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Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in Criminal Cases July 29, 2010 1. MTC, MeTC (Secs. 32 33, !" 129 as amended #y $% &'91, and Sec. (, $% &'91) Sec. 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in Criminal Cases. * +,cept in cases fallin- .ithin the e,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction of $e-ional Trial Courts and of the Sandi-an#ayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall e,ercise1 (1) +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er all /iolations of city or municipal ordinances committed .ithin their respecti/e territorial 0urisdiction2 and (2) +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er all offenses punisha#le .ith imprisonment not e,ceedin- si, (') years irrespecti/e of the amount of fine, and re-ardless of other imposa#le accessory or other penalties, includin- the ci/il lia#ility arisin- from such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespecti/e of 3ind, nature, /alue or amount thereof1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, That in offenses in/ol/indama-e to property throu-h criminal ne-li-ence, they shall ha/e e,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction thereof. Sec. 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in Ci/il Cases. Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall e,ercise1 (1) +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er ci/il actions and pro#ate proceedin-s, testate and intestate, includin- the -rant of pro/isional remedies in proper cases, .here the /alue of the personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not e,ceed 4ne hundred thousand pesos ("100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila .here such personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not e,ceed T.o hundred thousand pesos ("200,000.00), e,clusi/e of interest, dama-es of .hate/er 3ind, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses, and costs, the amount of .hich must #e specifically alle-ed1 "ro/ided, That interest, dama-es of .hate/er 3ind, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses, and costs shall #e included in the determination of the filin- fees1 "ro/ided, further, That .here there are se/eral claims or causes of actions #et.een the same or different parties, em#odied in the same complaint, the amount of the demand shall #e the totality of the claims in all the causes of action, irrespecti/e of .hether the causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions2 (2) +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er cases of forci#le entry and unla.ful detainer1 "ro/ided, That .hen, in such cases, the defendant raises the 6uestions of o.nership in his pleadin-s and the 6uestion of possession cannot #e resol/ed .ithout decidinthe issue of o.nership, the issue of o.nership shall #e resol/ed only to determine the issue of possession2 and (3) +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction in all ci/il actions .hich in/ol/e title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein .here the assessed /alue of the property or interest therein does not e,ceed T.enty thousand pesos ("20,000.00) or, in ci/il actions in Metro Manila, .here such assessed /alue does not e,ceed 7ifty thousand pesos ("(0,000.00) e,clusi/e of interest, dama-es of .hate/er 3ind, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses and costs1 "ro/ided, That in cases of land not declared for ta,ation purposes, the /alue of such property shall #e determined #y the assessed /alue of the ad0acent lots. $% &'91, Sec. (. %fter fi/e (() years (1999) from the effecti/ity of this %ct (1998), the 0urisdictional amounts mentioned in ,,, Sec. 33 (1) of !atas "am#ansa !l-. 129 as amended #y this %ct, shall #e ad0usted to T.o hundred thousand pesos ("200,000.00). 7i/e (() years thereafter (2008), such 0urisdictional amounts shall #e ad0usted further to Three hundred thousand pesos ("300,000.00)1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, That in the case of Metro Manila, the a#o/ementioned 0urisdictional amounts shall #e ad0usted after fi/e (() years (1999) from the effecti/ity of this %ct (1998) to 7our hundred thousand pesos ("800,000,00). Jurisdiction of the MTC

