DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL STABILITY: Should one branch be permitted to equally assert,

assume, or retain jurisdiction over a case in controversy over which another coordinate
or co-equal branch has already assumed jurisdiction, then that would be sanctioning
undue interference by one branch over another. With that, judicial stability would be
meaningless precept in a well-ordered administration of justice [Parcon vs. CA, 111
SCRA 262].
JURISDICTION OF METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL
CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS:
1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances
committed within their respective territorial jurisdiction; and
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses punishable with imprisonment not
exceeding six (6) years irrespective of the amount of fine, and regardless of other
imposable accessory or other penalties, including the civil liability arising from
such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of the kind, nature, value or
amount therof; provided, however, that in offenses involving damage to
property through criminal negligence, they shall have exclusive original
jurisdiction thereof. [Sec. 2, RA 7691].
JURISDICTION OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (RTC):
1. In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary
estimation;
2. In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any
interest therein, where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds
P20,000, or for civil actions in Metro Manila where such value exceeds P50,000
except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings,
original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the MeTC, MTC, and MCTC;
3. In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim
exceeds P200,00, or in Metro Manila where such demand or claim exceeds
P400,00;
4. In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the
estate exceeds P200,00 or probate mattes in Metro Manila where such value
exceeds P400,000;
5. In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations;
6. In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or
body exercising juridicial or quasi-judicial functions;
7. In all civil actions and civil 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
8. In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest and damages of
whatever kind, attorneys fees, litigation expenses, and cost or the value of the
property in controversy exceeds P200,000, or in such other cases in Metro Manila
where the demand, exclusive of the above-mentioned items exceeds P400,000.
JURISDICTION OF COURT OF APPEALS (CA):
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;
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, instrumentalities, boards,
or omissions, except those falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court in accordance with the Constitution, the provisions of the Judiciary Act of
1948;
4. The CA shall have the power to receive evidence and perform any and all acts
necessary to resolve factual issues raised in (a) cases falling within its original
jurisdiction, such as actions for annulment of judgments of RTCs, (b) cases falling
within its appellate jurisdiction where a motion for new trial based only on newly
discovered evidence is granted by it.
JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT (SC):
1. Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and other
petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas
corpus.
2. All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive
agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the SC en banc, and all other cases
which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc, including
those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential
decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations,
shall be decided with the concurrence of the majority of the Members who
actually took part in the deliberation on the issues in the case and voted
thereon;
3. Cases on matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the
concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the
deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no case,
without the concurrence of at least three of such Members.
4. The Supreme Court has the power to:
(a) exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, and habeas corpus;
(b) review, revise, reverse, modify, of affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the
Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in:
(1) all cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or
executive agreement, law presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction,
ordinance, or regulations is in question;
(2) all cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty
imposed in relation thereto;
(3) all cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue;
(4) all criminal cases in which the penalty imposed in reclusive perpetua or higher;
(5) all cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.
CLASSES OF JURISDICTION:
General power to adjudicate all controversies except those expressly withheld
from the plenary powers of the court.
Special or Limited restricts the courts jurisdiction only to particular cases and
subject to such limitations as may be provided by the governing law.
Original power of the court to take judicial cognizance of a case instituted for
judicial action for the first time under conditions provided by law.
Appellate authority of a court higher in rank to re-examine the final order or
judgment of a lower court which tried the case now elevated for judicial review.
Exclusive power to adjudicate a case or proceeding to the exclusion of all other
courts at that stage.
Concurrence/Confluent/Coordinate power conferred upon different courts,
whether of the same or different ranks, to take cognizance at the same stage of
the same case in the same or different judicial territories.