PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATION

!. WHO MAY PRACTICE LAW

1. Must h,ve been ,dmitted to the b,r. 2. After ,dmission, must rem,in in good ,nd
regul,r st,nding (, continuing requirement).

A l,wyer is one who:

1. P,ssed the b,r ex,ms.
2. T,ken the l,wyerʼs o,th before the Supreme Court en b,nc.
3. Signed in the roll of ,ttorneys.
4. Received , certific,te of license to pr,ctice l,w from the Clerk of Court of the
Supreme Court.
5. Furnished s,tisf,ctory proof or educ,tion,l, mor,l, ,nd other qu,lific,tions.

#. LAWYERʼS OATH (MEMORIZE!!)

I _____ , do solemnly swe,r th,t I will m,int,in ,llegi,nce to the Republic of the
Philippines; I will support ,nd defend its Constitution ,nd obey the l,ws ,s well ,s the
leg,l orders of the duly constituted ,uthorities therein; I will do no f,lsehood nor
consent to its commission; I will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue ,ny groundless,
f,lse or unl,wful suit nor give ,id nor consent to the s,me; I will not del,y ,ny m,nʼs
c,use for money or m,lice ,nd will conduct myself ,s , l,wyer ,ccording to the best
of my knowledge ,nd discretion with ,ll good fidelity ,s well to the court ,s to my
clients; ,nd I will impose upon myself this oblig,tion volunt,rily, without ,ny ment,l
reserv,tion or purpose of ev,sion. So help me God.

$. Duties of Attorneys (Rule 138, Sec 20) – MEMORIZE!

It is the duty of ,n ,ttorney:
1. To m,int,in ,llegi,nce to the Republic of the Philippines ,nd to support the
Constitution ,nd obey the l,ws of the Philippines;
2. To observe ,nd m,int,in the respect due to the courts of justice ,nd judici,l
officers;
3. To counsel or m,int,in such ,ctions or proceedings only ,s ,ppe,r to him to be just,
,nd such defenses only ,s he believes to be honestly deb,t,ble under the l,w;
4. To employ, for the purpose of m,int,ining the c,uses confided to him, such me,ns
only ,s ,re consistent with truth ,nd honor, ,nd never seek to misle,d the judge or ,ny
judici,l officer by ,n ,rtifice or f,lse st,tement of f,ct or l,w;
5. To m,int,in inviol,te the confidence, ,nd ,t every peril to himself, to preserve the
secrets of his client, ,nd to ,ccept no compens,tion in connection with his client's
business except from him or with his knowledge ,nd ,pprov,l;
6. To ,bst,in from ,ll offensive person,lity ,nd to ,dv,nce no f,ct prejudici,l to the
honor or reput,tion of , p,rty or witness, unless required by the justice of the c,use
with which he is ch,rged;
7. Not to encour,ge either the commencement or the continu,nce of ,n ,ction or
proceeding, or del,y ,ny m,n's c,use, from ,ny corrupt motive or interest;
8. Never to reject, for ,ny consider,tion person,l to himself, the c,use of the defenseless
or oppressed;
9. In the defense of , person ,ccused of crime, by ,ll f,ir ,nd honor,ble me,ns,
reg,rdless of his person,l opinion ,s to the guilt of the ,ccused, to present every
defense th,t the l,w permits, to the end th,t no person m,y be deprived of life or
liberty, but by due process of l,w.

FOUR-FOLD DUTIES OF A LAWYER

1. Duties to SOCIETY – should not viol,te his responsibility to society, exempl,r for
righteousness, re,dy to render leg,l ,id, foster soci,l reforms, gu,rdi,n of due process,
,w,re of speci,l role in the solution of speci,l problems ,nd be ,lw,ys re,dy to lend
,ssist,nce in the study ,nd solution of soci,l problems.
2. Duties to the LEGAL PROFESSION – c,ndor, f,irness, courtesy ,nd truthfulness, ,void
encro,chment in the business of other l,wyers, uphold the honor of the profession.
3. Duties to the COURT – respect or defend ,g,inst criticisms, uphold ,uthority ,nd
dignity, obey order ,nd processes, ,ssist in the ,dministr,tion of justice.
4. Duties to the CLIENT – entire devotion to clientʼs interest.

`. THE LAWYER AS AN OFFICER OF THE COURT

While l,wyers owe their entire devotion to the interest of the client ,nd ze,l in the
defense of their clientʼs right, they ,re ,lso officers of the court, bound to exert every
effort to ,ssist in the speedy ,nd efficient ,dministr,tion of justice. They should not
misuse the rules of procedure to defe,t the ends of justice or unduly del,y , c,se,
impede the execution of , judgment or misuse court processes.

