BATAS PAMBANSA Blg.

129 AN ACT REORGANIZING THE JUDICIARY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES PRELIMINARY CHAPTER Sec !"# 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 " Sec !"# 2. Scope. The reorganization herein !ro"ided shall include the #ourt of A!!eals$ the #ourt of %irst &nstance$ the #ircuit #ri'inal #ourts$ the Ju"enile and (o'estic Relations #ourts$ the #ourts of Agrarian Relations$ the #ity #ourts$ the )unici!al #ourts$ and the )unici!al #ircuit #ourts CHAPTER I COURT OF APPEALS Sec !"# $. Organization. There is hereby created a #ourt of A!!eals which consists of a *residing Justice and fifty Associate Justice who shall be a!!ointed by the *resident of the *hili!!ines The *residing Justice shall be so designated in his a!!oint'ent$ and the Associate Justice shall ha"e !recedence according to the dates of their res!ecti"e a!!oint'ents$ or when the a!!oint'ents of two or 'ore of the' shall bear the sa'e date$ according to the order in which their a!!oint'ents were issued by the *resident Any 'e'ber who is rea!!ointed to the #ourt after rendering ser"ice in any other !osition in the go"ern'ent shall retain the !recedence to which he was entitled under his original a!!oint'ent$ and his ser"ice in the #ourt shall$ for all intents and !ur!oses$ be considered as continuous and uninterru!ted (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33,, July 2 , !" #.$ Sec !"# %. Exercise o% po&ers and %unctions. The #ourt A!!eals shall e+ercise its !owers$ functions$ and duties$ through se"enteen ,1-. di"isions$ each co'!osed of three ,/. 'e'bers The #ourt 'ay sit en banc only for the !ur!ose of e+ercising ad'inistrati"e$ cere'onial$ or other non0ad1udicatory functions (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33,.$ Sec !"# &. Succession to O%%ice o% 'residing Justice. ( &n case of a "acancy in the absence of inability to !erfor' the !owers$ functions$ and duties of his office$ the associate Justice who is first in !recedence shall !erfor' his !owers$ functions$ and duties until such disability is re'o"ed$ or another *residing Justice is a!!ointed and has 2ualified Sec !"# '. )*o presides o+er session o% a di+ision. ( &f the *residing Justice is !resent in any session of a di"ision of the #ourt$ he shall !reside &n his absence$ the Associate Justice attending such session who has !recedence shall !reside Sec !"# (. ,uali%ications. ( The *residing Justice and the Associate Justice shall ha"e the sa'e 2ualifications as those !ro"ided in #onstitution for Justice of the 3u!re'e #ourt Sec !"# ). -rouping o% .i+isions. ( (Expressly repealed by Section /, Exec. Order No. 33, July 2 , !" #.$ Sec !"# 9. Jurisdiction. ( The #ourt of A!!eals shall 4+ercise5

1 6riginal 1urisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, !rohibition$ certiorari, *abeas corpus, and 0uo &arranto,and au+iliary writs or !rocesses$ whether or not in aid of its a!!ellate 1urisdiction7 8 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction o"er actions for annul'ent of 1udge'ents of Regional Trial #ourts7 and / 4+clusi"e a!!ellate 1urisdiction o"er all final 1udge'ents$ resolutions$ orders or awards of Regional Trial #ourts and 2uasi01udicial agencies$ instru'entalities$ boards or co''ission$ including the 3ecurities and 4+change #o''ission$ the 3ocial 3ecurity #o''ission$ the 4'!loyees #o'!ensation #o''ission and the #i"il 3er"ice #o''ission$ 4+ce!t those falling within the a!!ellate 1urisdiction of the 3u!re'e #ourt in accordance with the #onstitution$ the 9abor #ode of the *hili!!ines under *residential (ecree :o ;;8$ as a'ended$ the !ro"isions of this Act$ and of sub!aragra!h ,1. of the third !aragra!h and sub!aragra!h ; of the fourth !aragra!h od 3ection 1- of the Judiciary Act of 19;8 The court of A!!eals shall ha"e the !ower to try cases and conduct hearings$ recei"e e"idence and !erfor' any and all acts necessary to resol"e factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and a!!ellate 1urisdiction$ including the !ower to grant and conduct new trials or A!!eals 'ust be continuous and 'ust be co'!leted within three ,/. 'onths$ unless e+tended by the #hief Justice (as amended by 1.2. No. 3"42.$ Sec !"# 1*. 'lace o% *olding sessions. ( The #ourt of A!!eals shall ha"e its !er'anent station in the #ity of )anila <hene"er de'anded by !ublic interest$ the 3u!re'e #ourt$ u!on its own initiati"e or u!on reco''endation of the *residing Justice$ 'ay authorize a di"ision of the #ourt to hold sessions outside )anila$ !eriodically$ or for such !eriods and at such !laces as the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine$ for the !ur!ose of hearing and deciding cases Sec !"# 11. ,uorum ( A 'a1ority of the actual 'e'bers of the #ourt shall constitute a 2uoru' for its session en banc. Three 'e'bers shall constitute a 2uoru' for the session of a di"ision The unani'ous "ote of the three 'e'bers of a di"ision shall be necessary for the !ronounce'ent of a decision of final resolution$ which shall be reached in consultation before the writing of the o!inion by any 'e'bers of the di"ision &n the e"ent that the three 'e'bers do not reach a unani'ous "ote$ the *residing Justice shall re2uest the Raffle #o''ittee of the #ourt for the designation of two additional Justice to sit te'!orarily with the'$ for'ing a s!ecial di"ision of fi"e 'e'bers and the concurrence of a 'a1ority of such di"ision shall be necessary for the !ronounce'ent of a decision or final resolution The designation of such additional Justice shall be 'ade strictly by raffle A 'onth for reconsideration of its decision or final resolution shall be resol"ed by the #ourt within ninety ,90. days fro' the ti'e it is sub'itted for resolution$ and no second 'otion for reconsideration fro' the sa'e !arty shall be entertain'ent (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33, July 2 , !" #.$ Sec !"# 12. 5nternal 1ules. ( The court en banc is authorized to !ro'ulgate rules or orders go"erning the constitution of the di"isions and the assign'ent of A!!ellate Justices thereto$ the distribution of cases$ and other 'atters !ertaining to the o!erations of the #ourt of its di"isions #o!ies of such rules and orders shall be furnished by the 3u!re'e #ourt$ which rules and

