JURISDICTION OF THE METROPOLITAN

TRIAL COURTS AND MUNICIPAL TRIAL NOTE: MTC decisions in cadastral and land
registration cases are appealable in the same maner as
COURTS RTC decisions
JURISDICTION OF THE MTCs IN CIVIL CASES 1st level courts:
a. Metropolitan Trial Court – Metro Manila;
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction b. Municipal Trial Courts in Cities – situated in cities
1. If the amount involved does not exceed P300,000 c. Municipal Circuit Trial Court – composed of multi-
outside Metro Manila or does not exceed P400,000 in sala
Metro Manila in the following cases: d. Municipal Trial Courts – in one municipality
a. Actions involving personal property
b. Probate Proceeding (testate and intestate) based
on gross value of the estate
c. Admiralty and maritime cases
d. Demand for money JURISDICTION OVER SMALL CLAIMS,
SUMMARY PROCEDURE, AND BARANGAY
NOTE: Do not include Interest, Damages of CONCILIATION
whatever kind, Attorney’s fees, Litigation
Expenses, and Costs (IDALEC). However, in JURISDICTION OVER SMALL CLAIMS
cases where the claim for damages is the main
cause of action, or one of the causes of action, MTCs, MeTCs and MCTCs shall have jurisdiction over
the amount of such claim shall be considered in actions for payment of money where the value of the claim
determining the jurisdiction of the court. does not exceed P100,000 exclusive of interest and costs (Sec.
2, AM 08-8-7-SC, Oct. 27, 2009).
2. Actions involving title to, or possession of, real
property, or any interest therein where the assessed Actions covered are
value of the property or interest therein does not 1. Purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed
exceed P20,000 outside Metro Manila or does not for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or
exceed P50,000 in Metro Manila reimbursement of sum of money, and
2. The civil aspect of criminal actions, either filed
3. Inclusion and exclusion of voters before the institution of the criminal action, or
reserved upon the filing of the criminal action in
4. Those governed by the Rules on Summary Procedure court, pursuant to Rule 111 (Sec. 4, AM 08-8-7-SC).
a. Forcible entry and unlawful detainer (FEUD)
(1) With jurisdiction to resolve issue of These claims may be:
ownership to determine ONLY issue of 1. For money owed under the contracts of lease, loan,
possession (provisional only) services, sale, or mortgage;
(2) Irrespective of the amount of damages or 2. For damages arising from fault or negligence, quasi-
unpaid rentals sought to be recover contract, or contract; and
(3) Where attorney’s fees are awarded, the same 3. The enforcement of a barangay amicable settlement
shall not exceed P20,000 or an arbitration award involving a money claim
b. Other civil cases, except probate proceeding, pursuant to Sec. 417 of RA 7160 (LGC).
where the total amount of the plaintiff’s claim
does not exceed P200,000 in MM, exclusive of
interests and costs. CASES COVERED BY RULES ON SUMMARY
PROCEDURE
Special Jurisdiction over petition for writ of habeas corpus
OR application for bail in criminal cases in the absence of all All cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer (FEUD),
RTC judges in the province or city irrespective of the amount of damages or unpaid rentals sought
to be recovered. Where attorney‘s fees are awarded, the same
Delegated Jurisdiction to hear and decide cadastral and land shall not exceed P20,000;
registration cases where:
1. There is no controversy over the land All other cases, except probate proceedings where the total
2. In case of contested lands, the value does not exceed amount of the plaintiff‘s claim does not exceed P100,000
P100, 000: (outside Metro Manila) or P200,000 (in Metro Manila),
a. The value is to be ascertained: exclusive of interest and costs.
(1) By the claimant’s affidavit
(2) By agreement of the respective claimants, if Prohibited Pleadings:
there are more than one 1. Motion to dismiss the compliant except on the ground
(3) From the corresponding tax declaration of of lack of jurisdiction;
the real property 2. Motion for a bill of particulars;
 3. Motion for new trial, or for reconsideration of a 10. Labor disputes or controversies arising from
judgment, or for reopening of trial; employer-employee relationship
4. Petition for relief from judgment; 11. Where the dispute arises from the CARL
5. Motion for extension of time to file pleadings, 12. Actions to annul judgment upon a compromise which
affidavits, or any other paper; can be directly filed in court.