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Criminal Cases * (e,cept in cases fallin- .ithin the e,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction of $e-ional Trial Courts and of the Sandi-an#ayan) e,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er all /iolations of city or municipal ordinances committed .ithin their respecti/e territorial 0urisdiction2 and all offenses punisha#le .ith imprisonment not e,ceedin- ' years 1) irrespecti/e of the amount of fine, and 2) re-ardless of other imposa#le accessory or other penalties 3) includin- the ci/il lia#ility arisin- from such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespecti/e of 3ind, nature, /alue or amount thereof Ci/il Cases * +,clusi/e ori-inal 0urisdiction o/er Ci/il actions and pro#ate proceedin-s .here the /alue of the personal property, estate, or amount of the demand 1) does not e,ceed a) "200,000 outside Metro Manila ("300,000 #y 2008) #) "800,000 in Metro Manila 2) e,clusi/e of interest, dama-es of .hate/er 3ind, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses, and costs, the amount of .hich must #e specifically alle-ed (#ut interest, dama-es, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses, and costs shall #e included in the determination of the filin- fees) 3) .here there are se/eral claims or causes of actions #et.een the same or different parties, em#odied in the same complaint, the amount of the demand shall #e the totality of the claims in all the causes of action, irrespecti/e of .hether the causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions cases of forci#le entry and unla.ful detainer (.hen, in such cases, the defendant raises the 6uestions of o.nership in his pleadin-s and the 6uestion of possession cannot #e resol/ed .ithout decidin- the issue of o.nership, the issue of o.nership shall #e resol/ed only to determine the issue of possession) actions .hich in/ol/e title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein .here the assessed /alue of the property or interest therein 1) does not e,ceed a) "20,000 outside Metro Manila #) "(0,000 in Metro Manila 2) e,clusi/e of interest, dama-es of .hate/er 3ind, attorney5s fees, liti-ation e,penses and costs1 3) in cases of land not declared for ta,ation purposes, the /alue of such property shall #e determined #y the assessed /alue of the ad0acent lots. "$4C+9:$+ ;< T=+ M:<;C;"%> T$;%> C4:$TS2 S:MM%$? "$4C+9:$+ Cate-ory1 Criminal "rocedure $:>+ 123 "$4C+9:$+ ;< T=+ M:<;C;"%> T$;%> C4:$TS Section 1. :niform "rocedure. * The procedure to #e o#ser/ed in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall #e the same as in the $e-ional Trial Courts, e,cept .here a particular pro/ision applies only to either of said courts and in criminal cases -o/erned #y the $e/ised $ule on Summary "rocedure. @=%T ;S S:MM%$? "$4C+9:$+A "rocedure .herein the court decides the case throu-h the e/idence and affida/its presented #y the parties $+S4>:T;4< 47 T=+ C4:$T +< !%<C 9%T+9 4CT4!+$ 1(, 1991 "$4B;9;<C 74$ T=+ $+B;S+9 $:>+ 4< S:MM%$? "$4C+9:$+ 74$ M+T$4"4>;T%< T$;%> C4:$TS, M:<;C;"%> T$;%> C4:$TS ;< C;T;+S, M:<;C;"%> T$;%> C4:$TS %<9 M:<;C;"%> C;$C:;T T$;%> C4:$TS. ;. %pplica#ility Section 1. Scope. D This rule shall -o/ern the summary procedure in the Metropolitan Trial Courts, the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, the Municipal Trial Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in the follo.in- cases fallin- .ithin their 0urisdiction1 ,,, ,,, ,,, !. Criminal Cases1 (1) Biolations of traffic la.s, rules and re-ulations2

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(2) Biolations of the rental la.2 (3) Biolations of municipal or city ordinances2 (8) %ll other criminal cases .here the penalty prescri#ed #y la. for the offense char-ed is imprisonment not e,ceedin- si, months, or a fine not e,ceedin- ("1,000.00), or #oth, irrespecti/e of other imposa#le penalties, accessory or other.ise, or of the ci/il lia#ility arisin- therefrom1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, that in offenses in/ol/in- dama-e to property throu-h criminal ne-li-ence, this $ule shall -o/ern .here the imposa#le fine does not e,ceed ten thousand pesos ("10,000.00). This $ule shall not apply to a ci/il case .here the plaintiffs cause of action is pleaded in the same complaint .ith another cause of action su#0ect to the ordinary procedure2 nor to a criminal case .here the offense char-ed is necessarily related to another criminal case su#0ect to the ordinary procedure. Sec. 2. 