orders shall be effecti"e fifteen ,1=. days after recei!t thereof$ unless directed otherwise by the 3u!re'e #ourt CHAPTER II REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS Sec !"# 1$. 6reation o% 1egional Trial 6ourts. ( There are hereby created thirteen ,1/. Regional Trial #ourts$ one for each of the following 1udicial regions5 The %irst Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of Abra$ >enguet$ &locos :orte$ &locos 3ur$ 9a ?nion$ )ountain *ro"ince$ and *angasinan$ and cities of >aguio$ (agu!an$ 9aog and 3an #arlos7 The 3econd Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of >atanes$ #agayan$ &fugao$ @alinga0 A!ayao$ :ue"a Aiscaya$ and Buirino7 The Third Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of >ataan$ >ulacan ,e+ce!t the 'unici!ality of "alenzuela.$ :ue"a 4ci1a$ *a'!anga$ Tarlac$ and Ca'bales$ and the cities of Angeles$ #abanatuan$ 6longa!o$ *alayan and 3an Jose7 The :ational #a!ital Judicial Region$ consisting of the cities of )anila$ Buezon$ *asay$ #aloocan and )andaluyong$ and the 'unici!alities of :a"otas$ )alabon$ 3an Juan$ )akati$ *asig$ *ateros$ Taguig$ )arikina$ *araDa2ue$ 9as *iDas$ )untinlu!a$ and Aalenzuela7 The %ourth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of >atangas$ #a"ite$ 9aguna$ )arindu2ue$ )indoro 6ccidental$ )indoro 6riental$ *alawan$ Buezon$ Rizal ,e+ce!t the cities and 'unici!alities e'braced within the :ational #a!ital Judicial Region0$ Ro'blon$ and Aurora$ and the cities of >atangas$ #a"ite$ 9i!a$ 9ucena$ *uerto *rincessa$ 3an *ablo$ Tagaytay$ and Trece )artires7 The %ifth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of Albay$ #a'arines 3ur$ #a'arines :orte$ #atanduanes$ )asbate$ and 3orsogon$ and the cities of 9egas!i$ :aga and &riga7 The 3i+th Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of Aklan$ Anti2ue$ #a!iz$ &loilo$ 9a #alota$ Ro+as$ 3an #arlos$ and 3ilay$ and the sub!ro"ince of Eui'aras7 The 3e"enth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of >ohol$ #ebu$ :egros 6riental$ and 3i2ui1or$ and the cities of >ais$ #anlaon$ #ebu$ (anao$ (u'aguete$ 9a!u0la!u$ )andaue$ Tagbilaran$ and Toledo$ The 4ighth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces or 4astern 3a'ar$ 9eyte$ :orthern$ 3a'ar$ 3outhern 9eyte$ 6r'oc$ and Tacloban5 The :inth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of >asilan$ 3ulu$ Tawi0Tawi$ Ca'boanga del 3ur$ and the cities of (a!itan$ (i!olog$ *agadian$ and Ca'boanga7 The Tenth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of Agusan del :orte$ Agusan del 3ur$ >ukidnon$ #a'iguin$ )isa'is 6ccidental$ )isa'is 6riental$ and 3urigao del :orte$ and the cities of >utuan$ #agayan de 6ro$ Eingoog$ 6za'is$ 6ro2uieta$ 3urigao$ and Tangub7

The 4le"enth Judicial Region$ consistingnof the !ro"inces of (a"ao del :orte$ (a"ao 6riental$ (a"ao del 3ur$ 3outh #otabato$ and 3urigao del 3ur$ and the cities of (a"ao$ and Eeneral 3antos7 and The Twelfth Judicial Region$ consisting of the !ro"inces of 9anao del :orte$ 9anao del 3ur$ )aguindanao$ :orth #otabato$ and 3ultan @udarat$ and the cities of #otabato$ &ligan$ and )arawi &n case of transfer or redistribution of the !ro"inces$ sub!ro"inces$ cities or 'unici!alities co'!rising the regions established by law of !ur!oses of the ad'inistrati"e field organization of the "arious de!art'ents and agencies of the go"ern'ent$ the co'!osition of the 1udicial regions herein constituted shall be dee'ed 'odified accordingly Sec !"# 1%. 1egional Trial 6ourts ,a. %ifty0se"en Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the %irst Judicial Region There shall be Two branches ,>ranches &&& ans &&. for the !ro"ince of Abra$ with seats at >angued7 4ight branches ,>ranches &&& to F. for the !ro"ince of >enguet and the city of >aguio$ >ranches &&& to A&& with seats at >aguio #ity$ and >ranches A&&& to F at 9a Trinidad7 :ine branches ,>ranches F& to F&F. for the !ro"ince of &locos :orte and the city of 9aoag$ >ranches F& to FA& with seats at 9aoag #ity$ >ranches FA&& and FA&&& at >atac$ and >ranch F&F at >angui7 3i+ branches ,>raches FF to FFA. for the !ro"ince of &locos 3ur$ >ranches FF and FF& with seats at Aigan$ >ranch FF&& at :ar"acan$ >ranch FF&&& at #andon$ >ranch FF&A at #abugao$ and >ranch FFA at Tagudin7 :ine branches ,>ranches FFA& to FFF&A. for the !ro"ince of 9a ?nion$ >ranches FFA& to FFF with seats at 3an %ernando$ >ranches FFF& and FFF&& at Agoo$ >ranch FFF&&& at >auang$ and >ranch FFF&A at >alaoan7 Two branches ,>ranches FFFA and FFFA&. for the !ro"ince of )ountain !ro"ince$ with seats at >ontoc7 and Twenty0one branches ,>ranches FFFA&& to 9A&&. for the !ro"ince of *angasinan and the citie sof dagu!an and san #arlos$ >ranches FFFA&& to FFF&F with seats at 9ingayen$ >ranches F9 to F9&A at dagu!an$ >ranches F9A to F9&F at ?rdaneta$ >ranch 9 at Aillasis$ >ranches 9& and 9&& at Tayug$ >ranch 9&&& at Rosalaes$ >ranches 9&A and 9A at Ala'inos$ and >ranch 9A& and 9A&& at san #arlos ,b. Thirty0two Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the 3econd Judicial region There shall be5

Twel"e branches ,>ranches & to F&&. for the !ro"ince of #agayan$ >ranches & to A with seats at Tuguegarao$ >ranches A& to F at A!arri$ >ranch F& at Tuao$ and >ranch F&& at 3anchez )ira7 6ne branch ,>ranch F&&&. for the !ro"ince of >atanes$ with seat at >asco7 Two branches ,>ranches F&A and FA. for the !ro"ince of &fugao$ >ranch F&A with seat at 9agawe$ and >ranch FA at *otia7 :ine branches ,>ranches FA& to FF&A. for the !ro"ince of &sabela$ >ranches FA& to FA&&& with seats at &lagan$ >ranches F&F and FF at cauayan$ >ranch FF& at 3antiago$ >ranch FF&& at #abagan$ >ranch FF&&& at Ro+as$ and >ranch FF&A at 4chague7 Two branches ,>ranches FFA and FFA&. for the !ro"ince of kalinga0A!ayao$ >ranch FFA with seat at Tabuk$ and >ranch FFA& at 9una7 %our branches ,>ranches FFA&& to FFF. for the !ro"ince of :ue"a Aizcaya$ >ranches FFA&& to FF&F with seats at >ayo'bong$ and >ranch FFF at >a'bang7 Two branches ,>ranches FFF& and FFF&&. for the !ro"ince of Buirino$ with seats at #abarroguis ,c. 3e"enty0fi"e Regional Trial 1udges shall be co''issioned for the Third Judicial Region There shall be5 %i"e branches ,>ranches & to A. for the !ro"ince of >ataan$ >ranches & to &&& with seats at >alanga$ >ranch &A at )ari"eles$ and >ranch A at (inalu!ihan7 3e"enteen branches ,>ranches A& to FF&&. for the !ro"ince of >ulacan ,e+ce!t the 'unici!ality of Aaluenzuela.$ with seats at )alolos7 4ighteen branches ,>ranches FF&&& to F9. for the !ro"ince of :ue"a 4ci1a and the cities of #abanatuan$ 3an Jose and *alayan$ >ranches FF&&& to FFF with seats at #abanatuan #ity$ >ranches FFF& to FFF&&& at Eui'ba$ >ranches FFF&A to FFFA& at Ea!an$ >ranch FFFA&& at 3to (o'ingo$ >ranches FFFA&&& and FFF&F at 3an Jose$ and >ranch F9 at *alayan Twenty0two branches ,>ranches F9& to 9F&&. for the !ro"ince of *a'!anga and the city of Angeles$ >ranches F9& to F9A&&& with seats at 3an %ernando$ >ranches F9&F to 9&&& at Euagua$ >ranches 9&A and 9A at )acabebe$ and >ranches 9A& to 9F&& at Angeles #ity7 3i+ branches ,>ranches 9F&&& to 9FA&&&. for the !ro"ince of Tarlac$ >ranches 9FA& at #a!as$ >ranch 9FA&& at *ani2ui$ and >ranch 9FA&&& at #a'iling7 and