JURISDICTION

!. DEFINITION
Jurisdiction is not only the power of the court to he,r ,nd decide c,ses; it includes the power
to execute decisions

#. LUPON
The Lupon of e,ch b,r,ng,y sh,ll h,ve the ,uthority to bring together the p,rties ,ctu,lly
residing in the s,me municip,lity or city for ,mic,ble settlement of ,ll disputes except:
(,) Where one p,rty is the government or ,ny subdivision or instrument,lity thereof
(b) Where one p,rty is , public officer or employee, ,nd the dispute rel,tes to the
perform,nce of his offici,l functions
(c) Offenses punish,ble by imprisonment exceeding one (1) ye,r or , fine exceeding P5,000
(d) Offenses where there is no priv,te offended p,rty
(e) Where the dispute involves re,l properties loc,ted in different cities or municip,lities
unless the p,rties thereto ,gree to submit their differences to ,mic,ble settlement by ,n
,ppropri,te lupon
(f) Disputes involving p,rties who ,ctu,lly reside in b,r,ng,ys of different cities or
municip,lities, except where such b,r,ng,y units ,djoin e,ch other ,nd the p,rties thereto
,gree to submit their differences to ,mic,ble settlement by ,n ,ppropri,te lupon
(g) Such other cl,sses of disputes which the President m,y determine in the interest of justice
or upon the recommend,tion of the Secret,ry of Justice
(h) Any compl,int by or ,g,inst corpor,tions, p,rtnerships, or juridic,l entities. The re,son is
th,t only individu,ls sh,ll be p,rties to b,r,ng,y concili,tion proceedings either ,s
compl,in,nts or respondents
(i) Disputes where urgent leg,l ,ction is necess,ry to prevent injustice from being committed
or further continued, specific,lly:
1. A crimin,l c,se where the ,ccused is under police custody or detention
2. A petition for h,be,s corpus by , person illeg,lly det,ined or deprived of his liberty or
one ,cting in his beh,lf
3. Actions coupled with provision,l remedies, such ,s prelimin,ry injunction, ,tt,chment,
replevin ,nd support pendente lite
4. Where the ,ction m,y be b,rred by st,tute of limit,tions
(j) L,bor disputes or controversies ,rising from employer-employee rel,tionship
(k) Where the dispute ,rises from the CARL
(l) Actions to ,nnul judgment upon , compromise which c,n be directly filed in court.

$. METROPOLITAN / MUNICIPAL / MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

A . Origin,l Jurisdiction
1. Civil
,. Exclusive
1) Actions involving person,l property v,lued ,t not more th,n PhP 300,000.00 (PhP
400,000.00 in Metro M,nil,)
2) Actions dem,nding sums of money not exceeding PhP 300,000.00 (Php4000,000.00 in
Metro M,nil,) ; in both c,ses, exclusive of interest, d,m,ges, ,ttorneyʼs fees, litig,tion
expenses ,nd costs, the ,mount of which must be specific,lly ,lleged, but the filing fees
thereon sh,ll be p,id. These include ,dmir,lty ,nd m,ritime c,ses;
3) Actions involving title or possession of re,l property where the ,ssessed v,lue does not
exceed PhP 20,000.00 (Php 50,000.00 in Metro M,nil,) ;
4) Provision,l remedies in princip,l ,ctions within their jurisdiction, ,nd in proper c,ses,
such ,s prelimin,ry ,tt,chment, prelimin,ry injunction, ,ppointment or receiver ,nd delivery
of person,l property (Rule 57, 58, 59, ,nd 60) ;
5) Forcible entry ,nd unl,wful det,iner, with jurisdiction to resolve issue of ownership to
determine issue of possession;
6) Prob,te proceedings, test,te or intest,te, where gross v,lue of est,te does not exceed
PhP 300,000.00 or in Metro M,nil, PhP 400,000.00; (Sec. 33, B,t,s Blg. 129 [1983] ,s
,mended by Rep. Act No. 7691 [1994])
7) Inclusion ,nd exclusion of voters. (Sec. 38, B,t,s Blg. 881, Omnibus Election Code of the
Philippines [1985]).

b. Deleg,ted
C,d,str,l ,nd l,nd registr,tion c,ses ,ssigned by Supreme Court where there is no
controversy or opposition ,nd in contested lots v,lued ,t more th,n PhP 100,000 (Sec. 34,
B,t,s Blg. 129 [1983] ,s ,mended by Rep. Act No. 7691 [1994])

c. Speci,l
Petition for h,be,s corpus in the ,bsence of ,ll Region,l Tri,l Court judges. (Sec. 35, B,t,s
Blg. 129 [1983])

