-Jurisdiction of the SCSection 4. (1) The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices.

It may sit en
banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days
from the occurrence thereof.
(2) All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, which
shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all other cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be
heard en banc, including those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential decrees,
proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of a
majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.
(3) Cases or matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence of a majority of
the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no
case without the concurrence of at least three of such Members. When the required number is not obtained, the
case shall be decided en banc: Provided, that no doctrine or principle of law laid down by the court in a decision
rendered en banc or in division may be modified or reversed except by the court sitting en banc.

Section 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(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.
(3) Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may require. Such
temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned.
(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.
(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice,
and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the integrated bar, and legal assistance to the
underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of
cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive
rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by
the Supreme Court.
(6) Appoi

nt all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law.

-Jurisdiction of the CASection 9. Jurisdiction. The Court of Appeals shall Exercise:

1. Original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo
warranto, and auxiliary writs or processes, whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction;
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgements of Regional Trial Courts; and
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgements, resolutions, orders or awards of Regional Trial
Courts and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commission, including the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Social Security Commission, the Employees Compensation Commission and the
Civil Service Commission, Except those falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in
accordance with the Constitution, the Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 442, as
amended, the provisions of this Act, and of subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph 4 of
the fourth paragraph od Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.

The court of Appeals shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and perform any
and all acts necessary to resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and appellate jurisdiction,
including the power to grant and conduct new trials or Appeals must be continuous and must be completed within
three (3) months, unless extended by the Chief Justice. (as amended by R.A. No. 7902.)
"The Court of Appeals shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and perform any
and all acts necessary to resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and appellate jurisdiction,
including the power to grant and conduct new trials or further proceedings. Trials or hearings in the Court of
Appeals must be continuous and must be completed within three (3) months, unless extended by the Chief
Justice." (Amendment under RA 7902)

-Jurisdiction of the RTCSection 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction:
(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;
(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein,
where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or for civil
actions in Metro Manila, where such the value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (50,000.00) except actions for
forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred
upon Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts;
(3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where he demand or claim exceeds One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or , in Metro Manila, where such demand or claim exceeds Two hundred
thousand pesos (200,000.00);
(4) In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate exceeds One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila, where such gross value
exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);
(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations;
(6) In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising
jurisdiction or any court, tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions;
(7) In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile
and Domestic Relations Court and of the Courts of Agrarian Relations as now provided by law; and
(8) In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's
fees, litigation expenses, and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds One hundred
thousand pesos (100,000.00) or, in such other abovementioned items exceeds Two hundred thousand
pesos (200,000.00). (as amended by R.A. No. 7691*)

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

Section 21. Original jurisdiction in other cases. Regional Trial Courts shall exercise original jurisdiction:
(1) In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and
injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions; and
(2) In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls.

Section 22. Appellate jurisdiction. Regional Trial Courts shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over all cases
decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their respective
territorial jurisdictions. Such cases shall be decided on the basis of the entire record of the proceedings had in the
court of origin and such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by the parties or required by the Regional
Trial Courts. The decision of the Regional Trial Courts in such cases shall be appealable by petition for review to the
Court of Appeals which may give it due course only when the petition shows prima facie that the lower court has
committed an error of fact or law that will warrant a reversal or modification of the decision or judgment sought to
be reviewed.
Section 23. Special jurisdiction to try special cases. The Supreme Court may designate certain branches of the
Regional Trial Courts to handle exclusively criminal cases, juvenile and domestic relations cases, agrarian cases,
urban land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies and agencies, and/or such
other special cases as the Supreme Court may determine in the interest of a speedy and efficient administration of
justice.

Section 24. Special Rules of Procedure. Whenever a Regional Trial Court takes cognizance of juvenile and
domestic relation cases and/or agrarian cases, 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.

-Jurisdiction of the MTC/MCTCSection 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
criminal cases. Except in cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts and of the
Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall
exercise:
(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances committed within their
respective territorial jurisdiction; and
(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6)
years irrespective of the amount of fine, and regardless of other imposable accessory or other penalties,
including the civil liability arising from such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of kind, nature,
value, or amount thereof: Provided, however, That in offenses involving damage to property through
criminal negligence they shall have exclusive original jurisdiction thereof. (as amended by R.A, No. 7691)

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

(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings, testate and intestate,
including the grant of provisional remedies in proper cases, where the value of the personal property,
estate, or amount of the demand does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in Metro
Manila where such personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not exceed Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) exclusive of interest damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation
expenses, and costs, the amount of which must be specifically alleged: Provided, That where there are
several claims or causes of action between the same or different parties, embodied in the same complaint,
the amount of the demand shall be the totality of the claims in all the causes of action, irrespective of
whether the causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions;
(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer: Provided, That when, in
such cases, the defendant raises the question of ownership in his pleadings and the question of possession
cannot be resolved without deciding the issue of ownership, the issue of ownership shall be resolved only
to determine the issue of possession.
(3) Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve title to, or possession of, real property, or
any interest therein where the assessed value of the property or interest therein does not exceed Twenty
thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or, in civil actions in Metro Manila, where such assessed value does not
exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees,
litigation expenses and costs: Provided, That value of such property shall be determined by the assessed
value of the adjacent lots. (as amended by R.A. No. 7691)

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

Section 35. Special jurisdiction in certain cases. In the absence of all the Regional Trial Judges in a province or
city, any Metropolitan Trial Judge, Municipal Trial Judge, Municipal Circuit Trial Judge may hear and decide petitions
for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal cases in the province or city where the absent
Regional Trial Judges sit.

