STEPHANIE P.

BARILE JD2
JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

SUPREME COURT
Article VIII. - The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may
be provided by law. This power includes the duty to settle actual controversies involving rights that are
legally demandable and enforceable and to determine if any branch or instrumentality of government
has acted with grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of excess of jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. It exercises original jurisdiction (cases
are directly filed with the SC in the first instance without passing through any of the lower courts) over
cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari,
prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus. (Art. VIII, §5(1)). It also has original
jurisdiction over writs of amparo, habeas data and the environmental writ of kalikasan. It exercises
appellate jurisdiction to review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm final judgments, and orders of the
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 regulation
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 is reclusion perpetua or higher.

5. All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved. (Art. VIII, §5(1), (2))

The Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and court personnel. (Article VIII, §6)
It exercises this power through the Office of the Court Administrator.

COURT OF APPEALS
Section 9. Jurisdiction. – The Court of Appeals shall Exercise:

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 judgements of Regional Trial Courts;
and

3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgements, resolutions, orders or awards of
Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commission,
including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social Security Commission, the
Employees Compensation Commission and the Civil Service Commission, Except those falling
within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the Constitution, the
Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, the provisions of
this Act, and of subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph 4 of the fourth
paragraph of Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.

The court of Appeals shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and
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 Appeals must be
continuous and must be completed within three (3) months, unless extended by the Chief Justice. (as
amended by R.A. No. 7902.)

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JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

SANDIGANBAYAN
The jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is perhaps one of the most often amended provision from the
1973 Constitution to RA 8249 of 1997. Before RA 8249, jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan was
determined on the basis of the penalty imposable on the offense charged. Then, it was amended such
that regardless of the penalty, so long as the offense charged was committed by a public officer, the
Sandiganbayan was vested with jurisdiction. Under RA 8249, to determine whether the Sandiganbayan
has jurisdiction, lawyers must look into two (2) criteria, namely:

The nature of the offense and The salary grade of the public official.

Thus, Sec.4 of RA 8249 provides that the Sandiganbayan shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over:

I. Violations of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Law);

II. RA 1379 (Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Wealth);

III. Crimes by public officers or employees embraced in Ch. II, Sec.2 Title VII, Bk. II of the RPC
(Crimes committed by Public Officers) namely:

a) Direct Bribery under Art. 210 as amended by BP 871, May 29, 1985;

b) Indirect Bribery under Art. 211 as amended by BP 871, May 29, 1985;

c) Qualified Bribery under Art. 211-A as amended by RA 7659, Dec. 13, 1993;

d) Corruption of public officials under Art. 212

Where one or more of the accused are officials occupying the following positions in the government
whether in a permanent, acting or interim capacity, at the time of the commission of the offense:

1. Officials of the executive branch occupying the positions of regional director and higher,
otherwise classified as Grade 27 and higher, of the Compensation and Position Classification Act
of 1989 Republic Act No. 6758) specifically including:

a) Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, provincial

treasurers, assessors, engineers and other provincial department heads;

b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panglungsod, city treasurers,

assessors, engineers and other department heads;

c) Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher;

d) Philippine Army and Air force colonels, naval captains and all officers of higher rank;

e) Officers of the PNP while occupying the position of Provincial Director and those holding the
rank of Senior Superintendent or higher;

f) City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants; officials and the prosecutors in the Office
of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor;

g) President, directors or trustees or managers of government owned or controlled

corporations, state universities or educational institutions or foundations;

2. Members of Congress and Officials thereof classified as Grade 27 and up under the
Compensation and Classification Act of 1989;

3. Members of the Judiciary without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution;

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JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

4. Chairmen and members of Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice to the provision of

the Constitution;

5. All other national and local officials classified as Grade 27 and higher under the Compensation
and Position Classification Act of 1989.

IV. Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed in
relation to their office by the public officials and employees mentioned above;

V. Civil and Criminal Cases filed pursuant to and in connection with EO 1, 2, 14 & 14-A issued in
1986

VI. Petitions for issuance of Writ of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunction
and other ancillary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction; Provided, jurisdiction is not
exclusive of the Supreme Court

VII. Petitions for Quo Warranto arising or that may arise in cases filed or that may be filed under EO
1, 2, 14 & 14- A

VIII. OTHERS provided the accused belongs to SG 27 or higher:

a) Violation of RA 6713 - Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards

b) Violation of RA 7080 - THE PLUNDER LAW

c) Violation of RA 7659 - The Heinous Crime Law

d) RA 9160 - Violation of The Anti-Money Laundering Law when committed by a public officer

e) PD 46 referred to as the gift-giving decree which makes it punishable for any official or
employee to receive directly or indirectly and for the private person to give or offer to give any
gift, present or other valuable thing on any occasion including Christmas, when such gift,
present or valuable thing is given by reason of his official position, regardless of whether or not
the same is for past favors or the giver hopes or expects to receive a favor or better treatment
in the future from the public official or employee concerned in the discharge of his official
functions. Included within the prohibition is the throwing of parties or entertainment in honor
of the official or employee or his immediate relatives.

f) PD 749 which grants immunity from prosecution to any person who voluntarily gives
information about any violation of Art.210, 211 or 212 of the RPC, RA 3019, Sec.345 of the
NIRC, Sec. 3604 of the Customs and Tariff Code and other provisions of the said Codes
penalizing abuse or dishonesty on the part of the public officials concerned and other laws,
rules and regulations penalizing graft, corruption and other forms of official abuse and who
willingly testifies against the public official or employee subject to certain conditions.