6. Memoranda;
7. Petition for certiorari, mandamus, or prohibition NOTE: It is a condition precedent under Rule 16; can be
against any interlocutory order issued by the court; dismissed but without prejudice
8. Motion to declare the defendant in default;
9. Dilatory motions for postponement;
10. Reply; JURISDICTION OF THE REGIONAL TRIAL
11. Third-party complaints; and COURTS, FAMILY COURTS, AND SHARI’A
12. Interventions. [Sec. 14, Prohibited pleadings and
motions]
COURTS
JURISDICTION OF THE RTC IN CIVIL CASES
CASES COVERED BY THE RULES ON BARANGAY
CONCILIATION General Original Jurisdiction All cases not within the
exclusive jurisdiction of any court/tribunal/person/ body
The Lupon of each barangay shall have the authority to bring exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions
together the parties actually residing in the same municipality
or city for amicable settlement of all disputes Exclusive Original Jurisdiction
1. The action is incapable of pecuniary estimation
EXCEPT: a. Such as rescission of contract, action to revive
1. Where one party is the government or any judgment, declaratory relief (1st part), support,
subdivision or instrumentality thereof expropriation)
2. Where one party is a public officer or employee, and b. If the action is primarily for the recovery of a
the dispute relates to the performance of his official sum of money, the claim is considered capable of
functions pecuniary estimation, and jurisdiction over the
3. Offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one action will depend on the amount of the claim.
(1) year or a fine exceeding P5,000 [RCPI v. CA (2002)]
4. Offenses where there is no private offended party c. If the basic issue is something other than the
5. Where the dispute involves real properties located in right to recover a sum of money, if the money
different cities or municipalities unless the parties claim is purely incidental to, or a consequence
thereto agree to submit their differences to amicable of, the principal relief sought, the action is one
settlement by an appropriate lupon where the subject of the litigation may not be
6. Disputes involving parties who actually reside in estimated in terms of money. [Soliven v.
barangays of different cities or municipalities, except Fastforms (1992)]
where such barangay units adjoin each other and the
parties thereto agree to submit their differences to 2. Title to, possession of, or interest in, real property
amicable settlement by an appropriate lupon with assessed value exceeding P20,000 outside Metro
7. Such other classes of disputes which the President Manila, or exceeds P50,000 in Metro Manila
may determine in the interest of justice or upon the a. Except: Forcible entry and unlawful detainer
recommendation of the Secretary of Justice cases
8. Any complaint by or against corporations,
partnerships, or juridical entities. The reason is that 3. If the amount involved exceeds P300,000 outside
only individuals shall be parties to barangay Metro Manila or exceeds P400,000 in Metro Manila
conciliation proceedings either as complainants or in the following cases:
respondents a. Admiralty and maritime cases
9. Disputes where urgent legal action is necessary to b. Matters of Probate (testate and intestate)
prevent injustice from being committed or further c. Other actions involving personal property
continued, specifically: d. Demand for money
a. A criminal case where the accused is under
police custody or detention NOTE: The exclusion of the term “damages of
b. A petition for habeas corpus by a person illegally whatever kind” in determining the jurisdictional
detained or deprived of his liberty or one acting amount under Sec. 19(8) and Sec. 33 (1) of BP
in his behalf 129, as amended by RA 7691, applies to cases
c. Actions coupled with provisional remedies, such where the damages are merely incidental to or a
as preliminary injunction, attachment, replevin consequence of the main cause of action.
and support pendente lite However, if the claim for damages is the main
d. Where the action may be barred by statute of cause of action, or one of the causes of action,
limitation the amount of such claim shall be considered in
 determining the jurisdiction of the court.[Admin foresees the impossibility of meeting them when
Circ. 09-94] they respectively fall due or in cases where the
corporation, partnership of association has no
4. All actions involving the contract of marriage and sufficient assets to cover its liabilities, but is
family relations under the management of a Rehabilitation
Receiver or Management Committee.