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

-Jurisdiction of the SandiganbayanSection 4. Jurisdiction The Sandiganbayan shall exercise original jurisdiction in all cases involving:
(A) Violations of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices
Act, and Republic Act No. 1379, and Chapter II, Section 2, Title VII 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: 64
(1) Officials of the executive branch occupying the positions of regional director and higher, otherwise
classified as Grade 27 and higher of the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989 (Republic Act No.
6758), specifically including:

(a) Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, and provincial
treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other provincial department heads;
(b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurer, 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;
(e) Officers of the Philippine National Police while occupying the position of provincial director and
those holding the rank of senior superintendent or higher;
(f) City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, 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 up 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 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. 65

(B) Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed by the public officials and
employees mentioned in subsection 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. In cases where none of the accused are occupying positions corresponding to Salary Grade 27 or higher,
as prescribe in the said Republic Act No. 6758, or military and PNP officers mentioned above, exclusive original
jurisdiction thereof shall be vested in the proper regional trial court, metropolitan trial court, municipal trial court,
and municipal circuit trial court, as the case may be, pursuant to their respective jurisdictions as provided in Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended.

The Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions or orders of
regional trial courts whether in the exercise of their own original jurisdiction or of their appellate jurisdiction as
herein provided. The Sandiganbayan shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over petitions for the issuance of the
writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunctions, and other ancillary writs and processes in
aid of its appellate jurisdiction and over petitions of similar nature, including quo warranto, arising or that may
arise in cases filed or which may be filed under Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, issued in 1986: Provided,
That the jurisdiction over these petitions shall not be exclusive of the Supreme Court.
ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 09-94 June 14, 1994
For the guidance of the bench and the Bar, the following guidelines are to be followed in the implementation of
Republic Act No. 7691, entitled "An Act Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, Amending for the Purpose Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as
the 'Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980":
1. The new jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in civil and original cases, and in cadastral and land registration cases, under Section
19, 32, 33 and 34 of B.P. Blg. 129, as amended by R.A. No. 7691. Was effective on April 15, 1994, fifteen (15) days

after the publication in the Malaya and in the Times Journal on March 30, 1994, pursuant to Section 8 of the R.A.
No. 7691.
2. The exclusion of the term "damages of whatever kind" in determining the jurisdictional amount under
Section 19 (8) and Section 33 (1) of B.P. Blg. 129, as amended by R.A. No. 7691, applies to cases where the
damages are merely incidental to or a consequence of the main cause of action. However, in cases where the
claim for damages is the main cause of action, or one of the causes of action, the amount of such claim shall be
considered in determining the jurisdiction of the court.
3. The criminal jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Trial Courts
under Section 32 (2) of B.P. Blg. 129, as amended by R.A. No. 7691, has been increased to cover offenses
punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years irrespective of the amount of the fine. As a
consequence, the Regional Trial Courts have no more original jurisdiction over offenses committed by public
officers and employees in relation to their office, where the offense is punishable by more than four (4) years and
two (2) months up to six (6) years.
4. The provisions of Section 32 (2) of B.P. 129 as amended by R.A. No. 7691, apply only to offenses
punishable by imprisonment or fine, or both, in which cases the amount of the fine is disregarded in determining
the jurisdiction of the court. However, in cases where the only penalty provided by law is a fine, the amount thereof
shall determine the jurisdiction of the court in accordance with the original provisions of Section 32 (2) of B.P. Blg.
129 which fixed original exclusive jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts over offenses punishable with a fine of not more than four thousand pesos. If the amount of the
fine exceeds four thousand pesos, the Regional Trial Court shall have jurisdiction, including offenses committed by
public officers and employees in relation to their office, where the amount of the fine does not exceed six thousand
pesos.

However, this rule does not apply to offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence which are
under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit
Trial Courts, irrespective of the amount of the imposable fine.
-JURISDICTION OF FAMILY COURTSSection 5. Jurisdiction of family Courts. - The Family Courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction to hear and decide the following cases:
a) 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 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 Ptesidential Decree No. 603,
otherwise known as the "Child and Youth Welfare Code";
b) Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to the latter;
c) Petitions for adoption of children and the revocation thereof;
d) 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;
e) Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;
f) Summary judicial proceedings brought under the provisions of Executive Order No. 209, otherwise known as
the "Family Code of the Philippines";
g) 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;
h) Petitions for the constitution of the family home;
i) Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
j) 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
k) Cases of domestic violence against:
1) Women - which are 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 movement; and
2) Children - which include 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 or batterer shall be subject to criminal proceedings and the
corresponding penalties.

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.

-RULE OF PROCEDURE FOR SMALL CLAIMS CASES AS AMENDED1SEC. 2. Scope.This Rule shall govern the procedure in actions before the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts for payment of money where the value of
the claim does not exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00) exclusive of interest and costs.
SEC. 4. Applicability.The Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall apply this Rule in all actions which are:
(a) purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or
reimbursement of sum of money, and (b) the civil aspect of criminal actions, either filed before the institution of
the criminal action, or reserved upon the filing of the criminal action in court, pursuant to Rule 111 of the Revised
Rules Of Criminal Procedure.
These claims or demands may be:
(a) For money owed under any of the following: 1. Contract of Lease; 2. Contract of Loan; 3. Contract of Services; 4.
Contract of Sale; or 5. Contract of Mortgage;
(b) For damages arising from any of the following: 1. Fault or negligence; 2. Quasi-contract; or 3. Contract; (c) The
enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement or an arbitration award involving a money claim covered by this
Rule pursuant to Sec. 417