Court Jurisdiction
1
A. Original Jurisdiction – the power of the court to take judicial cognizance of a case
instituted for judicial action for the first time under the conditions provided by law.
a. Supreme Court (Sec. 5 (1), Art. 8 of the 1987 Constitution)
1. Actions involving ambassadors, public ministers and
consuls;
2. Over petition for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, habeas corpus.
3. Petitions for writ Amparo
4. Petition for habeas data
5. Petition writ of continuing mandamus (Sec. 2, Rule 8, Part
3 of the Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases)
6. Petition for writ of Kalikasan (Sec. 12, Rule 7, Part 3 of the
Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases)
b. Court of Appeals (Sec. 9 of BP 129 or the Judiciary Reorganization Act of
1980)
1. Petition for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, habeas corpus.
2. Writ of Amparo (AM no. 07-9-12-SC)
3. Habeas Data (AM no. 08-1-16-SC)
4. Writ of Continuing Mandamus (Sec. 2, Rule 8, Part 3 of
the Rules of Procedure in Environmental Cases)
5. Writ of Kalikasan (Sec. 12, Rule 7, Part 3 of the Rules of
Procedure in Environmental Cases)
6. Actions for annulment of judgment of the RTC
7. Petition for freeze order on any monetary instrument,
property or proceeds relating to or involving any unlawful
activity as defined under Sec. 3(j) of RA. 9160.
c. Regional Trial Court (Sec. 21 of BP. 129)
1. Actions involving ambassadors, public ministers and
consuls
2. Over petition for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, habeas corpus.
3. Petitions for writ Amparo
4. Petition for habeas data
5. Petition writ of continuing mandamus
d. Shari’ah District Court (Art. 413, par. 2 of PD 1083 or the The Code of Muslim
Personal Laws of the Philippines)
1. Petition by the Muslims for the constitution of a family
home, change of name and commitment of an insane
person to an asylum
2. All other personal or real actions not mentioned in par.
(d) wherein the parties are Muslims except those for
forcible entry and unlawful detainer, which shall fall
under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the MTC.
3. All special civil actions for interpleader or declaratory
relief wherein the parties are Muslims or the properties
involve belong exclusively to Muslims.
B. Exclusive – the power to adjudicate a case or proceeding to the exclusion of all other
courts at that stage
C. Exclusive and Original – the power of the court to take judicial cognizance of a case
instituted for judicial action for the first time under the conditions provided by law,
and to the exclusion of all other courts.
a. Supreme Court
i. SC has exclusive original jurisdiction over petition for certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against judgment, final order and
resolutions of the ffg:
1. CA
2. Sandiganbayan
3. CTA
4. COMELEC
5. COA
6. Ombudsman in Criminal cases
b. Court of Appeals
i. CA shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over petition for
certiorari, prohibition or mandamus against:
1. Decisions, final orders and resolution of the RTC.
2. Decisions, final orders and resolutions of the NLRC
3. Decisions, final orders of the SoLE in the exercise of is
appellate jurisdiction
ii. Over actions for annulment of judgments of RTC
c. Sandiganbayan
i. Sandiganbayan has exclusive and original jurisdiction over civil
cases for the forfeiture of illegally acquired wealth under RA 1379.
(Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.)
Civil Forfeiture (RA 1379) Plunder
- All the court needs to determine, by - What is sought to be established is the
preponderance of evidence, is the commission of the criminal acts in furtherance
disproportion of respondent’s of the acquisition of ill-gotten wealth
properties to his legitimate income.
- Civil in nature - Criminal in nature
- Quantum of evidence- - Quantum of evidence- guilt beyond
preponderance of evidence reasonable doubt
- The forfeitable nature of the - When a criminal case based on
properties does not proceed from a demurrer to evidence is dismissed,
determination of a specific overt act the dismissal is equivalent to an
committed by the respondent public acquittal.
officer leading to the acquisition of
the illegal wealth.
d. Court of Tax Appeals (RA 9282 ‘An Act Expanding the Jurisdiction of CTA”)
1. CTA has exclusive original jurisdiction in tax collection
cases involving final and executory assessments for taxes,
fees, charges and penalties. Provided, however, that
collection cases where the principal amount of taxes and
fees, exclusive of charges and penalties, claimed is less
than 1million pesos shall be tried by the proper MTC,
MCTC and RTC.
