designate one or more branches thereof to try
exclusively:
III. JURISDICTION -- IN PARTICULAR (1) forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases,
A. METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS / MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS
Shortcut version (found in syllabus):
1. Violation of ordinances
2. All offenses punishable by Prison Sentences
not Exceeding 6 years MTC also has jurisdiction over cases classified
3. Damage to property through reckless
imprudence
4. Imposable penalty is destierro
5. Special jurisdiction in the absence of RTC
judges
Expanded version
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction* over:
(1) All violations of city or municipal ordinances
committed within their respective territorial
jurisdictions (Sec 32(1) BP 129)
(2) 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 (Sec 32(2)
BP 129)
Includes crimes punishable by
destierro
(3) Offenses involving damage to property
through criminal negligence (Sec 32(2) BP
129, RA7691) -- this rule disregarding the
amount of fine and other accessory penalties in
determining jurisdiction does not apply when the
offense is punishable by fine only
*Exception: cases falling within the exclusive original
jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts and of the
Sandiganbayan
Special Jurisdiction over:
(1) Petitions for writ of habeas corpus or
applications for bail in criminal cases in the
province or city where the absent Regional Trial
Judges sit, in the absence of all the Regional
Trial Judges in a province or city (Sec 35 BP
129)
Summary procedures in special cases:
In Metropolitan Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts
with at least two branches, the Supreme Court may
(2) those involving violations of traffic laws, rules
and regulations,
(3) violations of the rental law, and
(4) such other cases requiring summary
disposition as the Supreme Court may
determine. (Sec 36 BP 129)
under the Revised Rules on Summary Procedure:
(1) Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations;
(2) Violations of the rental law;
(3) Violations of municipal or city ordinances;
(4) All other criminal cases where the penalty
prescribed by law for the offense charged is
imprisonment not exceeding six months, or a
fine not exceeding (P1,000.00), or both,
irrespective of other imposable penalties,
accessory or otherwise, or of the civil liability
arising therefrom
(5) Offenses involving damage to property through
criminal negligence (imposable fine does not
exceed P10,000)
B. REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction over:
(1) 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 (Sec 20 BP 129)
(2) Other laws which specifically lodge
jurisdiction in the RTC:
(a) Libel
(b) Decree on Intellectual Property
(c) Dangerous Drugs cases except where
the offender is under 16 and there are
Family Courts in the province
(d) Special Agrarian Courts under Sec 56 of
RA 6657, as amended
(e) Election law violations (Comelec v
Judge Aguirre)
(i) Exception: failure to register or
failure to vote
Original Jurisdiction over:
(1) 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 (Sec 21(1) BP 129)
(2) Actions affecting ambassadors and other
public ministers and consuls (Sec 21(2) BP
129)
Appellate Jurisdiction over:
(1) All cases decided by Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts in their respective territorial
jurisdictions (Sec 22 BP 129)
Special Jurisdiction over:
(1) 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
(Sec 23 BP 129)
The Supreme Court may designate
certain branches of the Regional Trial
Courts to handle these cases
exclusively
Example:
Dangerous Drugs cases (Art XI
Sec 90 RA 9165)
Special Agragrian Courts (Sec
56 RA 6657)
Juvenile and Domestic Court
(Sec 30 RA 7610)
The special rules of procedure
applicable under present laws to such
cases shall continue to be applied,
unless subsequently amended by law or
by rules of court promulgated by the
Supreme Court (Sec 24 BP 129)
(2) Such other special cases as the Supreme Court
may determine in the interest of a speedy and
efficient administration of justice (Sec 23 BP
129)
C. FAMILY COURTS
(Sec 5 RA8369)
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction over:
(1) Criminal cases where one or more of the
accused is below eighteen (18) years of age
but not less than nine (9) years of age or
where one or more of the victims is a minor
at the time of the commission of the offense:
Provided, That if the minor is found guilty, the
court shall promulgate sentence and ascertain
any civil liability which the accused may have
incurred.
The sentence, however, shall be
suspended without need of application
pursuant to Presidential Decree No.
603, otherwise known as the "Child and
Youth Welfare Code";
(2) Petitions for guardianship, custody of
children, habeas corpus in relation to the
latter;
(3) Petitions for adoption of children and the
revocation thereof;
(4) Complaints for annulment of marriage,
declaration of nullity of marriage and those
relating to marital status and property
relations of husband and wife or those living