2. Crimin,l
,. Exclusive
1) All viol,tions of city or municip,l ordin,nces committed within their respective territori,l
jurisdictions;
2) All offenses punish,ble with imprisonment of not more th,n six (6) ye,rs irrespective of
the fine ,nd reg,rdless of other impos,ble ,ccessory or other pen,lties ,nd the civil li,bility
,rising therefrom; provided, however, th,t in offenses involving d,m,ge to property through
crimin,l negligence, they sh,ll h,ve exclusive origin,l jurisdiction. (Sec. 32, B,t,s Blg. 129
[1983] ,s ,mended by Rep. Act No. 7691 [1994])
3) All offenses committed not f,lling within the exclusive origin,l jurisdiction of the
S,ndig,nb,y,n where none of the ,ccused is occupying , position corresponding to s,l,ry
gr,de 27 ,nd higher. (As ,mended by Rep. Act No. 7975 [1995] ,nd Rep. Act No. 8249
[1997])
4) In c,ses where the only pen,lty provided by l,w is , fine not exceeding PhP 4,000, the
Metropolit,n Tri,l Courts, etc. h,ve jurisdiction. (Administr,tive Circul,r No. 09-94, d,ted
June 14, 1994)

A) RULE ON SMALL CLAIM

MTCs, MeTCs ,nd MCTCs sh,ll h,ve jurisdiction over ,ctions for p,yment of money
300
where the v,lue of the cl,im does not exceed P100,000 exclusive of interest ,nd costs
(Sec. 2, AM 08-87-SC, Oct. 27, 2009).

Actions covered ,re

1. Purely civil in n,ture where the cl,im or relief pr,yed for by the pl,intiff is solely for
p,yment or reimbursement of sum of money, ,nd
2. The civil ,spect of crimin,l ,ctions, either f iled before the institution of the crimin,l
,ction, or reserved upon the filing of the crimin,l ,ction in court, pursu,nt to Rule 111
(Sec. 4, AM 08-8-7-SC).

These cl,ims m,y be:

1. For money owed under the contr,cts of le,se, lo,n, services, s,le, or mortg,ge;
2. For d,m,ges ,rising from f,ult or negligence, qu,si-contr,ct, or contr,ct; ,nd
3. The enforcement of , b,r,ng,y ,mic,ble settlement or ,n ,rbitr,tion ,w,rd
involving , money cl,im pursu,nt to Sec. 417 of RA 7160 (LGC).

B) RULE ON SUMMARY PROCEDURE

 A. Civil C,ses
1. All c,ses of forcible entry ,nd unl,wful det,iner, irrespective of the ,mount of d,m,ges or
unp,id rent,ls sought to be recovered. Where ,ttorney's fees ,re ,w,rded, the s,me sh,ll not
exceed twenty thous,nd pesos (P20,000.00).
2. All other c,ses, except prob,te proceedings, where the tot,l ,mount of the pl,intiff's
cl,im does not exceed one hundred thous,nd pesos (P100,000.00) or, two hundred
thous,nd pesos (P200,000.00) in Metropolit,n M,nil,, exclusive of interest ,nd costs.
" (A.M. No. 02-11-09-SC, which took effect on November 25, 2002)

B. Crimin,l C,ses:
1. Viol,tions of tr,ffic l,ws, rules ,nd regul,tions;
2. Viol,tions of the rent,l l,w;
3. Viol,tions of municip,l or city ordin,nces;
4. Viol,tions of B,t,s P,mb,ns, Bil,ng 22 (Bouncing Checks L,w) (A.M. No. 00-11 01-SC,
which took effect on M,rch 30, 2003)
5. All other crimin,l c,ses where the pen,lty prescribed by l,w for the offense ch,rged is
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or , fine not exceeding one thous,nd pesos
(P1,000.00) , or both, irrespective of other impos,ble pen,lties, ,ccessory or otherwise, or
of the civil li,bility ,rising therefrom: Provided, however, th,t in offenses involving d,m,ge to
property through crimin,l negligence, this Rule sh,ll govern where the impos,ble fine does not
exceed ten thous,nd pesos (P10,000.00).

`. REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

(1) Exclusive origin,l jurisdiction
(,) M,tters inc,p,ble of pecuni,ry estim,tion, such ,s
-rescission of contr,ct, ,ction to revive judgment, decl,r,tory relief (1st p,rt), support,
expropri,tion)
-If the ,ction is prim,rily for the recovery of , sum of money, the cl,im is
considered c,p,ble of pecuni,ry estim,tion, ,nd jurisdiction over the ,ction will depend
on the ,mount of the cl,im. [RCPI v. CA (2002)]
-If the b,sic issue is something other th,n the right to recover , sum of money, if the
money cl,im is purely incident,l to, or , consequence of, the princip,l relief sought, the
,ction is one where the subject of the litig,tion m,y not be estim,ted in terms of
money. [Soliven v. F,stforms (1992)]
(b) Title to, possession of, or interest in, re,l property with ,ssessed v,lue exceeding P20,000
(outside Metro M,nil,), or exceeds P50,000 in Metro M,nil,
(c) Prob,te proceedings where the gross v,lue of the est,te exceeds P300,000 outside MM or
exceeds P400,000 in Metro M,nil,
(d) Admir,lty or m,ritime c,ses where the dem,nd or cl,im exceeds P300,000 outside Metro
M,nil, or exceeds P400,000 in Metro M,nil,
(e) Other ,ctions involving property v,lued ,t more th,n P300,000 outside MM or more th,n
P400,000 in MM
(f) Crimin,l c,ses not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the S,ndig,nb,y,n

(2) Origin,l exclusive jurisdiction over c,ses not f,lling within the jurisdiction of ,ny court,
tribun,l, person or body exercising judici,l or qu,si-judici,l functions

(3) Origin,l ,nd exclusive jurisdiction to he,r ,nd decide intr,-corpor,te controversies:
(,) C,ses involving devises or schemes employed by or ,ny ,cts, of the bo,rd of directors,
business ,ssoci,tes, its officers or p,rtnership, ,mounting to fr,ud ,nd misrepresent,tion
which m,y be detriment,l to the interest of the public ,nd/or of the stockholders, p,rtners,
members of ,ssoci,tions or org,niz,tions registered with the SEC
(b) Controversies ,rising out of intr,-corpor,te or p,rtnership rel,tions, between ,nd ,mong
stockholders, members or ,ssoci,tes; between ,ny or ,ll of them ,nd the corpor,tion,
p,rtnership or ,ssoci,tion of which they ,re stockholders, members or ,ssoci,tes,
respectively; ,nd between such corpor,tion , p,rtnership or ,ssoci,tion ,nd the st,te insof,r
,s it concerns their individu,l fr,nchise or right to exist ,s such entity
(c) Controversies in the election or ,ppointments of directors, trustees, officers or m,n,gers
of such corpor,tions, p,rtnerships or ,ssoci,tions
(d) Petitions of corpor,tions, p,rtnerships or ,ssoci,tions to be decl,red in the st,te of
suspension of p,yments in c,ses where the corpor,tion, p,rtnership of ,ssoci,tion possesses
sufficient property to cover ,ll its debts but foresees the impossibility of meeting them when
they respectively f,ll due or in c,ses where the corpor,tion, p,rtnership of ,ssoci,tion h,s no
sufficient ,ssets to cover its li,bilities, but is under the m,n,gement of , Reh,bilit,tion
Receiver or M,n,gement Committee.

(4) Concurrent ,nd origin,l jurisdiction

(,) with the Supreme Court in ,ctions ,ffecting ,mb,ss,dors, other public ministers ,nd
consuls
(b) with the SC ,nd CA in petitions for certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst lower
courts ,nd bodies in petitions for quo w,rr,nto, h,be,s corpus, ,nd writ of continuing
m,nd,mus on environment,l c,ses
(c) with the SC, CA ,nd S,ndig,b,y,n in petitions for writs of h,be,s d,t, ,nd ,mp,ro

(5) Appell,te jurisdiction over c,ses decided by lower courts in their respective territori,l
jurisdictions

(6) Speci,l jurisdiction over JDRC, ,gr,ri,n ,nd urb,n l,nd reform c,ses not within the
exclusive jurisdiction of qu,si-judici,l ,gencies when so design,ted by the SC.