3e"en branches ,>ranches 9F&F to 9FFA. for the !ro"ince of Ca'bales and the city of 6longa!o$ >ranches 9F&F to 9FF& with seats at &ba and >ranches 9FF&& to 9FFA at 6longa!o #ity ,d. 6ne hundred se"enty0two ,1-8. Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the :ational #a!ital Judicial Region There shall be5 %ifty0fi"e branches ,>ranches 1 to ==. for the #ity of )anila$ wit seats thereat7 Thirty0two branches ,>ranches -G to 10-. for Buezon #ity$ with seats thereat7 Twel"e branches ,>ranches 108 to 119. for *asay #ity$ with seats thereat7 Twel"e branches ,>ranches 180 to 1/1. for #aloocan #ity$ with seats thereat7 %ifty0eight branches ,>ranches =G to -; and 1/8 to 1-0. for the )unici!alities of :a"otas$ )alabon$ 3an Juan$ )adaluyong$ )akati$ *asig$ *ateros$ Taguig$ )arikina$ *araDa2ue$ 9as *iDas$ and )untinlu!a7 >ranches G- to -1 and 1=1 to 1G8 at *asig7 and >ranches -8 to -;$ 1G9 and 1-0 at )alabon7 and Three branches ,>ranches -=$ 1-1 and 1-8. for the 'unici!ality of Aalenzuela$ with seats thereat ,As a'ended by 46 :o //$ July /0$ 198G . ,e. 4ihty0two Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the %ourth Judicial Region There shall be5 %ourteen branches ,>ranches & to F&A. for the !ro"ince of >atangas and the cities of 9i!a and >atangas$ >ranches & to A& with seats at >atangas #ity$ >ranch A at 9e'ery$ >ranches A& to A&&& at Tanuan$ >ranches &F to F& at >alayan$ >ranches F&& and F&&& at 9i!a$ and >ranch F&A at :asugbu7 :ine branches ,>ranches FA to FF&&&. for the !ro"ince of #a"ite and the cities of #a"ite$ Tagaytay and Trece )atires$ >ranch FA with seat at :aic$ >ranches FA&& at #a"ite #ity$ >ranch FA&&& at Tagayatay #ity$ >ranch F&F at >acoor$ >ranches FF to FF&& at &'us$ and >ranch FF&&& at Trece )artires7 %ourteen branches ,>ranches FF&A to FFFA&&. for the !ro"ince of 9aguna and the city of 3an *ablo$ >ranches FFA&&& at 3ta #ruz$ >ranches FF&F to FFF&& at 3an *able #ity$ >ranch FFF&&& at 3iniloan$ and >ranches FFF&A to FFFA& at #ala'ba7 6ne branch ,>ranch FFFA&&&. for the !ro"ince of )arindu2ue$ with seat at >oac7 %i"e branches ,>ranches FFF&F to F9&&&. for the !ro"ince of )indoro 6riental$ >ranches FFF&F to F9 with seats at #ala!an$ >ranches F9& and F9&& at *ina'alayan$ and >ranch F9&& at Ro+as7 Three branches ,>ranches F9A&& to F9A&. for the !ro"ince of )indoro 6ccidental$ >ranch F9&A with seat at )a'burao$ and >ranches F9A and F9A& at 3an Jose7

3i+ branches ,>ranches F9A&& to 9&&. for the !ro"ince of *alawan and the city of *uerto *rincesa$ with seats at *uerto *rincesa #ity7 Thirteen branches ,>ranches 9&&& to 9FA. for the !ro"ince of Buezon and the city of 9ucena$ >ranches 9&&& to 9F with seats at 9ucena #ity$ >ranches 9F& and 9F&& at Eu'aca$ >ranch 9F&&& at #alauag$ >ranch 9F&A at )auban$ and >ranch 9FA at &nfanta7 6ne branch1,>ranch 9FA&. for the !ro"ince of Aurora$ with seat at >aler7 %ourteen branches ,>ranches 9FA&& to 9FFF. for the !ro"ince of Rizal e+ce!t the cities and 'unici!alities e'braced within the :ational #a!ital Judicial Region$ >ranches 9FA&& to 9FF with seats at >inangonan$ >ranches 9FF& to 9FF&A at Anti!olo$ >ranches 9FFA to 9FFA&& at 3an )ateo$ and >ranches 9FFA&&& to 9FFF at )orong7 and Two branches ,>ranches 9FFF& and 9FFF&&. for the !ro"ince of Ro'blon$ >ranch 9FFF& with seat at Ro'blon$ and >ranch 9FFF&& at 6diongan ,f. %ifty0fi"e Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the %ifth Judicial Region There shall be5 4ighteen branches ,>ranches & to FA&&&. for the !ro"ince of Albay and the city of 9egas!i$ >ranches & to F with seats at 9egas!i #ity$ >ranches F& to F&A at 9igao$ and >ranches FA to FA&&& at Tabaco7 :ineteen branches ,>ranches F&F to FFFA&&. for the !ro"ince of #a'arines 3ur and the cities of :aga and &riga$ >ranches F&F to FFA&&& with seats at :aga #ity$ >ranch FF&F at 9ib'anan$ >ranch FFF at Tigaon$ >raches FFF& to FFF&&& at *ili$ and >ranches FFF&A to FFFA&& at &riga #ity7 %our branches ,>ranches FFFA&&& to F9&&. for the !ro"ince of #a'arines :orte$ with seat at (aet7 Two branches ,>ranches F9&& and F9&&. for the !ro"ince of #atanduanes$ with seats at Airac7 3e"en branches ,>ranches F9&A to 9. for the !ro"ince of )asbate$ >ranches F9&A to F9A&&& with seats at )asbate$ >ranch F9&F at #ataingan$ and >ranch 9 at 3an Jacinto7 and %i"e branches ,>ranches 9& to 9A. for the !ro"ince of 3orsogon$ >ranches 9& to 9&&& with seats at 3orsogon$ >ranch 9A& at Eubat$ and >ranch 9A at &rosin ,g. 3i+ty0three Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the 3i+th Judicial Region There shall be5 :ine branches ,>ranches & to &F. for the !ro"ince of Aklan$ with seats at @alibo7