JURISDICTION OF FAMILY COURTS (RA
8369) Concurrent Jurisdiction
a. Petitions for guardianship, custody of children 1. With the Supreme Court in actions affecting
and habeas corpus involving children ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls
b. Petitions for adoption of children and the 2. With the SC and CA in petitions for certiorari,
revocation thereof prohibition and mandamus against lower courts and
c. Complaints for annulment of marriage, bodies in petitions for quo warranto, habeas corpus,
declaration of nullity of marriage and those and writ of continuing mandamus on environmental
relating to status and property relations of cases
husband and wife or those living together under 3. With the SC, CA and Sandigabayan in petitions for
different status and agreements, and petitions for writs of habeas data and amparo
dissolution of conjugal partnership of gains 4. With Insurance Commissioner – claims not
d. Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment exceeding P100,000
e. Summary judicial proceedings brought under the
provisions of EO 209 (Family Code) Appellate Jurisdiction over cases decided by lower courts in
f. Petitions for declaration of status of children as their respective territorial jurisdictions EXCEPT decisions of
abandoned, dependent or neglected children, lower courts in the exercise of delegated jurisdiction.
petitions for voluntary or involuntary
commitment of children, the suspension, Special Jurisdiction - SC may designate certain branches of
termination or restoration of parental authority RTC to try exclusively criminal cases, juvenile and domestic
and other cases cognizable under PD 603, EO 56 relations cases, agrarian cases, urban land reform cases not
(1986) and other related laws falling within the jurisdiction of any quasi-judicial body and
g. Petitions for the constitution of the family home other special cases in the interest of justice.

NOTE: In areas where there are no Family Courts,

the above-enumerated cases shall be adjudicated by JURISDICTION OF THE SHARI’A COURTS
the RTC (RA 8369)
Exclusive Jurisdiction
5. To hear and decide intra-corporate controversies, as 1. All cases involving custody, guardianship,
per Sec. 52, Securities and Regulations Code legitimacy, paternity and filiation arising under the
a. Cases involving devises or schemes employed by Code of Muslim Personal Laws;
or any acts, of the board of directors, business 2. All cases involving disposition, distribution and
associates, its officers or partnership, amounting settlement of estate of deceased Muslims, probate of
to fraud and misrepresentation which may be wills, issuance of letters of administration of
detrimental to the interest of the public and/or of appointment administrators or executors regardless of
the stockholders, partners, members of the nature or aggregate value of the property;
associations or organizations registered with the 3. Petitions for the declaration of absence and death for
SEC the cancellation and correction of entries in the
b. Controversies arising out of intra-corporate or Muslim Registries;
partnership relations, between and among 4. All actions arising from the customary contracts in
stockholders, members or associates; between which the parties are Muslims, if they have not
any or all of them and the corporation, specified which law shall govern their relations; and
partnership or association of which they are 5. All petitions for mandamus, prohibition, injunction,
stockholders, members or associates, certiorari, habeas corpus and all other auxiliary writs
respectively; and between such corporation , and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction
partnership or association and the state insofar as
it concerns their individual franchise or right to Concurrent Jurisdiction
exist as such entity 1. Petitions of Muslim for the constitution of the family
c. Controversies in the election or appointments of home, change of name and commitment of an insane
directors, trustees, officers or managers of such person to an asylum
corporations, partnerships or associations 2. All other personal and legal actions not mentioned in
d. Petitions of corporations, partnerships or par 1 (d) wherein the parties involved are Muslims
associations to be declared in the state of except those for forcible entry and unlawful detainer,
suspension of payments in cases where the which shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
corporation, partnership of association possesses MTC.