FAMILY COURT
(1) Under RA 8369, F,mily Courts sh,ll h,ve exclusive origin,l jurisdiction over the
following c,ses, whether civil or crimin,l:
(,) Petitions for gu,rdi,nship, custody of children ,nd h,be,s corpus involving children
(b) Petitions for ,doption of children ,nd the revoc,tion thereof
(c) Compl,ints for ,nnulment of m,rri,ge, decl,r,tion of nullity of m,rri,ge ,nd those rel,ting
to st,tus ,nd property rel,tions of husb,nd ,nd wife or those living together under different
st,tus ,nd ,greements, ,nd petitions for dissolution of conjug,l p,rtnership of g,ins
(d) Petitions for support ,nd/or ,cknowledgment
(e) Summ,ry judici,l proceedings brought under the provisions of EO 209 (F,mily Code)
(f) Petitions for decl,r,tion of st,tus of children ,s ,b,ndoned, dependent or neglected
children, petitions for volunt,ry or involunt,ry commitment of children, the suspension,
termin,tion or restor,tion of p,rent,l ,uthority ,nd other c,ses cogniz,ble under PD 603, EO
56 (1986) ,nd other rel,ted l,ws
(g) Petitions for the constitution of the f,mily home In ,re,s where there ,re no F,mily Courts,
the ,bove-enumer,ted c,ses sh,ll be ,djudic,ted by the RTC (RA 8369).

p. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS UNDER RA 9282 Hnd RULE

5, AM 05-11-07 CTA

Exclusive Origin,l or Appell,te Jurisdiction to Review by Appe,l:

1. Decisions of CIR in c,ses involving disputed ,ssessments, refunds of intern,l
revenue t,xes, fees or other ch,rges, pen,lties in rel,tion thereto, or other m,tters
,rising under the NIRC or other l,ws ,dministered by BIR;
2. In,ction by CIR in c,ses involving disputed ,ssessments, refunds of IR t,xes,
fees or other ch,rges, pen,lties in rel,tion thereto, or other m,tters ,rising under the
NIRC or other l,ws ,dministered by BIR, where the NIRC or other ,pplic,ble l,w
provides , specific period of ,ction, in which c,se the in,ction sh,ll be deemed
,n implied deni,l;
3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the RTCs in loc,l t,xes origin,lly decided or
resolved by them in the exercise of their origin,l or ,ppell,te jurisdiction;
4. Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs
,. in c,ses involving li,bility for customs duties, fees or other ch,rges, seizure, detention
or rele,se of property ,ffected, fines, forfeitures or other pen,lties in rel,tion
thereto, or
b. other m,tters ,rising under the Customs l,w or other l,ws, p,rt of l,ws or speci,l
l,ws ,dministered by BOC;
5. Decisions of the Centr,l Bo,rd of Assessment Appe,ls in the exercise of its
,ppell,te jurisdiction over c,ses involving the ,ssessment ,nd t,x,tion of re,l
property origin,lly decided by the provinci,l or city bo,rd of ,ssessment ,ppe,ls;
6. Decision of the secret,ry of Fin,nce on customs c,ses elev,ted to him
,utom,tic,lly for review from decisions of the Commissioner of Customs which ,re
,dverse to the government under Sec. 2315 of the T,riff ,nd Customs Code;
7. Decisions of Secret,ry of Tr,de ,nd Industry in the c,se of non-,gricultur,l
product, commodity or ,rticle, ,nd the Secret,ry of Agriculture in the c,se of
,gricultur,l product, commodity or ,rticle, involving dumping duties ,nd counterveiling
duties under Secs. 301 ,nd 302, respectively, of the T,riff ,nd Customs Code, ,nd
s,fegu,rd me,sures under RA 8800, where either p,rty m,y ,ppe,l the decision to
impose or not to impose s,id duties.

Exclusive Origin,l Jurisdiction

1. Over ,ll crimin,l c,ses ,rising from viol,tion of the NIRC ,nd the TCC ,nd other
l,ws, p,rt of l,ws, or speci,l l,ws ,dministered by the BIR or the BOC where the
princip,l ,mount of t,xes ,nd fees, exclusive of ch,rges ,nd pen,lties cl,imed is less
th,n P1M or where there is no specified ,mount cl,imed (the offenses or pen,lties
sh,ll be tried by the regul,r courts ,nd the jurisdiction of the CTA sh,ll be ,ppell,te)
2. In t,x collection c,ses involving fin,l ,nd executory ,ssessments for t,xes, fees,
ch,rges ,nd pen,lties where the princip,l ,mount of t,xes ,nd fees, exclusive of
ch,rges ,nd pen,lties cl,imed is less th,n P1M tried by the proper MTC, MeTC ,nd
RTC

