JURISDICTION OF PHILIPPINE COURTS penalty occurrence that gave rise

1. SUPREME COURT in relation thereto; or to the more severe

c) Cases in which offense for which the
☘ Cases to be decided by SC En Banc: 1. All cases involving the constitutionality jurisdiction of lower court penalty of death is
of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law; 2. Cases involving the is in issue; imposed, and the accused
constitutionality, application or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, appeals, the automatic
orders, instructions, ordinances and other regulations; 3. A case where the required ii. All cases in which only review from the CA to
number of vote in a division is not obtained; 4. A doctrine or principle laid down in a errors or questions of law the SC shall include such
decision rendered en banc or by division is modified, or reversed; and 5. All other are involved; lesser offense (A.M. No.
cases required to be heard en banc under the Rules of Court (Sec. 5, Art. VIII, 1987 00-5-03-SC, September
Constitution). 2. Special civil action of 28, 2004).
Civil Cases Criminal Cases certiorari – filed within 30
Exclusive Original Petitions for issuance of Petitions for issuance of days against the 3. Petition for review on
writs of certiorari, writs of certiorari, COMELEC/COA. certiorari (Rule 45)
prohibition and mandamus prohibition and from the SB if penalty is
against the following: mandamus against the less than death, life
1. CA; following: imprisonment or
2. Court of Tax Appeals; 1. CA; reclusion perpetua in
3. Commission on 2. Sandiganbayan. criminal cases, and, in
Elections En Banc; civil cases (A.M. No. 00-
4. Commission on Audit; 5-03-SC, October 12,
5. Sandiganbayan. 2004);
Appellate 1. Petitions for review on 1. In cases where the CA
certiorari against: imposes reclusion 4. Notice of appeal from
a. CA; perpetua, life the Sandiganbayan if it
b. CTA en banc (Sec. 11, imprisonment or a lesser imposes life
R.A.9282) (2006 Bar); penalty, the judgment imprisonment or
c. SB; may be appealed to the reclusion perpetua or
d. RTC, in cases SC by notice of appeal where a lesser penalty is
involving: filed with the CA (A.M. imposed involving
No. 00-5-03-SC, offenses committed on
i. If no question of fact is September 28, 2004); the same occasion or
involved and the case 2. Automatic review for which arose out of the
involves: a) cases of death penalty same occurrence that
Constitutionality or rendered by the CA gave rise to the more
validity of treaty, (A.M. No. 00-5-03-SC, serious offense for which
international or executive September 84, 2004); the penalty of death,
agreement, law, reclusion perpetua of life
presidential decree, NOTE: Where the imprisonment is imposed
proclamation, order, judgment also imposes a (A.M. No. 00-5-03-SC,
instruction, ordinance or lesser penalty for offenses October 12, 2004);
regulation; committed on the same
b) Legality of tax, impost, occasion or which arose 5. Automatic review of
assessments, or toll, or out of the same death penalty imposed by

Page 1 of 9
 the Sandiganbayan in the b. Civil Service
exercise of its original Commission;
jurisdiction (A.M. No. c. Quasi-judicial agencies
00-5-03-SC, October 12, (file with the CA first);
2004); d. RTC and lower courts;