sufficient property to cover all its debts but
 3. All special civil actions for interpleader or
declaratory relief wherein the parties are Muslims or Appellate Jurisdiction Over final judgments, resolutions or
the property involved belongs exclusively to Muslims orders of the RTC whether in the exercise of their original or
appellate jurisdiction over crimes and civil cases falling within
Cases Cognizable the original exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan but
1. Offenses defined and punished under PD 1083 which were committed by public officers below Salary Grade
2. Disputes relating to: 27.
a. Marriage
b. Divorce Concurrent Original Jurisdiction with SC, CA, and RTC
c. Betrothal or breach of contract to marry for petitions for writs of habeas data and amparo
d. Customary dowry (mahr)
e. Disposition and distribution of property upon NOTE: The requisites that the offender the offender occupies
divorce salary Grade 27 and the offense must be intimately connected
f. Maintenance and support and consolatory gifts with the official function must concur for the SB to have
(mut’a) jurisdiction
g. Restitution of marital rights
3. Disputes relative to communal properties
JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX
NOTE: The Shari’a District Court or the Shari’a Circuit Court
may constitute an Agama Arbitration Council to settle certain
APPEALS
cases amicably and without formal trial.
UNDER RA 9282 and RULE 5, AM 05-11-07 CTA
The Council is composed of the Clerk of Court as Chairperson
and a representative of each of the conflicting parties. Exclusive Original or Appellate Jurisdiction to Review by
Appeal:
1. Decisions of CIR in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees
JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN or other charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other
matters arising under the NIRC or other laws
Original Jurisdiction in all cases involving: administered by BIR;
1. Violations of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt 2. Inaction by CIR in cases involving disputed
Practices Act) assessments, refunds of IR taxes, fees or other
2. Violations of RA 1379 (Anti-Ill-Gotten Wealth Act) charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters
3. Sequestration cases (E.O. Nos. 1,2,14,14-A) arising under the NIRC or other laws administered by
4. Bribery (Chapter II, Sec. 2, Title VII, Book II, RPC) BIR, where the NIRC or other applicable law
where one or more of the principal accused are provides a specific period of action, in which case the
occupying the following positions in the government, inaction shall be deemed an implied denial;
whether in permanent, acting or interim capacity at 3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the RTCs in local
the time of the commission of the offense: taxes originally decided or resolved by them in the
a. Officials of the executive branch occupying the exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction;
positions of regional director and higher, 4. Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs
otherwise classified as Grade 27 and higher, of a. in cases involving liability for customs duties,
the Compensation and Position Classification fees or other charges, seizure, detention or
Act of 1989 (RA 6758) release of property affected, fines, forfeitures or
b. Members of Congress and officials thereof other penalties in relation thereto, or
classified as G-27 and up under RA 6758 b. other matters arising under the Customs law or
c. Members of the Judiciary without prejudice to other laws, part of laws or special laws
the provisions of the Constitution administered by BOC;
d. Chairmen and Members of the Constitutional 5. Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment
Commissions without prejudice to the provisions Appeals in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction
of the Constitution over cases involving the assessment and taxation of
e. All other national and local officials classified as real property originally decided by the provincial or
Grade 27 and higher under RA 6758 city board of assessment appeals;
f. Other offenses or felonies committed by the 6. Decision of the secretary of Finance on customs cases
public officials and employees mentioned in Sec. elevated to him automatically for review from
4(a) of RA 7975 as amended by RA 8249 in decisions of the Commissioner of Customs which are
relation to their office adverse to the government under Sec. 2315 of the
g. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in Tariff and Customs Code;
connection with EO Nos. 1, 2, 14-A (Sec. 4, RA 7. Decisions of Secretary of Trade and Industry in the
8249) case of non-agricultural product, commodity or
article, and the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of
NOTE: Without the office, the crime cannot be agricultural product, commodity or article, involving
committed.
 dumping duties and counterveiling duties under Secs. 2. With the SC and RTC to issue writs of certiorari,
301 and 302, respectively, of the Tariff and Customs prohibition and mandamus against lower courts and
Code, and safeguard measures under RA 8800, where bodies and writs of quo warranto, habeas corpus,
either party may appeal the decision to impose or not whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction, and
to impose said duties. writ of continuing mandamus on environmental
cases.
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction 3. With SC, RTC and Sandiganbayan for petitions for
1. Over all criminal cases arising from violation of the writs of amparo and habeas data where the action
NIRC and the TCC and other laws, part of laws, or involves public data or government office
special laws administered by the BIR or the BOC
where the principal amount of taxes and fees, Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction
exclusive of charges and penalties claimed is less 1. By way of ordinary appeal from the RTC and the
than P1M or where there is no specified amount Family Courts.
claimed (the offenses or penalties shall be tried by the 2. By way of petition for review from the RTC rendered
regular courts and the jurisdiction of the CTA shall by the RTC in the exercise of its appellate
be appellate); jurisdiction.