e. Regional Trial Court
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 Twenty
Thousand Pesos (P20,00.00) or for civil actions in Metro
Manila, where such value exceeds fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and
unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original
jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the
metropolitan trial courts, municipal trial courts, and
municipal circuit trial courts,
3. In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where
the demand or claim exceeds one hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00) or, in metro manila, where such
demand or claim exceed two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00),
4. In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate,
where the gross value of the estate exceeds one hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00),
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 jurisdiction of
any court, tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or
quasi-judicial functions;
7. In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within
the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenille 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, damages of whatever kind, attorney’s fees,
litigation expenses, and costs or the value of the property
in controversy exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in such other cases in Metro Manila,
where the demand, exclusive of the above mentioned
items exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00).” (As amemnded by R.A. No.7691)
Other cases falling under the exclusive and original jurisdiction of the RTC
i. Over cases involving intra-corporate controversies under the
provisions of Sec. 5.2of the SEC.
ii. A branch of RTC designated as a Special Agrarian Court for a
province has the original and exclusive jurisdiction over all
petitions for the determination of just compensation in that
province.
iii. Cases under the Rules on Alternative Dispute Resolution
iv. RTC acting as Family Court has exclusive original jurisdiction
over:
1. Petitions for guardianship, custody of minor, habeas
corpus in relation to minor.
2. Petition for custody of minor, habeas corpus in relation
to the latter.
3. Petition for adoption of children and revocation of
adoption
4. Complaints for annulment of marriage and declaration of
nullity and those relating to marital status and property
relations of husband and wife or those living together
under different status and agreements, and dissolution of
conjugal partnership of gains.
5. Petition for support and/or acknowledgement
6. Summary Judicial Proceedings brought under the
provisions of EO 209 “Family Code of the Philippines”.
*To determine whether or not capable of pecuniary estimation, the court has adopted the
criterion of:
1. Ascertain the nature of the principal action or remedy sought.
- if primarily for the recovery of a sum of money, it is capable of pecuniary estimation;
determination of jurisdiction depends on the amount of claim.
- if money claim is purely incidental or a consequence of the principal sought, not
capable of pecuniary estimation; falls under RTC.
*Examples of actions subject is incapable of pecuniary estimation:
1. An action for specific performance --- An action for specific performance OR damages, being
one in the alternative, to determine jurisdiction one must refer to the amount of damages
sought for. If the amount of damages claimed falls w/in the jurisdiction of the MTC, then said
court has jurisdiction. Otherwise, the RTC has jurisdiction. But an action for specific performance
alone or an action for specific performance AND damages shall be filed w/ the RTC.
2. Action for declaratory relief ----subject matter is to determine any question of construction or
validity arising, and for a declaration of his rights or duties.
3. Action for reformation of instrument – subject matter is the right of the party to ask for the
changing, adding of the terms and condition in the written instrument since their true intention
is not reflected therein
4. Action for support --- subject of the litigation is the right of the applicant to ask for support.
5. Petition for consolidation of ownership in the vendee by virtue of the failure of the vendor to
comply with the provisions of Art. 1616.
6. Complaint for expropriation
f. Shari’ah District Courts (Art. 413 of PD 1083 “The Code of Muslim Personal
Laws of the Philippines”
i.All cases involving custody, guardianship, legitimacy, paternity and
filiation arising under this code;
ii. All cases involving disposition and settlement of the estate of
deceased Muslims, probate of the wills, issuance of letters
administration or appointment of administrator or executors
regardless of the nature or the aggregate value of the property;
iii. Petitions for declaration of absence and death and for the
cancellation or correction of entries in the Muslim Registries
mentioned in Title VI of Book Two of this Code;
iv. All actions arising from customary contracts in which the parties
are Muslims, if they have not specified which law shall govern their
relations; and
v. All petitions for mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari,
habeas corpus, and other auxiliary writs and processes in aid of its
appellate jurisdiction.
g. Municipal trial Courts
i. Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate
proceedings, testate and intestate, including the grant of
provisional remedies in proper cases, where the value of the
personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not
exceed P 300,000 or, in Metro Manila where such personal
property, estate, or amount of the demand does not exceed
P400,000 exclusive of interest damages of whatever kind,
attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, and costs, the amount of which
must be specifically alleged: Provided, That where there are several
claims or causes of action between the same or different parties,
embodied in the same complaint, the amount of the demand shall
be the totality of the claims in all the causes of action. Irrespective
of whatever the causes of action arose out of the same or different
transactions;
ii. Admiralty and maritime cases where the demand or claim doesn’t
exceed P 300,000 or in Metro Manila, where such demand doesn’t
exceed P 400,000. Where there are several claims or causes of
action between the same or different parties, embodied in the
same complaint, the amount of the demand shall be the totality of
the claims in all cases in all the causes of action irrespective of
whether the causes of action arose out of the same or different
transactions
iii. Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and
unlawful detainer: Provided, That when, in such cases, the
defendant raises the question of ownership in his pleadings and
defendant raises the question of ownership in his pleadings and
the question of possession cannot be resolved only to determine
the issue of possession.
iv. Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve title
to, or possession of real property, or any interest therein where the
assessed value of the property or interest therein does not exceed
Twenty thousand pesos (P 20,000.00) or, in civil actions in Metro
Manila, where such assessed value does not exceed Fifty thousand
pesos (P 50,000.00) exclusive of interest, damages of whatever
kind, attorney’s fee, litigation expenses and costs: Provided, That
value of such property shall be determined by the assessed value
of the adjacent lots.
