JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS

JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT

1. ORIGINAL jurisdiction over cases involving ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto and habeas corpus (concurrent with RTC). 2. Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, final judgments of lower courts in: Cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or executive agreement, law, decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance or regulation is in question; Cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty imposed thereto; Cases involving the jurisdiction of lower courts; All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher; All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.

JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS

1. ORIGINAL jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo warranto, and auxiliary writs or processes, whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction (concurrent with SC and RTCs)

2. EXCLUSIVE original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgments of RTCs. 3. EXCLUSIVE appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments, decisions, resolutions, orders or awards of RTCs and quasi-judicial agencies, bodies, or commissions, EXCEPTthose which fall within the appellate jurisdiction of the SC, namely: a. COMELEC; b. Commission on Audit; c. Sandiganbayan.

JURISDICTION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

I. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL A. CIVIL CASES Cases where the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation; Involving the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein, where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds P20,000/ P50,000, EXCEPT actions for forcible entry and unlawful detainer;

All actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds P200,000/P400,000; Probate proceedings, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate P200,000/P400,000; In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations; In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising jurisdiction; In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of the Court of Agrarian Relations as now provided by law; and In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds P200,000/P400,000; B. CRIMINAL CASES All criminal cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, or body EXCEPT those within the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan. N.B. RTC has jurisdiction over criminal cases where the penalty imposable: Exceeds 4 years 2 mos 1 day imprisonment, irrespective of fine Exceeds fine of P4000, if only a fine is imposable Manzano vs. Valera Libel is punishable by prisioncorrecional in its minimum and medium periods. R.A. 7691 places jurisdiction over criminal cases where the penalty is 6 years or less with the MTCs. However, Art. 360 of the RPC gives jurisdiction over libel cases to the RTC. Special law (RPC) must prevail over general laws (RA 7691). Also, from the provisions of R.A. 7691, there is no manifest intent to repeal or alter the jurisdiction in libel cases.

II. ORIGINAL
* Issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions (concurrent with SC and CA). * In actions affecting consuls(concurrent with SC). ambassadors and other public ministers and

* Over offenses committed NOT in relation with public office with imprisonment exceeding 6 years committed by public officers classified as salary grade 27 or higher

* Over election contests for municipal offices. III. APPELLATE All cases decided by the lower courts (MTCs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions. NOTE: no trial de novo; case is decided on the basis of decision and supporting affidavits.

JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURTS (R.A. 8369)

Family Courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and decide the following cases: Criminal cases where: One or more of the accused is below eighteen (18) years of age but not less than nine (9) years of age, OR One or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense. Provided,That if the minor is found guilty, the court shall promulgate sentence and ascertain any civil liability which the accused may have incurred. The sentence, however, shall be suspended without need of application pursuant to the "Child and Youth Welfare Code"; Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to the latter; Petitions for adoption of children and the revocation thereof; Complaints [for]: Annulment of marriage Declaration of nullity of marriage Those relating to marital status and property relations of:

Husband and wife OR

Those living together under different status and agreements, AND Petitions for dissolution of conjugal partnership of gains; Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment; Summary judicial proceedings brought under the provisions of the "Family Code of the Philippines"; Petitions for: Declaration of status of children as

Abandoned Dependent OR Neglected children Voluntary or involuntary commitment of children;

The suspension, termination, or restoration of parental authority and other cases cognizable under "Child and Youth Welfare Code", Executive Order No. 56, (Series of 1986), and other related laws; Petitions for the constitution of the family home; Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended; Violations of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," as amended by Republic Act No. 7658; and Cases of domestic violence against: Women Acts of gender based violence that results, or are likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women; and other forms of physical abuse such as battering or threats and coercion which violate a woman's personhood, integrity and freedom of movement; AND

Children
Includes the commission of all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, violence, and discrimination and all other conditions prejudicial to their development.

If an act constitutes a criminal offense, the accused shall be subject to criminal proceedings and the corresponding penalties.
If any question involving any of the above matters should arise as an incident in any case pending in the regular courts, said incident shall be determined in that court. Decisions and orders of the court shall be appealed in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as appeals from the ordinary Regional Trial Courts.

JURISDICTION OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS THE MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS
A. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL 1. CIVIL CASES

AND

Civil actions and probate proceedings, testate and intestate, including the grant of provisional remedies where the demand, exclusive of interest, damages, attorneys fees and costs, does not exceed P100,000/200,000. Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer; issue of ownership resolved only to determine issue of possession. After lapse of 1 year, MTC loses jurisdiction, and case becomes one for recovery of possession de jure (accionpublicicana), although MTC may still have jurisdiction if value of property does not exceed P20,000/50,000.

Actions involving personal property valued at not more than P100,000/200,000.

Actions involving title or possession of real property where the assessed value does not exceed P20,000/50,000. 2. CRIMINAL CASES

Violations of city or municipal ordinances.

* All offenses punishable with not more than 4 years 2 mos 1 day imprisonment, irrespective of fine. * * All offenses punishable by only a fine of not more than P4,000. Offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence.

3. ELECTION CASES

Offense of failure to register or failure to vote. Election contests for barangay offices. B. DELEGATED JURISDICTION in cadastral and land registration cases covering: 1. Lots where there is no controversy or opposition; OR 2. Contested lots the value of which does not exceed P100,000.
decisions of the MTC in these cases are appealable to the CA

(Jurisdiction of Courts in the Philippines)

Reporter:

Lilibeth L. Mabansag