together under different status and agreements,
and petitions for dissolution of conjugal
partnership of gains;
(5) Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;
(6) Summary judicial proceedings brought under
the provisions of Executive Order No. 209,
otherwise known as the "Family Code of the
Philippines";
(7) Petitions for declaration of status of children
as abandoned, dependent o neglected
children, petitions for voluntary or involuntary
commitment of children; the suspension,
termination, or restoration of parental authority
and other cases cognizable under Presidential
Decree No. 603, Executive Order No. 56,
(Series of 1986), and other related laws;
(8) Petitions for the constitution of the family
home;
(9) Cases against minors cognizable under the
Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
(10) Violations of Republic Act No. 7610,
otherwise known as the "Special Protection of
Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and
Discrimination Act," as amended by Republic
Act No. 7658; and
(11) Cases of domestic violence against women and
children (RA 9262).
*If any question involving any of the above matters
should arise as an incident in any case pending in the
regular courts, said incident shall be determined in that
court.
D. SANDIGANBAYAN
(Sec 4 RA 8249, amended by RA 10660)
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction* over:
(1) Violations of Republic Act No. 3019, as
amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act No.
1379, and Chapter II, Section 2, Title VII,
Book II of the Revised Penal Code, 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:
i) 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:
1) Provincial governors,
vice-governors, members of the
sangguniang panlalawigan, and
provincial treasurers, assessors,
engineers, and other provincial
department heads:
2) City mayors, vice-mayors,
members of the sangguniang
panlungsod, city treasurers,
assessors, engineers, and other
city department heads;
3) Officials of the diplomatic
service occupying the position
of consul and higher;
4) Philippine army and air force
colonels, naval captains, and all
officers of higher rank; investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint
5) Officers of the Philippine
National Police while occupying
the position of provincial director
and those holding the rank of
senior superintendent and
higher;
6) City and provincial prosecutors
and their assistants, and
officials and prosecutors in the
Office of the Ombudsman and
special prosecutor;
7) Presidents, directors or trustees,
or managers of
government-owned or controlled
corporations, state universities
or educational institutions or
foundations.
ii) Members of Congress and officials
thereof classified as Grade 27 and
higher under the Compensation and
Position Classification Act of 1989;
iii) Members of the judiciary without
prejudice to the provisions of the
Constitution;
iv) Chairmen and members of the
Constitutional Commissions, without
prejudice to the provisions of the
Constitution; and
v) All other national and local officials
classified as Grade 27 and higher
under the Compensation and Position
Classification Act of 1989.
b) Other offenses or felonies whether simple or
complexed with other crimes committed by
the public officials and employees mentioned
above
c) Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and
in connection with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2,
14 and 14-A, issued in 1986.
*EXCEPTION: The Regional Trial Court shall have
exclusive original jurisdiction where the information:
(a) does not allege any damage to the
government or any bribery; or
(b) alleges damage to the government or bribery
arising from the same or closely related
transactions or acts in an amount not
exceeding One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
(RA 6770)
Powers of the Ombudsman include the power to
by any person, any act or omission of any public
officer or employee, office or agency, when such act
or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or
inefficient. It has primary jurisdiction over cases
cognizable by the Sandiganbayan and, in the exercise
of his primary jurisdiction, it may take over, at any stage,
from any investigatory agency of government, the
investigation of such cases.
E. COURT OF TAX APPEALS
(RA 1125, as amended by RA 9282)
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction to review by appeal:
(1) Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes,
fees or other charges, penalties in relation
thereto, or other matters arising under the
National Internal Revenue or other laws
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue;
(2) Inaction by the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes,
fees or other charges, penalties in relations
 thereto, or other matters arising under the
National Internal Revenue Code or other laws
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue,
where the National Internal Revenue Code
provides a specific period of action, in which
case the inaction shall be deemed a denial;