1. Recovery of ownership of land-assessed value
2. Over reconveyance of real property, removal of cloud in a
title of property, cancellation of title of real property
depending on the assessed value.
3. Over accion publiciana depending on the assessed value:
Not summary proceeding
4. Over accion reinvidicatoria depending on assessed value
v. Inclusion and exclusion of voters.
vi. Cases on Rules on Summary of Procedure
1. All cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer,
irrespective of the amount of damages or unpaid rentals
 sought to be recovered. Where attorney’s fees are
awarded, the same shall not exceed P20,000.
2. All other cases, except probate proceeding, where the
total amount of plaintiff’s claim does not exceed
P100,000 or P200,000 in Metropolitan Manila, exclusive
of interest and costs.
vii. Small Claims cases – payment of money where the value of the
claim does not exceed P200,000 exclusive of cost and interest.
h. Shari’ah Circuit Court (Art. 155 of PD 1083)
i. All civil actions and proceeding between parties who are Muslims
or have been married in accordance with Art. 13 involving disputes
relating to:
1. Marriage
2. Divorce recognized under this Code
3. Betrothal or breach of contract of marriage
4. Customary dower (mahr)
5. Disposition and distribution of property upon divorce
6. Maintenance and support, and cosolatary gifts
7. Restitution of marital gifts
ii. All cases involving disputes relative to communal properties.
D. Appellate – the power and authority conferred upon a superior court to rehear and
determine causes which have been tried in lower courts.
a. Supreme Court
i. Sec. 5 (2), Art. 8 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the power if
the Supreme Court to review cases decided by the lower courts. It
states that:
1. Review, revise, reverse, modify or affirm on appeal or
certiorari, as the law or the Rules of Court may provide,
final judgments and orders of lower courts in:
a. All cases in which the constitutionality or
validity of any treaty, international or executive
agreement, law, presidential decree,
[proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or
regulation is in question.
b. All cases involving the legality of any tax,
impost, assessment or toll or any penalty
impose in relation thereto
c. All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower
court is in issue.
d. All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed
is reclusion perpetua or higher
e. All cases in which only an error or question of
law is involved.
ii. Sec. 4 (2), Art. 8 of the 1987 Constitution provides for the cases
which shall be decided by the SC En Banc. It states that:
1. All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty,
international or executive agreement, or law
2. 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 and other regulations, shall be decided 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.
iii. SC has appellate jurisdiction over judgment, final orders and
resolutions of the following courts:
1. CA under rule 45
2. Sandiganbayan under PD 1606 as amended by RA 7975,
RA 8249 and RA 10660 in relation to Rule 45.
3. CTA en banc pursuant to RA 9282 in relation to rule 45
4. RTC under rule 45
5. CA, Sandiganbayan, RTC in petition for writ of Amparo
6. CA, Sandiganbayan, RTC in a petition for habeas data
7. CA in case of petition for writ of kalikasan
8. CA and RTC in a petition for continuing mandamus
 Question of law – exists when there is doubt or controversy as to what law is on a
certain state of facts.
 Question of fact – exist when the doubt or controversy arises as to the truth or falsity
of the alleged facts.
b. Court of Appeals
i. CA shall exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over judgments,
resolutions, orders or awards of the following courts or tribunal
1. RTC in the exercise of its original jurisdiction (under rule
41)
2. RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction (under rule
42)
3. Quasi-judicial bodies in the exercise of its quasi-judicial
functions (under rule 43)
a. CSC, SEC, OP, LRA, SSS, CAB, BPTTT, NEA, ERB,
NTC, DAR, GSIS, ECC, AIB, IC, PAEA, BOI, CIAC,
VA, Decision of the Ombudsman in
administrative cases.