6. Criminal case from the 2. Petitions for issuance of

Ombudsman are writ of Kalikasan ( Sec. 3,
appealable to the Rule 7, A.M. No. 09-6-8-
Supreme Court (Sec. 14 SC)
R.A. 6770) (2006 Bar); With CA and RTC 1. Petitions for habeas Petitions for issuance of
corpus and quo warranto; writs of certiorari,
7. Automatic review and prohibition and
whenever the 2. Petitions for issuance of mandamus against the
Sandiganbayan, in the writs of certiorari, lower courts or bodies.
exercise of its appellate prohibition and mandamus
jurisdiction, finds that the against the lower courts or
penalty of death, other bodies.
reclusion perpetua or life With CA, SB and 1. Petitions for the Petitions for the issuance
imprisonment should be RTC issuance of writ of of writ of amparo and
imposed (A.M. No. 00-5- amparo; and writ of habeas data
03-SC, October 12, 2. Petition for writ of
2004); and habeas data, where the
action involves public data
8. Appeals from RTC in or government office
which only errors or With RTC Actions affecting
questions of law are ambassadors and other
involved. public ministers and
CONCURRENT consuls.
With CA 1. Petitions for issuance of Petitions for issuance of With SB Petitions for mandamus,
writs of certiorari, writs of certiorari, prohibition, certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus prohibition and injunctions and ancillary
against the following: mandamus against the writs in aid of its
RTC and lower courts. appellate jurisdiction
a. NLRC under the Labor including quo warranto
Code; arising or that may arise
in cases filed under EOs.
NOTE: The petitions must 1, 2, 14 and 14-A.
first be filed with the CA,
otherwise, they shall be
dismissed (St. Martin 2. COURT OF APPEALS
Funeral Homes v. CA,
G.R. No. 130866, Civil Cases Criminal Cases
September 16, 1998). Exclusive Original Actions for annulment of 1. Actions for annulment
Page 2 of 9
 judgments of RTC based of judgments of RTC disciplinary cases the SC.
upon extrinsic fraud or (Sec. 9, BP 129); (Mendoza-Arce v. Office
lack of jurisdiction (Sec. 2. Crimes of Terrorism of the Ombudsman, G.R. NOTE: Death penalty
9, BP 129; Rule 47, 1997 under the Human No. 149148, April 5, imposed by the RTC is
Rules of Civil Procedure). Security Act of 2007 or 2002)(2006 Bar). elevated to the CA by
RA 9372. automatic review while
Appellate 1. Final judgments, Judgments or decisions of death penalty imposed by
decisions, resolutions, RTC via notice of appeal the Sandiganbayan
orders, awards of: (except those appealable whether in its original or
a. RTC (original to the SC or SB): appellate jurisdiction is
jurisdiction or appellate 1. Exercising its original elevated to the SC for
jurisdiction); jurisdiction; automatic review.
b. Family Courts; RTC on CONCURRENT
the questions of 2. Exercising its appellate With SC 1. Petitions for issuance of Petitions for issuance of
constitutionality, validity jurisdiction; and writs of certiorari, writs of certiorari,
of tax, jurisdiction prohibition and mandamus prohibition and
involving questions of 3. Where the imposable against the following: mandamus against the
fact, which should be penalty is: a. NLRC under the Labor RTCs and lower courts.
appealed first to the CA; a. Life imprisonment or Code;
c. Appeals from RTC in reclusion perpetua; or b. Civil Service
cases appealed from b. A lesser penalty for Commission;
MTCs which are not a offenses committed on c. Quasi-judicial agencies;
matter of right; the same occasion or and
which arose from the d. RTCs and other lower
2. Appeal from MTC in same occurrence that courts;
the exercise of its gave rise to the offense
delegated jurisdiction (RA punishable reclusion 2. Petitions for issuance of
7691); perpetua or life writ of Kalikasan (Sec. 3,
imprisonment (Sec. 3, Rule 7, A.M. No. 09-6-8-
3. Appeals from Civil Rule 122). SC)
Service Commission; With SC and RTC 1. Petitions for habeas Petitions for issuance of
Automatic review in corpus and quo warranto; writs of certiorari,
4. Appeals from quasi- cases of death penalty and prohibition and
judicial agencies under rendered by the RTC, in 2. Petitions for the mandamus against the
Rule 43; which case, it may decide issuance of writs of lower courts or bodies.
on whether or not to certiorari, prohibition and
5. Appeals from the affirm the penalty of mandamus against the
National Commission on death. lower courts.
Indigenous Peoples With SC, SB, and 1. Petitions for the Petitions for the issuance
(NCIP); and If it affirms the penalty of RTC issuance of writ of of writ of amparo and
death, it will render a amparo; writ of habeas data
6. Appeals from the decision but will not enter 2. Petition for writ of
Office of the Ombudsman the judgment because it habeas data, where the
in administrative will then be forwarded to action involves public
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 data or government office Internal Revenue refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other
charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters
arising under the NIRC or other laws administered
3. COURT OF TAX APPEALS by BIR;

