HIERARCHY OF COURTS

JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT

(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.

(2) 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 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. (Section 5, Article VIII, 1987
Constitution)

JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS

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.
(Section 9(1), B.P. 129, as amended by R.A. 7902)
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for the annulment of judgments of Regional Trial
Courts (Section 9(2), B.P. 129, as amended by R.A. 7902)
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments, decisions, resolutions, orders or
awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies (Section 9(1), B.P. 129, as amended
by R.A. 7902)

JURISDICTION OF SANDIGANBAYAN

a. Violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act 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, specifically including:

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

provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other provincial department heads:

(b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurers,
assessors, engineers, and other city 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;

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 (e) Officers of the Philippine National Police while occupying the position of provincial director
and those holding the rank of senior superintendent and higher;

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

(g) Presidents, 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 higher under the
Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989;

(3) Members of the judiciary without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution;

(4) Chairmen and members of the Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice to the provisions
of the Constitution; and

(5) 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 in subsection a. of this section in relation to their office.
c. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 and
14-A, issued in 1986. (Section 2, RA 10660)

JURISDICTION OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

I. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL

A. CIVIL CASES

Cases where the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;

Actions involving the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein, where
the assessed value of the property involved exceeds P20,000, or, for civil actions in Metro
Manila, where such value exceeds P50,000 except actions for forcible entry and unlawful
detainer of lands and buildings;

In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where he demand or claim exceeds
P300,000.00, or in Metro Manila, where such demand exceeds P400,000.00;

In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate
exceeds P300,000.00 or, in Metro Manila, where such gross value exceeds P400,000.00;

In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations;

In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body
exercising jurisdiction;

In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction
of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of the Court of Agrarian Relations as now
provided by law; and

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
amounts to more than P300,000.00 or in such other cases in Metro Manila, where the
demand, exclusive of the aforementioned items exceeds P400,000.00. (Section 19, BP
129, as amended by RA 7691)

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 B. CRIMINAL CASES

RTC exercises original exclusive jurisdiction involving offenses where the imposable penalties are
imprisonments exceeding 6 years, irrespective of the amount of fine.

II. ORIGINAL

Issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and
injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions (concurrent with
SC and CA).

In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls (concurrent with
SC).

Over offenses committed NOT in relation with public office with imprisonment exceeding 6
years committed by public officers classified as salary grade 27 or higher

Over election contests for municipal offices.

III. APPELLATE

All cases decided by the lower courts (MTCs) in their respective territorial jurisdictions.

JURISDICTION OF THE MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS AND

THE MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

A. EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL

1. CIVIL CASES

a. Civil actions and probate proceedings, testate and intestate, including the grant of provisional
remedies where the demand, exclusive of interest, damages, attorney’s fees and costs, does
not exceed P300,000, or in Metro Manila, where such demand does not exceed P400,000.00;
b. Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer; issue of
ownership resolved only to determine issue of possession.

After lapse of 1 year, MTC loses jurisdiction, and case becomes one for recovery of possession de
jure (accion publicicana), although MTC may still have jurisdiction if value of property does not
exceed P20,000/50,000.

c. Actions involving personal property valued at not more than P300,000 or, in Metro Manila,
where such value does not exceed 400,000.

d. Actions involving title or possession of real property where the assessed value does not exceed
P20,000 or, for civil actions in Metro Manila, where such value does not exceed P50,000

2. CRIMINAL CASES

a. Violations of city or municipal ordinances.

b. All offenses punishable with not more than 6 years imprisonment, irrespective of fine.

c. All offenses punishable by only a fine of not more than P4,000.

d. Offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence.

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3. ELECTION CASES

Offense of failure to register or failure to vote.

Election contests for barangay offices.

B. DELEGATED JURISDICTION in cadastral and land registration cases covering:

1. Lots where there is no controversy or opposition; OR

2. Contested lots the value of which does not exceed P100,000.

decisions of the MTC in these cases are appealable to the CA

JURISDICTION OF THE FAMILY COURTS

Family Courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and decide the following cases:

Criminal cases where:

a. One or more of the accused is below eighteen (18) years of age but not less than nine (9)
years of age, OR

b. 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 the "Child and Youth Welfare Code";

c. Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to the latter;
d. Petitions for adoption of children and the revocation thereof;

e. Complaints [for]:
 Annulment of marriage
 Declaration of nullity of marriage
 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;

f. Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;

g. Summary judicial proceedings brought under the provisions of the "Family Code of the
Philippines";

h. Petitions for Declaration of status of children as Abandoned Dependent OR Neglected children,

Voluntary or involuntary commitment of children; The suspension, termination, or restoration
of parental authority and other cases cognizable under "Child and Youth Welfare Code",
Executive Order No. 56, (Series of 1986), and other related laws;

i. Petitions for the constitution of the family home;

j. Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
k. 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

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 l. Cases of domestic violence against:

Women

Acts of gender based violence that results, or are likely to result in physical, sexual or
psychological harm or suffering to women; and other forms of physical abuse such as battering
or threats and coercion which violate a woman's personhood, integrity and freedom of
movement; AND

Children

includes the commission of all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, violence, and
discrimination and all other conditions prejudicial to their development.

If an act constitutes a criminal offense, the accused shall be subject to criminal proceedings
and the corresponding penalties.

Decisions and orders of the court shall be appealed in the same manner and subject to the same
conditions as appeals from the ordinary Regional Trial Courts.

JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX APPEALS

EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION over:

* Decisions of the BIR in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of taxes, fees or other
charges, penalties imposed in relation thereto, or other matters arising under the NIRC; and

* 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
matters arising penalties imposed in relation thereto; and other matters arising under the Customs Law.

JURISDICTION OF THE SHARI’A COURTS (P.D. 1083)

I. SHARI’A DISTRICT COURT

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL jurisdiction:

a. All cases involving custody, guardianship, legitimacy, paternity and filiation arising under the
Code of Muslim Personal Laws;
b. Petitions for the 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 the Code of Muslim
Personal Law;
c. All actions arising from customary contracts in which the parties are Muslims, if they have not
specified which law shall govern their relations; and
d. All petitions for mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpus, and all other
auxiliary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction.

CONCURRENT jurisdiction:

a. Petitions by Muslims for the constitution of a family home, change of name and commitment
of an insane person to an asylum;
b. All other personal and real actions not mentioned in paragraph 1 (d) wherein the parties
involved are Muslims except those for forcible entry and unlawful detainer, which shall fall
under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Municipal Circuit Court; and
c. All special civil actions for interpleader or declaratory relief wherein the parties are Muslims or
the property involved belongs exclusively to Muslims.

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APPELLATE jurisdiction:

over all cases tried in the Shari'a Circuit Courts within their territorial jurisdiction.

II. SHARI’A CIRCUIT COURT

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

a. All cases involving offenses defined and punished under the Code of Muslim Personal Law.
b. All civil actions and proceedings between parties who are Muslims or have been married in
accordance with Article 13 involving disputes relating to: (a) Marriage; (b) Divorce recognized
under this Code; (c) Betrothal or breach of contract to marry; (d) Customary dower (mahr);
(e) Disposition and distribution of property upon divorce; (f) Maintenance and support, and
consolatory gifts, (mut'a); and (g) Restitution of marital rights.
c. All cases involving disputes relative to communal properties.

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