Exclusive Appell,te Jurisdiction

1. In crimin,l offenses
,. Over ,ppe,ls from the judgment, resolutions or orders of the RTC in t,x c,ses
origin,lly decided by them, in their respective territori,l jurisdiction, ,nd
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, resolutions or orders of the RTC in
the exercise of their ,ppell,te jurisdiction over t,x c,ses origin,lly decided by the
MeTCs, MTCs, ,nd MCTCs in their respective jurisdiction.
2. In t,x collection c,ses
,. Over ,ppe,ls from the judgments, resolutions or orders of the RTC in t,x collection
c,ses origin,lly decided by them in their respective territori,l jurisdiction; ,nd
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, resolutions or orders of the RTC in
the exercise of their ,ppell,te jurisdiction over t,x collection c,ses origin,lly decided
by the MeTCs, MTCs ,nd MCTCs in their respective jurisdiction.

q. JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN

Origin,l Jurisdiction in ,ll c,ses involving:
1. Viol,tions of RA 3019 (Anti-Gr,ft ,nd Corrupt Pr,ctices Act)
2. Viol,tions of RA 1379 (Anti-Ill-Gotten We,lth Act)
3. Sequestr,tion c,ses (E.O. Nos. 1,2,14,14A)
4. Bribery (Ch,pter II, Sec. 2, Title VII, Book II, RPC) where one or more of the
princip,l ,ccused ,re occupying the following positions in the government, whether
in perm,nent, ,cting or interim c,p,city ,t the time of the commission of the offense:
,. Offici,ls of the executive br,nch occupying the positions of region,l director ,nd
higher, otherwise cl,ssified ,s Gr,de 27 ,nd higher, of the Compens,tion ,nd Position
Cl,ssific,tion Act of 1989 (RA 6758)
b. Members of Congress ,nd offici,ls thereof cl,ssified ,s G-27 ,nd up under RA
6758
c. Members of the Judici,ry without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution
d. Ch,irmen ,nd Members of the Constitution,l Commissions without prejudice to
the provisions of the Constitution
e. All other n,tion,l ,nd loc,l offici,ls cl,ssified ,s Gr,de 27 ,nd higher under RA
6758
f. Other offenses or felonies committed by the public offici,ls ,nd employees mentioned
in Sec. 4(,) of RA 7975 ,s ,mended by RA 8249 in rel,tion to their office
g. Civil ,nd crimin,l c,ses filed pursu,nt to ,nd in connection with EO Nos. 1, 2, 14-A
(Sec. 4, RA 8249)
NOTE: Without the office, the crime c,nnot be committed.
Appell,te Jurisdiction
Over fin,l judgments, resolutions or orders of the RTC whether in the exercise of their
origin,l or ,ppell,te jurisdiction over crimes ,nd civil c,ses f,lling within the origin,l
exclusive jurisdiction of the S,ndig,nb,y,n but which were committed by public officers
below S,l,ry Gr,de 27.

Concurrent Origin,l Jurisdiction with SC, CA, ,nd RTC

for petitions for writs of h,be,s d,t, ,nd ,mp,ro
NOTE: The requisites th,t the offender the offender occupies s,l,ry Gr,de 27 ,nd
the offense must be intim,tely connected with the offici,l function must concur for the
SB to h,ve jurisdiction

r. JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS

IN CIVIL CASES
Exclusive Origin,l Jurisdiction
in ,ctions for ,nnulment of judgments of the RTC

Concurrent Origin,l Jurisdiction

1. With SC to issue writs of certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst the RTC,
CSC, CBAA, other qu,si-judici,l ,gencies mentioned in Rule 43, ,nd the NLRC
(however, this should be filed first with the CA ,s per St. M,rtin Funer,l Home c,se),
,nd writ of k,lik,s,n.
2. With the SC ,nd RTC to issue writs of certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst
lower courts ,nd bodies ,nd writs of quo w,rr,nto, h,be,s corpus, whether or not in
,id of its ,ppell,te jurisdiction, ,nd writ of continuing m,nd,mus on environment,l
c,ses.
3. With SC, RTC ,nd S,ndig,nb,y,n for petitions for writs of ,mp,ro ,nd h,be,s d,t,
where the ,ction involves public d,t, or government office

Exclusive Appell,te Jurisdiction

1. By w,y of ordin,ry ,ppe,l from the RTC ,nd the F,mily Courts.
2. By w,y of petition for review from the RTC rendered by the RTC in the exercise of
its ,ppell,te jurisdiction.
3. By w,y of petition for review from the decisions, resolutions, orders or ,w,rds of the
CSC, CBAA ,nd other bodies mentioned in Rule 43 ,nd of the Office of the
Ombudsm,n in ,dministr,tive disciplin,ry c,ses.
4. Over decisions of MTCs in c,d,str,l or l,nd registr,tion c,ses pursu,nt to its
deleg,ted jurisdiction; this is bec,use decisions of MTCs in these c,ses ,re
,ppe,l,ble in the s,me m,nner ,s decisions of RTCs.

s. JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT

IN CIVIL CASES
Exclusive Origin,l Jurisdiction
in petitions for certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst the CA, COMELEC, COA,
CTA, S,ndig,nb,y,n

Concurrent Origin,l Jurisdiction

1. With Court of Appe,ls in petitions for certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst
the RTC, CSC, Centr,l Bo,rd of Assessment Appe,ls, NLRC, Qu,si-judici,l ,gencies, ,nd
writ of k,lik,s,n, ,ll subject to the doctrine of hier,rchy of courts.
2. With the CA ,nd RTC in petitions for certior,ri, prohibition ,nd m,nd,mus ,g,inst
lower courts ,nd bodies ,nd in petitions for quo w,rr,nto, ,nd writs of h,be,s corpus,
,ll subject to the doctrine of hier,rchy of courts.
3. With CA, RTC ,nd S,ndig,nb,y,n for petitions for writs of ,mp,ro ,nd h,be,s d,t,
4. Concurrent origin,l jurisdiction with the RTC in c,ses ,ffecting ,mb,ss,dors, public
ministers ,nd consuls.

Appell,te Jurisdiction
1. By w,y of petition for review on certior,ri (,ppe,l by certior,ri under Rule 45)
,g,inst CA, S,ndig,nb,y,n, RTC on pure questions of l,w ,nd CTA in its decisions
rendered en b,nc.
2. In c,ses involving the constitution,lity or v,lidity of , l,w or tre,ty, intern,tion,l or
executive ,greement, l,w, presidenti,l decree, procl,m,tion, order, instruction,
ordin,nce or regul,tion, leg,lity of , t,x, impost, ,ssessment, toll or pen,lty,
jurisdiction of , lower court; ,nd
3. All c,ses in which the jurisdiction of ,ny court is in issue;
4. All c,ses in which ,n error or question of l,w is involved
5. The SC m,y resolve f,ctu,l issues in cert,in exception,l circumst,nces (Josef, v.
Zh,ndong, 2003)
,. The conclusion is grounded on specul,tions/ surmises /conjectures
b. The inference is m,nifestly mist,ken/,bsurd/impossible;
c. There is gr,ve ,buse of discretion;
d. The judgment is b,sed on , mis,pprehension of f,cts;
e. The findings of f,ct ,re conflicting;
f. There is no cit,tion of specific evidence on which the f,ctu,l findings ,re b,sed;
g. The finding of ,bsence of f,cts is contr,dicted by the presence of evidence on
record;
h. The findings of the CA ,re contr,ry to those of the tri,l court;
i. The CA m,nifestly overlooked cert,in relev,nt ,nd undisputed f,cts th,t, if properly
considered, would justify , different conclusion; The findings of the CA ,re beyond the
issues of the c,se; k. Such findings ,re contr,ry to the ,dmissions of both p,rties.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION

A. PRESCRIPTIVE PERIOD

B. JURISDICTION AND VENUE

C. LEGAL REMEDIES
C.1. DISMISSAL OF ACTIONS
Types of dismiss,l of ,ctions
1. Motion to dismiss before ,nswer under Rule 16;
2. Motion to dismiss under Rule 17 (Upon notice by pl,intiff; upon motion of pl,intiff; due to
f,ult of pl,intiff);
3. Demurrer to evidence ,fter pl,intiff h,s completed the present,tion of his evidence under
Rule 33; ,nd
4. Dismiss,l of ,n ,ppe,l.