%our branches ,>ranches F to F&&&. for the !ro"ince of Anti2ue$ >ranches F to F&& with seats at 3an Jose$ and >ranch F&&& and #ulasi7 4ighr branches ,>ranches F&A to FF&. for the !ro"ince of #a!iz and the city of Ro+as$ >ranches F&A to F&F with seats at Ro+as #ity and >ranches FF and FF& at )a'busao7 4ighteen branches ,>ranches FF&& to FFF&F. for the !ro"ince of &loilo$ the sub!ro"ince of Eui'aras$ and the city of &loilo$ with seats at &loilo #ity7 and Twenty0four branches ,>ranches F9 to 9F&&&. for the !ro"ince of :egros 6ccidental$ and the cities of >acolod$>ago$ #adiz$ 9a #arlota$ 3an #arlos and 3ilay$ >ranch F9 with seat at 3ilay #ity$ >ranches F9& to 9&A at >acolod #ity$ >ranches 9A and 9A& at Hi'a'aylan$ >ranches 9A&& to 9&F at @abankalan$ >ranch 9F&& at >ago #ity$ and >ranch 9F&& at 9a #arlota #ity ,h. %orty0si+ Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the 3e"enth Judicial Region There shall be5 %our branches ,>ranches & to &A. for the !ro"ince of >ohol and the city of Tagbilaran$ with seats at Tagbilaran #ity7 Twenty0fi"e branches ,>ranches A to FF&F. for the !ro"ince of #ebu and the cities of #ebu$ (anao$ 9a!u09a!u$ )andaue and Toledo$ >ranches A to FF&A with seats at #ebu #ity$ >ranch FFA at (anao #ity$ >ranch FFA& at Argao$ >ranch FFA&& at 9a!u09a!u #ity$ >ranch FFA&&& at )andaue #ity$ and >ranch FF&F at Toledo #ity7 3i+teen branches ,>ranches FFF to F9A. for the !ro"ince of :egros 6riental and the cities of (u'aguete$ >ais and #anlaon$ >ranches FFF to F9&A with seats at (u'aguete #ity$ and >ranch F9A at >ais #ity7 and 6ne branch ,>ranch F9A&. for the !ro"ince of 3i2ui1or$ with seat at 9arena ,i. Thirty0three Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the 4ighth Judicial Region There shall be5 %i"e branches ,>ranches & to A. for the !ro"ince of 4astern 3a'ar$ >ranches & and && with seats at >orongan$ >ranch &&& at Euiuan$ >ranch &A at (olores$ and >ranch A at 6ras7 Thirteen branches ,>ranches A& to FA&&&. for the !ro"ince of 9eyte$ the sub0 !ro"ince of >iliran$ and the cities of 6r'oc and Tacloban$ >ranches A& and &F with seats at Tacloban #ity$ >ranch F at Abuyog$ >ranch F& at #alubian$ >ranch F&& at 6r'oc #ity$ >ranch F&&& at #arigara$ >ranch F&A at >aybay$ >ranch FA at >urauen$ >ranch FA& at :a"al$ >ranch FA&& at *alo'!on$ and >ranch FA&&& at Hilongos7

%i"e branches ,>ranches F&F to FF&&&. for the !ro"ince of :orthern 3a'ar$ >ranches F&F and FF with seats at #atar'an$ >ranches FF& and FF&& at 9aoang$ and >ranch FF&&& at Allen7 Three branches ,>ranches FF&A to FFA&. for the !ro"ince of 3outhern 9eyte$ >ranches FF&A and FFA with seats at )aasin$ and >ranch FFA& at 3an Juan7 and 3e"en branches ,>ranches FFA&& to FFF&&&. for the !ro"ince of 3a'ar and the city of #albayog$ >ranches FFA&& to FF&F with seats at #atbalogan$ >ranch FFF at >asey$ >ranches FFF& and FFF&& at #albayog #ity$ and >ranch FFF&&& at #albiga ,1. Twenty0four Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the :inth Judicial Region There shall be5 Two branches ,>ranches & and &&. for the !ro"ince of >asilan$ with seats at &sabela7 Two branches ,>ranches &&& and &A. for the !ro"ince of 3ulu$ >ranch &&& with seat at Jolo$ and >ranch &A at *arang7 6ne branch ,>ranch A. for the !ro"ince of Tawi0Tawi$ with seat at >ongao7 3i+ branches ,>ranches A& to F&. for the !ro"ince of Ca'boanga del :orte$ and the cities of (i!olog and (a!itan$ >ranches A& to F seats at (i!olog #ity$ and >ranch F& at 3indangan7 and Thirteen branches ,>ranches F&& to FF&A. for the !ro"ince of Ca'boanga del 3ur and the cities of *agadian and Ca'boanga >ranches F&& to FA&& with seats at Ca'boanga #ity$ >ranches$ FA&&& to FF&& at *agadian #ity$ >ranch FF&&& at )ola"e$ and >ranch FF&A at &!il ,k. Thirty0two Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the Tenth Judicial Region There shall be5 %i"e branches ,>ranches & to A. for the !ro"ince of Agusan del :orte and the city of >utuan$ with seats at >utuan #ity7 Two branches ,>ranches A& and A&&. for the !ro"ince of Agusan del 3ur$ >ranches A& with seat at *ros!eridad and >ranch A&& with seat at >ayugan7 %our branches ,>ranches A&&& to F&. for the !ro"ince of >ukidnon$ >ranches A&&& to F with seats at )alaybalay and >ranch F& at )analo %ortich7 %i"e branches ,>ranches F&& to F&. for the !ro"ince of )isa'is 6ccidental and the cities of 6ro2uieta$ 6za'is$ and Tangub$ >ranches F&& to F&A with seats at 6ro2uieta #ity$ >ranch FA at 6za'is #ity$ and >ranch FA& at Tangub #ity7

4le"en branches ,>ranches FA&& to FFA&&. for the !ro"ince of )isa'is 6riental and the cities of #agayan de 6ro and Eingoog$ >ranches FA&& to FFA with seats at #agayan de 6ro #ity$ >ranch FFA& at )edina$ and >ranch FFA&& at Eingoog #ity7 6ne branch ,>ranch FFA&&&. for the !ro"ince of #a'iguin$ with seat at )a'ba1ao7 and %our branches ,>ranches FF&F to FFF&&. for the !ro"ince of 3urigao del :orte and the #ity of 3urigao$ >ranches FF&F and FFF with seats at 3urigao #ity$ >ranch FFF& at (a!a$ and >ranch FFF&& at (inagat$ (inagat &sland ,l. Twenty0nine Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the 4le"enth Judicial Region There shall be %our branches ,>ranches & to &A. for the !ro"ince of (a"ao del :orte$ >ranches & and && with seats at Tagu'$ >ranch &&& at :abunturan$ and >ranch &A at *anabo7 Three branches ,>ranches A to A&&. for the !ro"ince of (a"ao 6riental$ >ranches A and A& with seats at )ati and >ranch A&& at >anganga7 %ourteen branches ,>ranches A&&& to FF&. for the !ro"ince of (a"ao del 3ur and the city of (a"ao$ >ranches A&&& to FA&& with seats at (a"ao #ity$ >ranches FA&&& and F&F at (igos$ >ranch FF at )alinta$ and >ranch FF& a >ansalan7 %i"e >ranches ,>ranches FF&& to FFA&. for the !ro"ince of 3outh #otabato and the city of Eeneral 3antos$ >ranches FF&& and FF&&& with seats at Eeneral 3antos #ity$ >ranches FF&A and FFA at @oronadal$ and >ranch FFA& at 3urallah7 and Three branches ,>ranches FFA&& to FF&F. for the !ro"ince of 3urigao del 3ur$ >ranch FFA&& with seat at Tandag$ >ranch FFA&&& at 9ianga$ and >ranch FF&F at >islig ,'. Twenty Regional Trial Judges shall be co''issioned for the Twelfth Judicial Region There shall be5 3e"en branches ,>ranches & to A&&. for the !ro"ince of 9anao del :orte and the city of &ligan$ >ranches & to A& with seats at &ligan #ity$ and >ranch A&& at Tubod7 %i"e branches ,>ranches A&&& to F&&. for the !ro"ince of 9anao del 3ur and the city of )arawi$ >ranches A&&& to F with seats at )arawi #ity$ and >ranches F& and F&& at )alabang7 Three branches ,>ranches F&&& to FA. for the !ro"ince of )aguindanao and the city of #otabato$ >ranches F&&& and F&A with seats at #otabato #ity$ and >ranch FA at )aganoy7