(3) Decisions, orders or resolutions of the
Regional Trial Courts in local tax cases
originally decided or resolved by them in the
exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction;
(4) Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs
in cases involving liability for customs
duties, fees or other money charges, seizure,
detention or release of property affected, fines,
forfeitures or other penalties in relation thereto,
or other matters arising under the Customs Law
or other laws administered by the Bureau of
Customs;
(5) Decisions of the Central Board of
Assessment Appeals in the exercise of its
appellate jurisdiction over cases involving the
assessment and taxation of real property
originally decided by the provincial or city board
of assessment appeals;
(6) Decisions of the Secretary of Finance on
customs cases elevated to him automatically
for review from decisions of the Commissioner
of Customs which are adverse to the
Government under Section 2315 of the Tariff
and Customs Code;
(7) Decisions of the Secretary of Trade and
Industry, in the case of non-agricultural
product, commodity or article, and the
Secretary of Agriculture in the case of
agricultural product, commodity or article,
involving dumping and countervailing duties
under Section 301 and 302, respectively, of the
Tariff and Customs Code, and safeguard
measures under Republic Act No. 8800, where
either party may appeal the decision to impose
or not to impose said duties.
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction over:
(1) All criminal offenses arising from violations
of the National Internal Revenue Code or
Tariff and Customs Code and other laws
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
or the Bureau of Customs
PROVIDED, that regular Courts have
jurisdiction if the principal amount
involved is less than PHP1M or where
there is no specified amount claimed.
CTA will be appellate.
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction (in criminal
offenses) over:
(1) Appeals from the judgments, resolutions or
orders of the Regional Trial Courts in tax
cases originally decided by them, in their
respectful territorial jurisdiction.
(2) Petitions for review of the judgments,
resolutions or orders of the Regional Trial
Courts in the exercise of their appellate
jurisdiction over tax cases originally decided
by the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their
respective jurisdiction.
(3) Jurisdiction over tax collection cases as
herein provided:
(a) Exclusive original jurisdiction in tax
collection cases involving final and
executory assessments for taxes, fees,
charges and penalties: PROVIDED,
That if principal amount is less than
PHP 1M, MTC, and RTC have
jurisdiction.
(b) Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in tax
collection cases:
(i) Over appeals from the
judgments, resolutions or orders
of the Regional Trial Courts in
tax collection cases originally
decided by them, in their
respective territorial jurisdiction.
(ii) Over petitions for review of the
judgments, resolutions or orders
of the Regional Trial Courts in
the Exercise of their appellate
jurisdiction over tax
collection cases originally
decided by the Metropolitan
Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit
Trial Courts, in their respective
jurisdiction.
F. COURT OF APPEALS
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction over:
(1) Actions for annulment of judgements of
Regional Trial Courts (Sec 9(3) BP 129)
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction over:
(1) 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
(Sec 9(3) BP 129)
Exception: those falling within the
appellate jurisdiction of:
(i) Supreme Court in accordance
with the Constitution,
(ii) the Labor Code
(iii) the provisions of this Act, and
(iv) of subparagraph (1) of the third
paragraph and subparagraph 4
of the fourth paragraph of
Section 17 of the Judiciary Act
of 1948
(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax,
impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty
imposed 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. (Sec 5(2) Art VIII 1987
Constitution)

Original Jurisdiction over:

(1) The issuance of writs of mandamus,
prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and
quo warranto, and auxiliary writs or
processes, whether or not in aid of its appellate
jurisdiction (Sec 9(1) BP 129)

G. SUPREME COURT
(Sec 1 Art VIII 1987 Constitution)
The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court
and in such lower courts as may be established by law.
Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice
to settle actual controversies involving rights which
are legally demandable and enforceable, and to
determine whether or not there has been a grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of
the Government.

Original Jurisdiction over:

(1) Cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, and over petitions for
certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, and habeas corpus. (Sec 5(1) Art
VIII 1987 Constitution)

SC has the power to:

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