned to the case or by a single branch cannot bind the whole multi-sala court, and the Supreme Court does not issue RTC TROs. Thus, the authority to issue such an urgent 72-hour TRO lies with the Executive Judge.