Three branches ,>ranches FA& to FA&&&. for the !ro"ince of :orth #otabato$ >ranch FA& with seat at @abacan$ >ranch FA&& at @ida!awan$ and >ranch FA&&& at )issaya!7 and Two branches ,>ranches F&F and FF. for the !ro"ince of 3ultan @udarat$ >ranch F&F$ with seat at &sulan$ and >ranch FF at Tacurong Sec !"# 1&. ,uali%ications. :o !ersons shall be a!!ointed Regional Trial Judge unless he is a natural0born citizen of the *hili!!ines$ at least thirty0fi"e years of age$ and for at least ten years$ has been engaged in the !ractice of law in the *hili!!ines or has held a !ublic office in the *hili!!ines re2uiring ad'ission to the !ractice of law as an indis!ensable re2uisite Sec !"# 1'. Time and duration o% sessions. The ti'e and duration of daily sessions of the Regional Trial #ourts shall be deter'ined by the 3u!re'e #ourt5 'ro+ided, *o&e+er$ That all 'otions$ e+ce!t those re2uiring i''ediate action$ shall be heard in the afternoon of e"ery %riday$ unless it falls on a holiday$ in which case$ the hearing shall be held on the afternoon of the ne+t succeeding business day5 'ro+ided, %urt*er$ That the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay$ for good reasons$ fi+ a different 'otion day in s!ecified areas Sec !"# 1(. 2ppointment and assignment o% 1egional Trial Judges. 4"ery Regional Trial Judge shall be a!!ointed to a region which shall be his !er'anent station$ and his a!!oint'ent shall state the branch of the court and the seat thereof to which he shall be originally assigned Howe"er$ the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay assign te'!orarily a Regional Trial Judge to another region as !ublic interest 'ay re2uire$ !ro"ided that such te'!orary assign'ent shall not last longer than si+ ,G. 'onths without the consent of the Regional Trial Judge concerned A Regional Trial Judge 'ay be assigned by the 3u!re'e #ourt to any branch or city or 'unici!ality within the sa'e region as !ublic interest 'ay re2uire$ and such assign'ent shall not be dee'ed an assign'ent to another station within the 'eaning of this section Sec !"# 1). 2ut*ority to de%ine territory appurtenant to eac* branc*. The 3u!re'e #ourt shall define the territory o"er which a branch of the Regional Trial #ourt shall e+ercise its authority The territory thus defined shall be dee'ed to be the territorial area of the branch concerned for !ur!oses of deter'ining the "enue of all suits$ !roceedings or actions$ whether ci"il or cri'inal$ as well as deter'ining the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts o"er the said branch 'ay e+ercise a!!ellate 1urisdiction The !ower herein granted shall be e+ercised with a "iew to 'aking the courts readily accessible to the !eo!le of the different !arts of the region and 'aking the attendance of litigants and witnesses as ine+!ensi"e as !ossible Sec !"# 19. Jurisdiction in ci+il cases. Regional Trial #ourts shall e+ercise e+clusi"e original 1urisdiction5 ,1. &n all ci"il actions in which the sub1ect of the litigation is inca!able of !ecuniary esti'ation7 ,8. &n all ci"il actions which in"ol"e the title to$ or !ossession of$ real !ro!erty$ or any interest therein$ where the assessed "alue of the !ro!erty in"ol"ed e+ceeds Twenty thousand !esos ,*80$000 00. or for ci"il actions in )etro )anila$ where such the "alue e+ceeds %ifty thousand !esos ,=0$000 00. e+ce!t actions for forcible entry into and

unlawful detainer of lands or buildings$ original 1urisdiction o"er which is conferred u!on )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts7 ,/. &n all actions in ad'iralty and 'ariti'e 1urisdiction where he de'and or clai' e+ceeds 6ne hundred thousand !esos ,*100$000 00. or $ in )etro )anila$ where such de'and or clai' e+ceeds Two hundred thousand !esos ,800$000 00.7 ,;. &n all 'atters of !robate$ both testate and intestate$ where the gross "alue of the estate e+ceeds 6ne hundred thousand !esos ,*100$000 00. or$ in !robate 'atters in )etro )anila$ where such gross "alue e+ceeds Two hundred thousand !esos ,800$000 00.7 ,=. &n all actions in"ol"ing the contract of 'arriage and 'arital relations7 ,G. &n all cases not within the e+clusi"e 1urisdiction of any court$ tribunal$ !erson or body e+ercising 1urisdiction or any court$ tribunal$ !erson or body e+ercising 1udicial or 2uasi0 1udicial functions7 ,-. &n all ci"il actions and s!ecial !roceedings falling within the e+clusi"e original 1urisdiction of a Ju"enile and (o'estic Relations #ourt and of the #ourts of Agrarian Relations as now !ro"ided by law7 and ,8. &n all other cases in which the de'and$ e+clusi"e of interest$ da'ages of whate"er kind$ attorneyIs fees$ litigation e+!enses$ and costs or the "alue of the !ro!erty in contro"ersy e+ceeds 6ne hundred thousand !esos ,100$000 00. or$ in such other abo"e'entioned ite's e+ceeds Two hundred thousand !esos ,800$000 00. ,as a'ended by R A :o -G91J. Sec !"# 2*. Jurisdiction in criminal cases. Regional Trial #ourts shall e+ercise e+clusi"e original 1urisdiction in all cri'inal cases not within the e+clusi"e 1urisdiction of any court$ tribunal or body$ e+ce!t those now falling under the e+clusi"e and concurrent 1urisdiction of the 3andiganbayan which shall hereafter be e+clusi"ely taken cognizance of by the latter Sec !"# 21. Original 7urisdiction in ot*er cases. Regional Trial #ourts shall e+ercise original 1urisdiction5 ,1. &n the issuance of writs of certiorari$ !rohibition$ 'anda'us$ 2uo warranto$ habeas cor!us and in1unction which 'ay be enforced in any !art of their res!ecti"e regions7 and ,8. &n actions affecting a'bassadors and other !ublic 'inisters and consuls Sec !"# 22. 2ppellate 7urisdiction. Regional Trial #ourts shall e+ercise a!!ellate 1urisdiction o"er all cases decided by )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts in their res!ecti"e territorial 1urisdictions 3uch cases shall be decided on the basis of the entire record of the !roceedings had in the court of origin and such 'e'oranda andKor briefs as 'ay be sub'itted by the !arties or re2uired by the Regional Trial #ourts The decision of the Regional Trial #ourts in such cases shall be a!!ealable by !etition for re"iew to the