 4. MTC/MeTC, MCTC based on their delegated jurisdiction
in cadastral and land registration cases
5. Decision of the Shari’ah District Courts in the absence of
station of the Shari’ah Appellate Courts
6. All decisions and final orders rendered by the RTC in case
of violation of IPC under Rule 43
ii. CA shall exercise exclusive and original jurisdiction in performing
actions to wit:
1. Try cases and conduct hearings
2. Receive evidence
3. Perform any and all acts necessary to resolve factual
issues raised in cases falling within its original and
appellate jurisdiction, including the power to grant and
conduct new trials or further proceedings.
c. Sandiganbayan
i. Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over
final judgment, resolutions, or orders of RTC whether in the
exercise of their own original jurisdiction or their appellate
jurisdiction.
d. Court of Tax Appeals
i. CTA has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over the ffg., to wit:
1. Decision of the CIR in cases involving disputed
assessments and refund…
2. Inaction of the Comm. of Internal Revenue in cases
involving disputed assessment and refund…
3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the RTC in local tax
cases
4. Decision of the Comm. of Customs in cases involving
liability of custom duties, fees or other money charges,
seizure, detention or release of property affected, fines,
forfeitures or other penalties in relation thereto
5. Decisions of CBAA in the exercise of its appellate
jurisdiction over the assessment and taxation of real
property
6. Decisions of Sec. of Finance on custom cases elevated to
him automatically
7. Decisions of Sec. of Trade and Industry in the case of non-
agricultural product, commodity or article and the Sec. of
Agriculture in the cases of agricultural product,
commodity or article
ii. CTA en banc has exclusive appellate jurisdiction over:
1.
e. RTC
i. Sec. 22 of BP 129, provides for the power of the RTC to review
judgment, final orders of the MTC, MeTC, MCTC.
E. Concurrent Jurisdiction
a. Supreme Court and RTC have concurrent jurisdiction over civil actions
involving ambassadors, public ministers and consuls.
b. SC, CA, Sandiganbayan and RTC have concurrent jurisdictions over petitions
for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus, writ of
Amparo, habeas data and writ of Kalikasan and injunction.
 The concurrence of jurisdiction, however, does not grant the party seeking any of the
extraordinary writs the absolute freedom to file a petition in any court of his choice.
Judicial Hierarchy (Doctrine of Hierarchy of Courts) most certainly indicates that
petitions for issuance of extraordinary writs against first level courts should be filed
with the RTC and those against the latter with the CA.
 GR: The Court will not entertain direct resort to it.
XN: 1. Redress desired cannot be obtained in the appropriate lower courts
2. Where exceptional and compelling circumstances, such as cases of national
interest and with serious implications, justify the availment of the extraordinary remedy.
F. Special Jurisdiction
a. Regional Trial Court acting as Family Court
1. Petitions for guardianship, custody of minor, habeas
corpus in relation to minor.
2. Petition for custody of minor, habeas corpus in relation
to the latter.
3. Petition for adoption of children and revocation of
adoption
4. Complaints for annulment of marriage and declaration of
nullity and those relating to marital status and property
relations of husband and wife or those living together
under different status and agreements, and dissolution of
conjugal partnership of gains.
5. Petition for support and/or acknowledgement
6. Summary Judicial Proceedings brought under the
provisions of EO 209 “Family Code of the Philippines”.
b. Regional Trial Court as Special Commercial Court
1. All civil actions for violations of intellectual property
rights provided for in RA 8293 or the IP Code
2. Civil actions for infringement of Patent, Utility Model and
Industrial Design
3. Trademark Infringement
4. Unfair Competition
5. Actions concerning trademark license contracts
 6. Actions concerning imported merchandise or goods
bearing infringing marks or trade names
7. Actions for cancellation of the registration of a collective
mark, False Designation of Origin, False Description or
Representation, and Breach of Contract.
8. Civil Actions for infringement of copyright, moral rights,
performers’ rights, producers’ rights and broadcasting
rights; and
9. Other violations of intellectual property rights as may be
defined by law.
c. MTC/MCTC/MeTC
i. Sec. 35, BP 129 “In the absence of all the Regional Trial Judges in a
province or city, any Metropolitan Trial Judge, Municipal Trial
Judge, Municipal Circuit Trial Judge may hear and decide
petitioners for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in
criminal cases in the province or city where the absent RTC Judge
sit”
 SC has designated RTC to handle exclusively the ffg special cases to wit:
1. Criminal Cases;
2. Juvenile and domestic relations cases;
3. Agrarian Cases
4. Urban land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of
quasi-judicial bodies and agencies; and
5. Such other special cases as the SC may determine in the interest of
a speedy and efficient administration of justice,

G. Delegated Jurisdiction – the grant of authority to inferior courts to hear and determine
cadastral and land registration cases under certain conditions
a. MTC/MCTC/MeTC can exercise delegated jurisdiction as assigned by the SC
over the ffg:
i. Uncontested lots- to hear and determine cadastral or land
registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy or
opposition.
ii. Contested lots- where the value of which does not exceed
P100,000. The value of the land shall be ascertained by the affidavit
of the claimant or by the claimants if there are several, or from the
tax declaration of the real property.