Tax Cases Criminal Cases 2. Inaction by CIR in cases involving disputed

Exclusive Original In tax collection cases All criminal cases arising assessments, refunds of IR taxes, fees or other
involving final and from violation of the charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters
executory assessments NIRC of the TCC and arising under the NIRC or other laws administered
for taxes, fees, charges other laws, part of laws, by BIR, where the NIRC or other applicable law
and penalties where the or special laws provides a specific period of action, in which case
principal amount of administered by the BIR the inaction shall be deemed an implied denial via
taxes and fees, exclusive or the BOC where the petition for review under Rule 42.
of charges and penalties principal amount of taxes From RTC Decisions, orders or resolutions of the in local taxes
claimed is not less than and fees, exclusive of originally decided or resolved by them in the
Php 1M. charges and penalties exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction via
claimed is less that Php petition for review under Rule 43.
1M or where there is no From Commissioner of 1. Decisions in cases involving liability for customs
specified amount Customs duties, fees or other charges, seizure, detention or
claimed (the offenses or release of property affected, fines, forfeitures or
penalties shall be tried by other penalties in relation thereto; or
the regular courts and the
jurisdiction of the CTA 2. Other matters arising under the Customs law or
shall be appellate). other laws, part of laws or special laws administered
Appellate In tax collection cases 1. Over appeals from the by BOC (via petition for review under Rule 42).
involving final and judgment, resolutions or From Central Board of Decisions in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction
executory assessments orders of the RTC in tax Assessment Appeals over cases involving the assessment and taxation of
for taxes, fees, charges cases originally decided real property originally decided by the provincial or
and penalties where the by them, in their city board of assessment appeals via petition for
principal amount of respective territorial review under Rule 43.
taxes and fees, exclusive jurisdiction. From Secretary of Decision on customs cases elevated to him
of charges and penalties Finance automatically for review from decisions of the
claimed is less than Php 2. Over petitions for Commissioner of Customs which are adverse to the
1M tried by the proper review of the judgments, government under Sec. 2315 of the TCC via petition
MTC, MeTC and RTC. resolutions or orders of for review under Rule 42.
the RTC in the exercise From Secretary of Decisions of Secretary of Trade and Industry in the
of their appellate Trade and Industry and case of non-agricultural product, commodity or
jurisdiction over tax the Secretary of article, and the Secretary of Agriculture in the case
cases originally decided Agriculture of agricultural product, commodity or article,
by the MeTCs, MTCs, involving dumping duties and counterveiling duties
and MCTCs in their under Secs. 301 and 302, respectively, of the TCC,
respective jurisdiction and safeguard measures under RA 8800, where
Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal (Sec.7, RA 9282) either party may appeal the decision to impose or not
From Commissioner of 1. Decisions in cases involving disputed assessments, to impose said duties (via petition for review under
Page 4 of 9
 Rule 42). therein.
Section 4. Jurisdiction Section 4 c. Provided,
that the Regional Trial
4. SANDIGANBAYAN Court shall have
exclusive original
RA 1060 (NEW LAW PD 166, as amended jurisdiction· where the
(OLD LAW) information:
Section 3. Constitution The Sandiganbayan shall The Sandiganbayan shall (a) does not allege any
of the Divisions; sit in seven (7) divisions sit in five (5) divisions of damage to the
Quorum of three (3) members three Justices each. The government or any
each. Two (2) members five (5) may sit at the bribery; or
shall constitute a quorum same time. Three Justices (b) alleges damage to the
for sessions in divisions: shall constitute a quorum government or bribery
Provided, that when the for sessions in divisions: arising from the same or
required quorum for the Provided, that when the closely related
particular division cannot required quorum for the transactions or acts in an
be had due to the legal particular division cannot amount not exceeding
disqualification or be had due to the legal One million pesos
temporary incapacity of a qualification or temporary (P1,000,000.00). Subject
member or a vacancy disability of a Justice or to the rules promulgated
therein, the Presiding of a vacancy occurring by the Supreme Court,
Justice may designate a therein, the Presiding the cases falling under the
member of another Justice may designate an jurisdiction of the
division to be determined Associate Justice of the Regional Trial Court
by strict rotation on the Court, to be determined under this section shall be
basis of the reverse order by strict rotation on the tried in a judicial region
of precedence, to sit as a basis of the reverse order other than where the
special member of said of precedence, to sit as a official holds office.
division with all the special member of said SEC. 5. Proceedings, All three (3) members of The unanimous vote of
rights and prerogatives of division with all the rights How Conducted; a division shall deliberate the three justices in a
a regular member of said and prerogatives of a Decision by Majority on all matters submitted division shall be
division in the trial and regular member of said Vote. for judgment, decision, necessary for the
determination of a case or division the trial and final order, or resolution. pronouncement of a
cases assigned thereto. determination of a case or The concurrence of a judgment. In the event
cases assigned thereto, majority of the members that the three justices do
unless the operation of of a division shall be not reach a unanimous
the court will be prejudice necessary to render a vote, the Presiding Justice
thereby, in which case the judgment, decision, or shall designate two other
President shall, upon the final order, or to resolve justices from among the
recommendation of the interlocutory or incidental members of the Court to
Presiding Justice, motions. sit temporarily with them,
designate any Justice or forming a division of five
Justices of the Court of justices, and the
Appeals to sit temporarily concurrence of a majority

