1. Venue is jurisdictional in criminal cases.

See Isip vs. People (26 June 2007)

- WON the RTC had jurisdiction over estafa charged in RTC Cavite.
- SC: place where crime is committed determines the venue of the
action.
For J to be acquired the offense should have been committed or any
of its essential ingredients
Territorial jurisdiction territory court can take cognizance..
Q: what if during trial, prosecution/defense adduces evidence that
crime was committed somewhere else?
Check the specific averments in the Information
court should dismiss the action for want of jurisdiction

2. LBP vs. Delista, June 26, 2009

Q: which court has J over criminal violation of RA 6657 (CARL)?
RTC sitting as a special agrarian court (SAC) will hae J over
criminal offenses under CARL.
3. Q: may the MTC issue a hold-departure order?
Mondejar vs. Buban, July 12, 2001
-

NO. First level courts have no authority to issue hold-departure

orders in Criminal cases.
Power is with the RTC

4. Q: how to determine jurisdiction of the court?

by examining specific allegations in the Info/Complaint.
See Foz vs. People of the Phil (9 Oct 2009)
-

Libel case filed against a physician in Iloilo City.

Info shows that the residence of the accused was not
specifically stated in the Info itself

5. Exception: Tijam vs. Sibonghanoy

- barred by laches
- issue of questioning jurisdiction was made only during appeal.
6. Libel,

private indiv province/city where libelous article was

printed/published
OR where you are residing at the time of the offense.
Internet libel residence or where first published
considerable circulation IS NOT the area where the article was
printed or first published.
7. 25 Aug 2009, People vs. Sandiganbayan
- Victoria Amante, malversation of public funds, SG 26
- Filed with Sandiganbayan
Sec. 4B other offenses in relation to their office
she is a public official mentioned in section a. Even if offense not
listed, the case is within the J of SB because of Section 4B
8. Serrana vs. SB, Jan 22, 2008
- mere govt scholar accused of swindling
- letter G: state universities specifically required
9. Esquivel (sept 17, 2002)
- Antonio Prospero Esquivel
- mayor mauled a police officer
SC: municipal mayors falls under the original