9etermination of applica#ility. D :pon the filin- of a ci/il or criminal action, the court shall issue an order declarin- .hether or not the case shall #e -o/erned #y this $ule. % patently erroneous determination to a/oid the application of the $ule on Summary "rocedure is a -round for disciplinary action. @=%T %$+ T=+ C$;M;<%> C%S+S 7%>>;<C :<9+$ T=+ $:>+S 47 S:MM%$? "$4C+9:$+A 1. Biolations of traffic la.s, rules and re-ulations 2. Biolations of the rental la. 3. Biolations of municipal or city ordinances 8. %ll other criminal cases .here the penalty prescri#ed #y la. for the offense char-ed is imprisonment not e,ceedin- si, months, or a fine not e,ceedin- ("1,000.00), or #oth, irrespecti/e of other imposa#le penalties, accessory or other.ise, or of the ci/il lia#ility arisin- therefrom1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, that in offenses in/ol/indama-e to property throu-h criminal ne-li-ence, this $ule shall -o/ern .here the imposa#le fine does not e,ceed ten thousand pesos ("10,000.00). ,,, ,,, ,,, ;;;. Criminal Cases Sec. 11. =o. commenced. D The filin- of criminal cases fallin- .ithin the scope of this $ule shall #e either #y complaint or #y information1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, that in Metropolitan Manila and in Chartered Cities, such cases shall #e commenced only #y information, e,cept .hen the offense cannot #e prosecuted de oficio. The complaint or information shall #e accompanied #y the affida/its of the compliant and of his .itnesses in such num#er of copies as there are accused plus t.o (2) copies for the courtEs files. ;f this re6uirement is not complied .ith .ithin fi/e (() days from date of filin-, the case may #e dismissed. =4@ ;S % C$;M;<%> C%S+ C4MM+<C+9 ;< % S:MM%$? "$4C+9:$+A The filin- of criminal cases fallin- .ithin the scope of this $ule shall #e either #y complaint or #y information1 "ro/ided, ho.e/er, that in Metropolitan Manila and in Chartered Cities, such cases shall #e commenced only #y information, e,cept .hen the offense cannot #e prosecuted de oficio. The complaint or information shall #e accompanied #y the affida/its of the compliant and of his .itnesses in such num#er of copies as there are accused plus t.o (2) copies for the courtEs files. ;f this re6uirement is not complied .ith .ithin fi/e (() days from date of filin-, the case may #e dismissed Sec. 12. 9uty of court. D (a) ;f commenced #y compliant. D 4n the #asis of the compliant and the affida/its and other e/idence accompanyinthe same, the court may dismiss the case outri-ht for #einpatently .ithout #asis or merit and order the release of the accused if in custody. (#) ;f commenced #y information. D @hen the case is commenced #y information, or is not dismissed pursuant to the

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ne,t precedin- para-raph, the court shall issue an order .hich, to-ether .ith copies of the affida/its and other e/idence su#mitted #y the prosecution, shall re6uire the accused to su#mit his counter affida/it and the affida/its of his .itnesses as .ell as any e/idence in his #ehalf, ser/in- copies thereof on the complainant or prosecutor not later than ten (10) days from receipt of said order. The prosecution may file reply affida/its .ithin ten (10) days after receipt of the counter affida/its of the defense. @=%T S=4:>9 T=+ MTC 7;$ST 94 @=+<+B+$ ;<74$M%T;4< ;S 7;>+9A @hen the case is commenced #y information, or isn5t dismissed, the court shall issue an order .hich, to-ether .ith the affida/its and other e/idence su#mitted #y the prosecution, S=%>> $+F:;$+ T=+ %CC:S+9 T4 S:!M;T =;S C4:<T+$ %77;9%B;T %<9 T=+ %77;9%B;TS 47 =;S @;T<+SS+S %S @+>> %S %<? +B;9+<C+ ;< =;S !+=%>7 Copies of the a#o/e shall #e ser/ed thereof to the complainant or prosecutor not later than 10 days from receipt of said order The prosecution may also #e allo.ed to file reply affida/its .ithin 10 days after receipt of the counter affida/its of the defense Sec. 13. %rrai-nment and trial. D Should the court, upon a consideration of the complaint or information and the affida/its su#mitted #y #oth parties, find no cause or -round to hold the accused for trial, it shall order the dismissal of the case2 other.ise, the court shall set the case for arrai-nment and trial. ;f the accused is in custody for the crime char-ed, he shall #e immediately arrai-ned and if he enters a plea of -uilty, he shall forth.ith #e sentenced. Sec. 18. "reliminary conference. D !efore conductin- the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference durin.hich a stipulation of facts may #e entered into, or the propriety of allo.in- the accused to enter a plea of -uilty to a lesser offense may #e considered, or such other matters may #e ta3en up to clarify the issues and to ensure a speedy disposition of the case. =o.e/er, no admission #y the accused shall #e used a-ainst him unless reduced to .ritinand si-ned #y the accused and his counsel. % refusal or failure to stipulate shall not pre0udice the accused. @=+< 94+S % "$+>;M;<%$? C4<7+$+<C+ T%G+ ">%C+A @=%T =%""+<S 9:$;<C % "$+>;M;<%$? C4<7+$+<C+A !efore conductin- the trial, the court shall call the parties to a preliminary conference durin- .hichD 1. Stipulation of facts may #e entered into 2. The propriety of allo.in- the accused to plead -uilty to a lesser offense may #e considered 3. 