#ourt of A!!eals which 'ay gi"e it due course only when the !etition shows prima %acie that the lower court has co''itted an error of fact or law that will warrant a re"ersal or 'odification of the decision or 1udg'ent sought to be re"iewed Sec !"# 2$. Special 7urisdiction to try special cases. The 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay designate certain branches of the Regional Trial #ourts to handle e+clusi"ely cri'inal cases$ 1u"enile and do'estic relations cases$ agrarian cases$ urban land refor' cases which do not fall under the 1urisdiction of 2uasi01udicial bodies and agencies$ andKor such other s!ecial cases as the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine in the interest of a s!eedy and efficient ad'inistration of 1ustice Sec !"# 2%. Special 1ules o% 'rocedure. <hene"er a Regional Trial #ourt takes cognizance of 1u"enile and do'estic relation cases andKor agrarian cases$ the s!ecial rules of !rocedure a!!licable under !resent laws to such cases shall continue to be a!!lied$ unless subse2uently a'ended by law or by rules of court !ro'ulgated by the 3u!re'e #ourt CHAPTER III METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS Sec !"# 2&. Establis*ment o% 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts, 8unicipal Trial 6ourts and 8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourts. There shall be created a )etro!olitan Trial #ourt in each 'etro!olitan area established by law$ a )unici!al Trial #ourt in each of the other cities or 'unici!alities$ and a )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt in each circuit co'!rising such cities andKor 'unici!alities as are grou!ed together !ursuant to law Sec !"# 2'. ,uali%ications. :o !erson shall be a!!ointed 1udge of a )etro!olitan Trial #ourt$ )unici!al Trial #ourt$ or )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt unless he is a natural0born citizen of the *hili!!ines$ at least /0 years of age$ and$ for at least fi"e years$ has been engaged in the !ractice of law in the *hili!!ines$ or has held a !ublic office in the *hili!!ines re2uiring ad'ission to the !ractice of law as an indis!ensable re2uisite Sec !"# 2(. 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts o% t*e National 6apital 1egion. There shall be a )etro!olitan Trial #ourt in the :ational #a!ital Region$ to be known as the )etro!olitan Trial #ourt of )etro )anila$ which shall be co'!osed of eighty0two ,88. branches There shall be5 Thirty branches ,>ranches & to FFF. for the city of )anila with seats thereat7 Thirteen branches ,>ranches FFF& to F9&&&. for Buezon #ity with seats thereat7 %i"e branches ,>ranches F9&A to F9A&&&. for *asay #ity with seats thereat7 %i"e branches ,>ranches F9&F to 9&&&. for #aloocan #ity with seats thereat7 6ne branch ,>ranch 9&A. for :a"otas with seat thereat7 Two branches ,>ranches 9A and 9A&. for )alabon with seats thereat7 Two branches ,>ranches 9A&& and 9A&&&. for 3an Juan with seats thereat7

Two branches ,>ranches 9&F and 9F. for )andaluyong with seats thereat7 3e"en branches ,>ranches 9F& and 9FA&&. for )akati with seats thereat7 %i"e branches ,>ranches 9FA&&& to 9FF&&. for *asig with seats thereat7 6ne branch ,>ranch 9FF&&&. for *ateros with seat thereat7 6ne branch ,>ranch 9FF&A. for Taguig with seat thereat7 Two branches ,>ranches 9FFA and 9FFA&. for )arikina with seats thereat7 Two branches ,>ranches 9FFA&& and 9FFA&&&. for *araDa2ue with seats thereat7 6ne branch ,>ranch 9FF&F. for 9as *iDas with seat thereat7 6ne branch ,>ranch 9FFF. for )untinlu!a with seat thereat7 Two branches ,>ranches 9FFF& and 9FFF&&. for Aalenzuela with seats thereat7 Sec !"# 2). Ot*er 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts. The 3u!re'e #ourt shall constitute )etro!olitan Trial #ourts in such other 'etro!olitan areas as 'ay be established by law whose territorial 1urisdiction shall be co0e+tensi"e with the cities and 'unici!alities co'!rising the 'etro!olitan area 4"ery )etro!olitan Trial Judge shall be a!!ointed to a 'etro!olitan area which shall be his !er'anent station and his a!!oint'ent shall state branch of the court and the seat thereof to which he shall be originally assigned A )etro!olitan Trial Judge 'ay be assigned by the 3u!re'e #ourt to any branch within said 'etro!olitan area as the interest of 1ustice 'ay re2uire$ and such assign'ent shall not be dee'ed an assign'ent to another station within the 'eaning of this section Sec !"# 29. 8unicipal Trial 6ourts in cities. &n e"ery city which does not for' !art of a 'etro!olitan area$ there shall be a )unici!al Trial #ourt with one branch$ e+ce!t as hereunder !ro"ided5 Two branches for 9aoag #ity7 %our branches for >aguio #ity7 Three branches for (agu!an #ity7 %i"e branches for 6longa!o #ity7 Three branches for #abanatuan #ity7 Two branches for 3an Jose #ity7 Three branches for Angeles #ity7

Two branches for #a"ite #ity7 Two branches for >atangas #ity7 Two branches for 9ucena #ity7 Three branches for :aga #ity7 Two branches for &riga #ity7 Three branches for 9egas!i #ity7 Two branches for Ro+as #ity7 %our branches for &loilo #ity7 3e"en branches for >acolod #ity7 Two branches for (u'aguete #ity7 Two branches for Tacloban #ity7 4ight branches for #ebu #ity7 Three branches for )andaue #ity7 Two branches for Tagbilaran #ity7 Two branches for 3urigao #ity7 Two branches for >utuan #ity7 %i"e branches for #agayan de 6ro #ity7 3e"en branches for (a"ao #ity7 Three branches for Eeneral 3antos #ity7 Two branches for 6ro2uieta #ity7 Three branches for 6za'is #ity7 Two branches for (i!olog #ity7 %our branches for Ca'boanga #ity7 Two branches for *agadian #ity7 and