Grounds for , motion to dismiss under Rule 16

1. Th,t the court h,s no jurisdiction over the person of the defending p,rty;
2. Th,t the court h,s no jurisdiction over the subject m,tter of the cl,im;
3. Th,t venue is improperly l,id;
4. Th,t the pl,intiff h,s no leg,l c,p,city to sue;
NOTE: The issue of the pl,intiffʼs l,ck of leg,l c,p,city to sue c,nnot be r,ised for the first
time on ,ppe,l where the defend,nt de,lt with the former ,s , p,rty in the proceeding.
5. Th,t there is ,nother ,ction pending between the s,me p,rties for the s,me c,use (2007
B,r );
NOTE: Requisites of Litis Pendenti,: (PRR)
,. Identity of the p,rties or ,t le,st such p,rties representing the s,me interest in both
,ctions;
b. Identity of rights ,sserted ,nd reliefs pr,yed for, being founded on the s,me f,cts; ,nd
c. Identity with respect to the two preceding p,rticul,rs, such th,t ,ny judgment th,t m,y be
rendered in the pending c,se would ,mount to res judic,t, in the other c,se (Lim v. Vi,nzon,
G.R. No. 137187, August 3, 2006).
6. Th,t the c,use of ,ction is b,rred by , prior judgment or by the st,tute of limit,tions;
NOTE: Requisites of res judic,t,:
,. The former judgment must be fin,l;
b. The court which rendered it h,s jurisdiction over the subject m,tter ,nd the p,rties;
c. Judgment must be on the merits; ,nd
d. There must be identity of p,rties, subject m,tter ,nd c,uses of ,ction.
Res judic,t, ,s , ground for dismiss,l is b,sed on two grounds, n,mely: (1) public policy ,nd
necessity, which m,kes it to the interest of the St,te th,t there should be ,n end to litig,tion –
republic,e ut sit litium; ,nd (2) the h,rdship on the individu,l of being vexed twice for the
s,me c,use – neme debet bis vex,ri et e,dem c,us, (Fels, Inc. v. Prov. of B,t,ng,s, G.R. No.
168557, Febru,ry 19, 2007).
7. Th,t the ple,ding ,sserting the cl,im st,tes no c,use of ,ction;
8. Th,t the cl,im or dem,nd set forth in the pl,intiff's ple,ding h,s been p,id, w,ived,
,b,ndoned, or otherwise extinguished;
9. Th,t the cl,im on which the ,ction is founded is unenforce,ble under the provisions of the
st,tute of fr,uds; ,nd
10. Th,t , condition precedent for filing the cl,im h,s not been complied with (Sec. 1, Rule 16).
NOTE: The enumer,tion is exclusive.

C.2. SUMMARY JUDGMENT

Summ,ry judgment (Rule 35) – One gr,nted by the court for the prompt disposition of
civil ,ctions wherein it cle,rly ,ppe,rs th,t there exists no genuine issue or controversy
,s to ,ny m,teri,l f,ct;

C.3. JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS

Grounds for judgment on the ple,dings
1. The ,nswer f,ils to tender ,n issue bec,use of:
,. Gener,l deni,l of the m,teri,l ,lleg,tions of the compl,int;
b. Insufficient deni,l of the m,teri,l ,lleg,tions of the compl,int;
2. The ,nswer ,dmits m,teri,l ,lleg,tions of the ,dverse p,rtyʼs ple,dings (Sec. 1, Rule 34).
NOTE: In the ,bsence of , motion for judgment on the ple,dings, the court c,nnot motu
proprio render such judgment

PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS

FORMS AND CONTENTS OF PLEADING

!. PLEADING, DEFINED
Ple,dings ,re the written st,tements of the respective cl,ims ,nd defenses of the
p,rties, submitted to the court for ,ppropri,te judgment [Rule 6, Sec. 1]

#. PARTS OF A PLEADING
1. C,ption - The c,ption sets forth: 1. N,me of the court; 2. Title of the ,ction; ,nd 3. Docket
number, if ,ssigned (Sec. 1, Rule 7).
2. Body – sets forth its design,tion, the ,lleg,tions of the p,rtyʼs cl,ims or defenses, the relief
pr,yed for, ,nd the d,te of the ple,ding.
,. P,r,gr,phs
b. He,dings
c. Relief
d. D,te

$. SignHture Hnd Hddress - The compl,int must be signed by the pl,intiff or counsel
representing him indic,ting his ,ddress. This ,ddress should not be , post office box
(Sec. 3, Rule 7).
 `. VerificHtion (in sever,l c,ses) - How to verify ple,dings: It is verified by ,n ,ffid,vit. This
,ffid,vit decl,res th,t the: 1. Affi,nt h,s re,d the ple,ding; ,nd 2. Alleg,tions therein ,re
true ,nd correct of his person,l knowledge or b,sed on ,uthentic records (Sec. 4, Rule
7).
NOTE: Verific,tion is not necess,ry in ple,dings, except when otherwise specific,lly required
by l,w or rule (Ibid.).

p. CertificHtion HgHinst forum shopping - It is , m,nd,tory requirement in filing ,

compl,int ,nd other initi,tory ple,dings ,sserting , cl,im or relief (Sec. 5, Rule 7).

q. PLEADINGS IN GENERAL
Re,d Rules 7, 8, 9, ,nd 13 (sec.11)

r. CIVIL CASES