4ther matters as may #e ta3en up to clarify the issues and to ensure a speedy disposition of the case Sec. 1(. "rocedure of trial. D %t the trial, the affida/its su#mitted #y the parties shall constitute the direct testimonies of the .itnesses .ho e,ecuted the same. @itnesses .ho testified may #e su#0ected to cross e,amination, redirect or re cross e,amination. Should the affiant fail to testify, his affida/it shall not #e considered as competent e/idence for the party presentin- the affida/it, #ut the ad/erse party may utiliHe the same for any admissi#le purpose. +,cept in re#uttal or surre#uttal, no .itness shall #e allo.ed to testify unless his affida/it .as pre/iously su#mitted to the court in accordance .ith Section 12 hereof. =o.e/er, should a party desire to present additional affida/its or counter affida/its as part of his direct e/idence, he shall so manifest durin- the preliminary conference, statin- the purpose thereof. ;f allo.ed #y the court, the additional affida/its of the prosecution or the counter affida/its of the defense shall #e su#mitted to the court and ser/ed on the ad/erse party not later than three (3) days after the termination of the preliminary conference. ;f the additional affida/its are

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presented #y the prosecution, the accused may file his counter affida/its and ser/e the same on the prosecution .ithin three (3) days from such ser/ice. Sec. 1'. %rrest of accused. D The court shall not order the arrest of the accused e,cept for failure to appear .hene/er re6uired. $elease of the person arrested shall either #e on #ail or on reco-niHance #y a responsi#le citiHen accepta#le to the court. ;7 %< %CC:S+9 ;S C=%$C+9 ;< T=+ M:<;C;"%> T$;%> C4:$T, C%< T=+ C4:$T ;SS:+ % @%$$%<T 47 %$$+ST %C%;<ST T=+ %CC:S+9A The court shall not order the arrest of the accused e,cept for failure to appear .hene/er re6uired. $elease of the person arrested shall either #e on #ail or on reco-niHance #y a responsi#le citiHen accepta#le to the court. Sec. 1&. Jud-ment. D @here a trial has #een conducted, the court shall promul-ate the 0ud-ment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial. @=+< 94+S T=+ C4:$T <++9 T4 "$4M:>C%T+ J:9CM+<TA @here a trial has #een conducted, the court shall promul-ate the 0ud-ment not later than thirty (30) days after the termination of trial. ;B. C4MM4< "$4B;S;4<S Sec. 1I. $eferral to >upon. D Cases re6uirin- referral to the >upon for conciliation under the pro/isions of "residential 9ecree <o. 1(0I .here there is no sho.in- of compliance .ith such re6uirement, shall #e dismissed .ithout pre0udice and may #e re/i/ed only after such re6uirement shall ha/e #een complied .ith. This pro/ision shall not apply to criminal cases .here the accused .as arrested .ithout a .arrant. C%< T=+ MTC $+7+$ T=+ C%S+ T4 T=+ >:"4<A ?es The e,ception is .hen the accused has #een arrested .ithout .arrant. @=%T =%""+<S @=+< T=+$+ =%S !++< <4 C4M">;%<C+ @;T= T=+ $+F:;$+M+<T T=%T T=+$+ S=4:>9 !+ 7;$ST C4<C;>;%T;4< "$4C++9;<CS ;< T=+ >:"4<A The court may dismiss the case .ithout pre0udice ;t may also re/i/e the case only after such re6uirement shall ha/e #een complied .ith This pro/ision shall not apply in criminal cases .herein the accused has #een arrested la.fully .ithout a .arrant of arrest. Sec. 19. "rohi#ited pleadin-s and motions. D The follo.in- pleadin-s, motions or petitions shall not #e allo.ed in the cases co/ered #y this $ule1 (a) Motion to dismiss the complaint or to 6uash the complaint or information e,cept on the -round of lac3 of 0urisdiction o/er the su#0ect matter, or failure to comply .ith the precedin- section2 (#) Motion for a #ill of particulars2 (c) Motion for ne. trial, or for reconsideration of a 0ud-ment, or for openin- of trial2 (d) "etition for relief from 0ud-ment2 (e) Motion for e,tension of time to file pleadin-s, affida/its or any other paper2 (f) Memoranda2 (-) "etition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohi#ition a-ainst any interlocutory order issued #y the court2 (h) Motion to declare the defendant in default2 (i) 9ilatory motions for postponement2 (0) $eply2 (3) Third party complaints2 (l) ;nter/entions. Sec. 20. %ffida/its. D The affida/its re6uired to #e su#mitted under this $ule shall state only facts of direct personal 3no.led-e of the affiants .hich are admissi#le in e/idence, and shall sho. their competence to testify to the matters stated therein. % /iolation of this re6uirement may su#0ect the party or the counsel .ho su#mits the same to disciplinary action, and shall #e