2. In tax collection cases involving final and executory 3. By way of petition for review from the decisions,
assessments for taxes, fees, charges and penalties resolutions, orders or awards of the CSC, CBAA and
where the principal amount of taxes and fees, other bodies mentioned in Rule 43 and of the Office
exclusive of charges and penalties claimed is less of the Ombudsman in administrative disciplinary
than P1M tried by the proper MTC, MeTC and RTC. cases.
4. Over decisions of MTCs in cadastral or land
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction registration cases pursuant to its delegated
1. In criminal offenses jurisdiction; this is because decisions of MTCs in
a. Over appeals from the judgment, resolutions or these cases are appealable in the same manner as
orders of the RTC in tax cases originally decided decisions of RTCs.
by them, in their respective territorial
jurisdiction, and
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT
resolutions or orders of the RTC in the exercise
of their appellate jurisdiction over tax cases JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CIVIL
originally decided by the MeTCs, MTCs, and CASES
MCTCs in their respective jurisdiction.
2. In tax collection cases Exclusive Original Jurisdiction in petitions for certiorari,
a. Over appeals from the judgments, resolutions or prohibition and mandamus against the CA, COMELEC, COA,
orders of the RTC in tax collection cases CTA, Sandiganbayan
originally decided by them in their respective
territorial jurisdiction; and Concurrent Original Jurisdiction
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, 1. With Court of Appeals in petitions for certiorari,
resolutions or orders of the RTC in the exercise prohibition and mandamus against the RTC, CSC,
of their appellate jurisdiction over tax collection Central Board of Assessment Appeals, NLRC, Quasi-
cases originally decided by the MeTCs, MTCs judicial agencies, and writ of kalikasan, all subject to
and MCTCs in their respective jurisdiction. the doctrine of hierarchy of courts.
2. With the CA and RTC in petitions for certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against lower courts and
JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF bodies and in petitions for quo warranto, and writs of
APPEALS habeas corpus, all subject to the doctrine of hierarchy
of courts.
JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IN 3. With CA, RTC and Sandiganbayan for petitions for
CIVIL CASES writs of amparo and habeas data
4. Concurrent original jurisdiction with the RTC in
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction in actions for annulment of cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers and
judgments of the RTC consuls.

Concurrent Original Jurisdiction Appellate Jurisdiction

1. With SC to issue writs of certiorari, prohibition and 1. By way of petition for review on certiorari (appeal by
mandamus against the RTC, CSC, CBAA, other certiorari under Rule 45) against CA, Sandiganbayan,
quasi-judicial agencies mentioned in Rule 43, and the RTC on pure questions of law and CTA in its
NLRC (however, this should be filed first with the decisions rendered en banc.
CA as per St. Martin Funeral Home case), and writ of 2. In cases involving the constitutionality or validity of
kalikasan. a law or treaty, international or executive agreement,
law, presidential decree, proclamation, order,
 instruction, ordinance or regulation, legality of a tax,
impost, assessment, toll or penalty, jurisdiction of a
lower court; and
3. All cases in which the jurisdiction of any court is in
issue;
4. All cases in which an error or question of law is
involved
5. The SC may resolve factual issues in certain
exceptional circumstances (Josefa v. Zhandong,
2003)
a. The conclusion is grounded on speculations/
surmises /conjectures
b. The inference is manifestly
mistaken/absurd/impossible;
c. There is grave abuse of discretion;
d. The judgment is based on a misapprehension of
facts;
e. The findings of fact are conflicting;
f. There is no citation of specific evidence on
which the factual findings are based;
g. The finding of absence of facts is contradicted by
the presence of evidence on record;
h. The findings of the CA are contrary to those of
the trial court;
i. The CA manifestly overlooked certain relevant
and undisputed facts that, if properly considered,
would justify a different conclusion;
j. The findings of the CA are beyond the issues of
the case;
k. Such findings are contrary to the admissions of
both parties.