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JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

It should be noted that private individuals can be sued in cases before the Sandiganbayan if they are
alleged to be in conspiracy with the public officer.

The Sandiganbayan is vested with Appellate Jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions or orders of
the RTC whether in the exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction over crimes and civil cases
falling within the original exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan but which were committed by
public officers below Salary Grade 27.

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

Section 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. — Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original
jurisdiction:

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
(P20,000.00) or for civil actions in Metro Manila, where such the value exceeds Fifty thousand
pesos (50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or
buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon 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
exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);

4. In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate
exceeds One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila,
where such gross value exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);

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 or 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
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of the Courts 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 (100,000.00) or, in such other abovementioned items
exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00). (as amended by R.A. No. 7691*)

Section 20. Jurisdiction in criminal cases. — Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original
jurisdiction in all criminal cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body,
except those now falling under the exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan which
shall hereafter be exclusively taken cognizance of by the latter.

Section 21. Original jurisdiction in other cases. — Regional Trial Courts shall exercise original
jurisdiction:

1. In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and
injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions; and

2. In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls.

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 STEPHANIE P. BARILE JD2
JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

Section 22. Appellate jurisdiction. — Regional Trial Courts shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over all
cases decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
their respective territorial jurisdictions. Such cases shall be decided on the basis of the entire record of
the proceedings had in the court of origin and such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by
the parties or required by the Regional Trial Courts. The decision of the Regional Trial Courts in such
cases shall be appealable by petition for review to the Court of Appeals which may give it due course
only when the petition shows prima facie that the lower court has committed an error of fact or law
that will warrant a reversal or modification of the decision or judgment sought to be reviewed.

Section 23. Special jurisdiction to try special cases. — The Supreme Court may designate certain
branches of the Regional Trial Courts to handle exclusively criminal cases, juvenile and domestic
relations cases, agrarian cases, urban land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of quasi-
judicial bodies and agencies, and/or such other special cases as the Supreme Court may determine in
the interest of a speedy and efficient administration of justice.

METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS,

AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

Section 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts in criminal cases. — Except in cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional
Trial Courts and of the Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall exercise:

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 kind, nature, value, or amount thereof: Provided, however, That in offenses
involving damage to property through criminal negligence they shall have exclusive original
jurisdiction thereof. (as amended by R.A, No. 7691)

Section 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts in civil cases. — Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts shall exercise:

1. 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 One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila where such personal property, estate, or amount of the
demand does not exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) 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 whether the
causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions;

2. 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 the

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JURISDICTION OF PHILLIPINE COURTS

question of possession cannot be resolved without deciding the issue of ownership, the issue of
ownership shall be resolved only to determine the issue of possession.

3. 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 (P20,000.00) or, in civil actions in Metro Manila, where
such assessed value does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) exclusive of interest,
damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses and costs: Provided, That value
of such property shall be determined by the assessed value of the adjacent lots. (as amended by
R.A. No. 7691)

Section 34. Delegated jurisdiction in cadastral and land registration cases. — Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts may be assigned by the Supreme Court
to hear and determine cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy
or opposition, or contested lots the where the value of which does not exceed One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00), such value to be ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant or by agreement of
the respective claimants if there are more than one, or from the corresponding tax declaration of the
real property. Their decisions in these cases shall be appealable in the same manner as decisions of the
Regional Trial Courts. (as amended by R.A. No. 7691)

Section 35. Special jurisdiction in certain cases. — 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 petitions for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal cases in the
province or city where the absent Regional Trial Judges sit.

Section 36. Summary procedures in special cases. — In Metropolitan Trial Courts and Municipal Trial
Courts with at least two branches, the Supreme Court may designate one or more branches thereof to
try exclusively forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases, those involving violations of traffic laws, rules
and regulations, violations of the rental law, and such other cases requiring summary disposition as the
Supreme Court may determine. The Supreme Court shall adopt special rules or procedures applicable to
such cases in order to achieve an expeditious and inexpensive determination thereof without regard to
technical rules. Such simplified procedures may provide that affidavits and counter-affidavits may be
admitted in lieu of oral testimony and that the periods for filing pleadings shall be non-extendible.

Section 37. Preliminary investigation. — Judges of Metropolitan Trial Courts, except those in the
National Capital Region, of Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall have authority
to conduct preliminary investigation of crimes alleged to have been committed within their respective
territorial jurisdictions which are cognizable by the Regional Trial Courts.

The preliminary investigation shall be conducted in accordance with the procedure prescribed in
Section 1, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of Presidential Decree No. 911: Provided, however, That if
after the preliminary investigation the Judge finds a prima facie case, he shall forward the records of the
case to the Provincial/City Fiscal for the filing of the corresponding information with the proper court.

No warrant of arrest shall be issued by the Judge in connection with any criminal complaint filed with
him for preliminary investigation, unless after an examination in writing and under oath or affirmation
of the complainant and his witnesses, he finds that a probable cause exists.

Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance herewith may be served anywhere in the Philippines.

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