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cause to e,pun-e the inadmissi#le affida/it or portion thereof from the record. @=%T ;S $+F:;$+9 ;< T=+ S:!M;SS;4< 47 %77;9%B;TS ;< % S:MM%$? "$4C++9;<CA The affida/its re6uired to #e su#mitted under this $ule shall state only facts of direct personal 3no.led-e of the affiants .hich are admissi#le in e/idence, and shall sho. their competence to testify to the matters stated therein. Sec. 21. %ppeal. D The 0ud-ment or final order shall #e appeala#le to the appropriate $e-ional Trial Court .hich shall decide the same in accordance .ith Section 22 of !atas "am#ansa !l-. 129. The decision of the $e-ional Trial Court in ci/il cases -o/erned #y this $ule, includin- forci#le entry and unla.ful detainer, shall #e immediately e,ecutory, .ithout pre0udice to a further appeal that may #e ta3en therefrom. Section 10 of $ule &0 shall #e deemed repealed. Sec. 22. %pplica#ility of the re-ular rules. D The re-ular procedure prescri#ed in the $ules of Court shall apply to the special cases herein pro/ided for in a suppletory capacity insofar as they are not inconsistent here.ith. Sec. 13. %ppointment of counsel de officio for accused on appeal. ;t shall #e the duty of the cler3 of court of the trial court, upon filin- of a notice of appeal to ascertain from the appellant, if confined in prison, .hether he desires the $e-ional Trial Court, Court of %ppeals or the Supreme Court to appoint a counsel de officio to defend him and to transmit .ith the record on a form to #e prepared #y the cler3 of court of the appellate court, a certificate of compliance .ith this duty and of the response of the appellate to his in6uiry. ;S C4:<S+> 9+ 477;C;4 ST;>> $+F:;$+9 T4 $+"$+S+<T =;S C>;+<T 4< %""+%>A ?es, the duty of counsel de officio doesn5t terminate upon 0ud-ment of the case ;t continues until appeal @ithdra.al of appeal 9etails Cate-ory1 Criminal "rocedure Sec. 12. @ithdra.al of appeal. <ot.ithstandin- perfection of the appeal, the $e-ional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court, as the case may #e, may allo. the appellant to .ithdra. his appeal #efore the record has #een for.arded #y the cler3 of court to the proper appellate court as pro/ided in section I, in .hich case, the 0ud-ment shall #ecome final. The $e-ional Trial Court may also, in its discretion, allo. the appellant from the 0ud-ment of a Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial Court to .ithdra. his appeal, pro/ided a motion to that effect is filed #efore rendition of the 0ud-ment in the case on appeal, in .hich case the 0ud-ment of the court of ori-in shall #ecome final and the case shall #e remanded to the latter court for e,ecution of the 0ud-ment. C%< %< %""+%> T=%T =%S %>$+%9? !++< "+$7+CT+9 !+ @;T=9$%@< !? T=+ %""+>>%<TA ;f the records ha/e not yet #een transmitted to the appellate court, the court that rendered the 0ud-ment has the discretion to allo. the appellant to .ithdra. the appeal ;f the appeal is .ithdra.n, the 0ud-ment shall #ecome final ;f the records ha/e already #een transmitted to the appellate court, only the appellate court may decide .hether to -rant the motion to .ithdra. the appeal, and not only #efore the 0ud-ment is rendered in the case of appeal +ffect of appeal #y any of se/eral accused Sec. 11. +ffect of appeal #y any of se/eral accused. * (a) %n appeal ta3en #y one or more of se/eral accused shall not affect those .ho did not appeal, e,cept insofar as the 0ud-ment of the appellate court is fa/ora#le and applica#le to the latter. (#) The appeal of the offended party from the ci/il aspect shall not affect the criminal aspect of the 0ud-ment or order appealed from. (c) :pon perfection of the appeal, the e,ecution of the 0ud-ment or final order appealed from shall #e stayed as to the appealin- party.

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% %<9 ! @+$+ C4<B;CT+9 47 M:$9+$. 4<>? % %""+%>+9 7$4M T=+ C4<B;CT;4<. S=4:>9 T=+ 9+C;S;4< 47 T=+ %""+>>%T+ C4:$T !;<9 !A ;t depends. ;f the decision of the appellate court should #e #eneficial to !, then it should affect him ;f the decision .ould not #enefit him, it shouldn5t #ind him @=%T ;S T=+ +77+CT 47 T=+ %""+%> !? T=+ 477+<9+9 "%$T? 47 T=+ C;B;> %S"+CT 47 T=+ J:9CM+<T 4< T=+ C$;M;<%> %S"+CTA <othin-

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