Two branches for &ligan #ity Sec !"# $*. 8unicipal Trial 6ourts. &n each of the 'unici!alities that are not co'!rised within a 'etro!olitan area and a 'unici!al circuit there shall be a )unici!al Trial #ourt which shall ha"e one branch$ e+ce!t as hereunder !ro"ided5 Two branches for 3an %ernando$ 9a ?nion7 %our branches for Tuguegarao7 Three branches for 9allo$ and two branches for A!arri$ both of #agayan7 Two branches for 3antiago$ &sabela7 Two branches each for )alolos$ )eycauayan and >ulacan$ all of >ulacan *ro"ince7 %our branches for 3an %ernando and two branches for Euagua$ both of *a'!anga7 Two branches for Tarlac$ Tarlac7 Two branches for 3an *edro$ 9aguna7 and Two branches each for Anti!olo and >inangonan$ both in Rizal Sec !"# $1. 8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourt. There shall be a )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt in each area defined as a 'unici!al circuit$ co'!rising one or 'ore cities andKor one or 'ore 'unici!alities The 'unici!alities co'!rising 'unici!al circuits as organized under Ad'inistrati"e 6rder :o //$ issued on June 1/$ 19-8 by the 3u!re'e #ourt !ursuant to *residential (ecree :o =/-$ are hereby constituted as 'unici!al circuits for !ur!oses of the establish'ent of the )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts$ and the a!!oint'ent thereto of )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judges5'ro+ided, *o&e+er$ That the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay$ as the interests of 1ustice 'ay re2uire$ further reorganize the said courts taking into account workload$ geogra!hical location$ and such other factors as will contribute to a rational allocation thereof$ !ursuant to the !ro"isions of *residential (ecree :o =/- which shall be a!!licable insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act 4"ery )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judge shall be a!!ointed to a 'unici!al circuit which shall be his official station The 3u!re'e #ourt shall deter'ine the city or 'unici!ality where the )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt shall hold sessions Sec !"# $2. Jurisdiction o% 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts, 8unicipal Trial 6ourts and 8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourts in criminal cases. 4+ce!t in cases falling within the e+clusi"e original 1urisdiction of Regional Trial #ourts and of the 3andiganbayan$ the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall e+ercise5 ,1. 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction o"er all "iolations of city or 'unici!al ordinances co''itted within their res!ecti"e territorial 1urisdiction7 and

,8. 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction o"er all offenses !unishable with i'!rison'ent not e+ceeding si+ ,G. years irres!ecti"e of the a'ount of fine$ and regardless of other i'!osable accessory or other !enalties$ including the ci"il liability arising fro' such offenses or !redicated thereon$ irres!ecti"e of kind$ nature$ "alue$ or a'ount thereof5 'ro+ided, *o&e+er, That in offenses in"ol"ing da'age to !ro!erty through cri'inal negligence they shall ha"e e+clusi"e original 1urisdiction thereof (as amended by 1.2, No. 3#"!$ Sec !"# $$. Jurisdiction o% 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts, 8unicipal Trial 6ourts and 8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourts in ci+il cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall e+ercise5 ,1. 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction o"er ci"il actions and !robate !roceedings$ testate and intestate$ including the grant of !ro"isional re'edies in !ro!er cases$ where the "alue of the !ersonal !ro!erty$ estate$ or a'ount of the de'and does not e+ceed 6ne hundred thousand !esos ,*100$000 00. or$ in )etro )anila where such !ersonal !ro!erty$ estate$ or a'ount of the de'and does not e+ceed Two hundred thousand !esos ,*800$000 00. e+clusi"e of interest da'ages of whate"er kind$ attorneyIs fees$ litigation e+!enses$ and costs$ the a'ount of which 'ust be s!ecifically alleged5 *ro"ided$ That where there are se"eral clai's or causes of action between the sa'e or different !arties$ e'bodied in the sa'e co'!laint$ the a'ount of the de'and shall be the totality of the clai's in all the causes of action$ irres!ecti"e of whether the causes of action arose out of the sa'e or different transactions7 ,8. 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction o"er cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer5 *ro"ided$ That when$ in such cases$ the defendant raises the 2uestion of ownershi! in his !leadings and the 2uestion of !ossession cannot be resol"ed without deciding the issue of ownershi!$ the issue of ownershi! shall be resol"ed only to deter'ine the issue of !ossession ,/. 4+clusi"e original 1urisdiction in all ci"il actions which in"ol"e title to$ or !ossession of$ real !ro!erty$ or any interest therein where the assessed "alue of the !ro!erty or interest therein does not e+ceed Twenty thousand !esos ,*80$000 00. or$ in ci"il actions in )etro )anila$ where such assessed "alue does not e+ceed %ifty thousand !esos ,*=0$000 00. e+clusi"e of interest$ da'ages of whate"er kind$ attorneyIs fees$ litigation e+!enses and costs5 'ro+ided, That "alue of such !ro!erty shall be deter'ined by the assessed "alue of the ad1acent lots (as amended by 1.2. No. 3#"!$ Sec !"# $%. .elegated 7urisdiction in cadastral and land registration cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts 'ay be assigned by the 3u!re'e #ourt to hear and deter'ine cadastral or land registration cases co"ering lots where there is no contro"ersy or o!!osition$ or contested lots the where the "alue of which does not e+ceed 6ne hundred thousand !esos ,*100$000 00.$ such "alue to be ascertained by the affida"it of the clai'ant or by agree'ent of the res!ecti"e clai'ants if there are 'ore than one$ or fro' the corres!onding ta+ declaration of the real !ro!erty Their decisions in these cases shall be a!!ealable in the sa'e 'anner as decisions of the Regional Trial #ourts (as amended by 1.2. No. 3#"!$ Sec !"# $&. Special 7urisdiction in certain cases. &n the absence of all the Regional Trial Judges in a !ro"ince or city$ any )etro!olitan Trial Judge$ )unici!al Trial Judge$ )unici!al

#ircuit Trial Judge 'ay hear and decide !etitions for a writ of *abeas corpus or a!!lications for bail in cri'inal cases in the !ro"ince or city where the absent Regional Trial Judges sit Sec !"# $'. Summary procedures in special cases. &n )etro!olitan Trial #ourts and )unici!al Trial #ourts with at least two branches$ the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay designate one or 'ore branches thereof to try e+clusi"ely forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases$ those in"ol"ing "iolations of traffic laws$ rules and regulations$ "iolations of the rental law$ and such other cases re2uiring su''ary dis!osition as the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine The 3u!re'e #ourt shall ado!t s!ecial rules or !rocedures a!!licable to such cases in order to achie"e an e+!editious and ine+!ensi"e deter'ination thereof without regard to technical rules 3uch si'!lified !rocedures 'ay !ro"ide that affida"its and counter0affida"its 'ay be ad'itted in lieu of oral testi'ony and that the !eriods for filing !leadings shall be non0e+tendible Sec !"# $(. 'reliminary in+estigation. Judges of )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ e+ce!t those in the :ational #a!ital Region$ of )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall ha"e authority to conduct !reli'inary in"estigation of cri'es alleged to ha"e been co''itted within their res!ecti"e territorial 1urisdictions which are cognizable by the Regional Trial #ourts The !reli'inary in"estigation shall be conducted in accordance with the !rocedure !rescribed in 3ection 1$ !aragra!hs ,a.$ ,b.$ ,c.$ and ,d.$ of *residential (ecree :o 9115 'ro+ided, *o&e+er, That if after the !reli'inary in"estigation the Judge finds a prima %acie case$ he shall forward the records of the case to the *ro"incialK#ity %iscal for the filing of the corres!onding infor'ation with the !ro!er court :o warrant of arrest shall be issued by the Judge in connection with any cri'inal co'!laint filed with hi' for !reli'inary in"estigation$ unless after an e+a'ination in writing and under oath or affir'ation of the co'!lainant and his witnesses$ he finds that a !robable cause e+ists Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance herewith 'ay be ser"ed anywhere in the *hili!!ines Sec !"# $). Judgments and processes. ,1. All 1udg'ents deter'ining the 'erits of cases shall be in writing$ stating clearly the facts and the law on which they were based$ signed by the Judge and filed with the #lerk of #ourt 3uch 1udg'ent shall be a!!ealable to the Regional Trial #ourts in accordance with the !rocedure now !rescribed by law for a!!eals to the #ourt of %irst &nstance$ by the !ro"isions of this Act$ and by such rules as the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay hereafter !rescribe ,8. All !rocesses issued by the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts$ in cases falling within their 1urisdiction$ 'ay be ser"ed anywhere in the *hili!!ines without the necessity of certification by the Judge of the Regional Trial #ourt CHAPTER I+ GENERAL PRO+ISIONS Sec !"# $9. 2ppeals. The !eriod for a!!eal fro' final orders$ resolutions$ awards$ 1udg'ents$ or decisions of any court in all cases shall be fifteen ,1=. days counted fro' the notice of the

final order$ resolution$ award$ 1udg'ent$ or decision a!!ealed fro'5 'ro+ided *o&e+er$ That in *abeas corpus cases$ the !eriod for a!!eal shall be forty0eight ,;8. hours fro' the notice of the 1udg'ent a!!ealed fro' :o record on a!!eal shall be re2uired to take an a!!eal &n lieu thereof$ the entire record shall be trans'itted with all the !ages !ro'inently nu'bered consecuti"ely$ together with an inde+ of the contents thereof This section shall not a!!ly in a!!eals in s!ecial !roceedings and in other cases wherein 'ulti!le a!!eals are allowed under a!!licable !ro"isions of the Rules of #ourt Sec !"# %*. 9orm o% decision in appealed cases. 4"ery decision of final resolution of a court in a!!ealed cases shall clearly and distinctly state the findings of fact and the conclusions of law on which it is based$ which 'ay be contained in the decision or final resolution itself$ or ado!ted by reference fro' those set forth in the decision$ order$ or resolution a!!ealed fro' Sec !"# %1. Salaries. &nter'ediate A!!ellate Justices$ Regional Trial Judges$ )etro!olitan Trial Judges$ )unici!al Trial Judges$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judges shall recei"e such co'!ensation and allowances as 'ay be authorized by the *resident along the guidelines set forth in 9etter of &'!le'entation :o 9/ !ursuant to *residential (ecree :o 98=$ as a'ended by *residential (ecree :o 1=9Sec !"# %2. :onge+ity pay. A 'onthly longe"ity !ay e2ui"alent to =L of the 'onthly basic !ay shall be !aid to the Justices and Judges of the courts herein created for each fi"e years of continuous$ efficient$ and 'eritorious ser"ice rendered in the 1udiciary7 'ro+ided, That in no case shall the total salary of each Justice or Judge concerned$ after this longe"ity !ay is added$ e+ceed the salary of the Justice or Judge ne+t in rank Sec !"# %$. Sta%%ing pattern. The 3u!re'e #ourt shall sub'it to the *resident$ within thirty ,/0. days fro' the date of the effecti"ity of this Act$ a staffing !attern for all courts constituted !ursuant to this Act which shall be the basis of the i'!le'enting order to be issued by the *resident in accordance with the i''ediately succeeding section Sec !"# %%. Transitory pro+isions. The !ro"isions of this Act shall be i''ediately carried out in accordance with an 4+ecuti"e 6rder to be issued by the *resident The #ourt of A!!eals$ the #ourts of %irst &nstance$ the #ircuit #ri'inal #ourts$ the Ju"enile and (o'estic Relations #ourts$ the #ourts of Agrarian Relations$ the #ity #ourts$ the )unici!al #ourts$ and the )unici!al #ircuit #ourts shall continue to function as !resently constituted and organized$ until the co'!letion of the reorganization !ro"ided in this Act as declared by the *resident ?!on such declaration$ the said courts shall be dee'ed auto'atically abolished and the incu'bents thereof shall cease to hold office The cases !ending in the old #ourts shall be transferred to the a!!ro!riate #ourts constituted !ursuant to this Act$ together with the !ertinent functions$ records$ e2ui!'ent$ !ro!erty and the necessary !ersonnel The a!!licable a!!ro!riations shall likewise be transferred to the a!!ro!riate courts constituted !ursuant to this Act$ to be aug'ented as 'ay be necessary fro' the funds for organizational changes as !ro"ided in >atas *a'bansa >lg 80 3aid funding shall thereafter be included in the annual Eeneral A!!ro!riations Act

Sec !"# %&. S*ari;a 6ourts. 3hariIa #ourts to be constituted as !ro"ided for in *residential (ecree :o 108/$ otherwise known as the "#ode of )usli' *ersonal 9aws of the *hili!!ines$" shall be included in the funding a!!ro!riations so !ro"ided in this Act Sec !"# %'. -ratuity o% 7udges and personnel separated %rom o%%ice. All 'e'bers of the 1udiciary and subordinate e'!loyees who shall be se!arated fro' office by reason of the reorganization authorized herein$ shall be granted a gratuity at a rate e2ui"alent to one 'onthIs salary for e"ery year of continuous ser"ice rendered in any branch of the go"ern'ent or e2ui"alent nearest fraction thereof fa"orable to the' on the basis of the highest salary recei"ed5 'ro+ided, That such 'e'ber of the 1udiciary or e'!loyee shall ha"e the o!tion to retire under the Judiciary Retire'ent 9aw or general retire'ent law$ if he has 'et or satisfied the re2uire'ents therefor Sec !"# %(. 1epealing clause. The !ro"isions of Re!ublic Act :o 89G$ otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 19;8$ as a'ended$ of Re!ublic Act :o =1-9 as a'ended$ of the Rules of #ourt$ and of all other statutes$ letters of instructions and general order or !arts thereof$ inconsistent with the !ro"isions of this Act are hereby re!ealed or accordingly 'odified Sec !"# %). .ate o% E%%ecti+ity. This Act shall take effect i''ediately A!!ro"ed5 August 1;$ 1981

F"" #" e, J6ther !ro"isions of the Act5 "3ection = After fi"e,=. years fro' the effecti"ity of this Act$ the 1urisdictional a'ounts 'entioned in 3ec 19,/.$ ,;.$ and ,8.7 and 3ec //,1. of >atas *a'bansa >lg 189 as a'ended by this Act$ shall be ad1usted to Two hundred thousand !esos ,*800$000 00. fi"e ,=. years thereafter$ such 1urisdictional a'ounts shall be ad1usted further to Three hundred thousand !esos ,*/00$000 00.5 'ro+ided, *o&e+er, That in the case of )etro )anila$ the abo"e'entioned 1urisdictional a'ounts shall be ad1usted after fi"e ,=. years fro' the effecti"ity of this Act of %our hundred thousand !esos ,*;00$000 00. 3ection - The !ro"isions of this Act shall a!!ly to all ci"il cases that ha"e not yet reached the !re0trial stage Howe"er$ by agree'ent of all the !arties$ ci"il cases cognizable by 'unici!al and 'etro!olitan courts by the !ro"isions of this Act 'ay be transferred fro' the Regional Trial #ourts to the latter The e+ecuti"e 1udge of the a!!ro!riate Regional Trial #ourt shall define the ad'inistrati"e !rocedure of transferring the cases affected by the redefinition of 1urisdiction to the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourt$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt " J#ri'inal cases falling within the 1urisdiction of %a'ily #ourts ,established by the %a'ily #ourts Act of 199- MR A :o 8/G9N. ha"e been transferred fro' )etro!olitan trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ )unici!al trial #ourt in #ities$ )unici!al Trial #ourts and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts to Regional trial #ourts under A ) :o 990101/03# effecti"e )arch 1$ 1999