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 of such division shall be exercising judicial or defamation or libel;
necessary for rendering quasi-judicial function; b. Decree on
judgment. Intellectual Property;
6. Civil actions and and
special proceedings c. Violations of
5. REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS falling within Dangerous Drugs Act
exclusive original regardless of the
Civil Cases Criminal Cases jurisdiction of Juvenile imposable penalty
Exclusive Original 1. Actions in which the 1. Criminal cases not and Domestic except when the
subject of litigation is within exclusive Relations Court and offender is under 16
incapable of pecuniary jurisdiction of any Court of Agrarian and there are Juvenile
estimation; court, tribunal or body Reforms; and Domestic
(Sec. 20, BP 129): Relations Court in the
2. Actions involving a. Cases where the 7. Other cases where province;
title to or possession of penalty provided by the demand, exclusive
real property or any law exceeds 6 years of interest, damages, 4. Cases falling under
interest therein where imprisonment attorney’s fees, the Family Courts in
the assessed value irrespective of the fine litigation expenses and areas where there are
exceeds Php 20,000 or (RA 7691); and costs, or value of no Family Courts (Sec.
Php 50,000 in Metro b. Cases not falling property in 24, BP 129); and
Manila, except forcible within the exclusive controversy exceeds
entry and unlawful original jurisdiction of P300,000 or Php 5. Election offenses
detainer; the Sandiganbayan 400,000 in Metro (Omnibus Election
where the imposable Manila (Sec. 19, BP Code) even if
3. Actions in admiralty penalty is 129 as amended by committed by an
and maritime imprisonment more RA 7691); and official with salary
jurisdiction where than 6 years and none grade of 27 or higher.
demand or claim of the accused is 8. Intra-corporate
exceeds Php 300,000 occupying positions controversies under
or Php 400,000 in classified as “Grade Sec. 5.2 of the
Metro Manila; 27” and higher (Sec. 4, Securities and
P.D. 1606, as amended Regulation Code.
4. Matters of probate, by RA 8249). Concurrent Jurisdiction
testate or intestate, With SC, SB and 1. Writ of amparo; Petitions for the
where gross value of 2. Cases where the CA 2. Writ of habeas data. issuance of writs of
estate exceeds Php only penalty provided amparo and habeas
300,000 or Php by law is a fine data
400,000 in Metro exceeding Php 4,000; With SC 1. Certiorari,
Manila; prohibition and
3. Other laws which mandamus against
5. Cases not within the specifically lodge lower courts and
exclusive jurisdiction jurisdiction in the bodies;
of any court, tribunal, RTC: 2. Habeas corpus and
person or body a. Law on written quo warranto

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 With MTC Cases involving children and its the victims is a minor at
enforcement or revocation; the time of the
violations of 3. Complaints for commission of the
environmental and annulment and declaration offense (RA 8369, Act
other related laws, of nullity of marriage and Establishing the Family
rules and regulations those relating to marital Courts);
(Sec. 2, Rule 1, A.M. status and property 3. Cases against minors
No. 09-6-8-SC). relations of spouses or cognizable under the
Special SC may designate certain branches of RTC to try those living together under Dangerous Drugs Act, as
exclusively: different status and amended;
1. Criminal cases; agreements; and petitions 4. Violations of RA 7610
2. Juvenile and domestic relations cases; for dissolution of conjugal or the Special Protection
3. Agrarian cases; partnership of gains; of Children Against Child
4. Urban land reform cases not falling within the 4. Petitions for support Abuse, Exploitation and
jurisdiction of any quasi-judicial body; and and/or acknowledgment; Discrimination Act, as
5. Other special cases in the interest of justice 5. Summary judicial amended by RA 7658;
(Sec. 23, BP 129). proceedings under the and
Appellate GR: All cases decided by lower courts in their Family Code of the 5. Cases of domestic
respective territorial jurisdictions. Philippines; violence against:
XPN: Decisions of lower courts in the exercise of 6. Petitions for declaration a. Women – involving
delegated jurisdiction of status of children as acts of genderbased
Intra-corporate controversies that are within the jurisdiction of the RTC: abandoned, dependent or violence that result, or
1. Devices or schemes employed by, or any act of, the board of directors, business neglected children, likely to result in
associates, officers or partners, amounting to fraud or misrepresentation which may petitions for voluntary or physical, sexual or
be detrimental to the interest of the public and/or of the stockholders, partners, or involuntary commitment psychological harm or
members of any corporation, partnership, or association; of children, the suffering to women; and
2. Controversies arising out of intra-corporate, partnership, or association relations, suspension, termination, or other forms of physical
between and among stockholders, members, or associates; and between, any or all of restoration of parental abuse such as battering or
them and the corporation, partnership, or association of which they are stockholders, authority and other cases threats and coercion
members, or associates, respectively; cognizable under PD 603, which violate a woman’s
3. Controversies in the election or appointment of directors, trustees, officers, or EO 56 (Series of 1986) personhood, integrity and
managers of corporations, partnerships, or associations; and other related laws; and freedom of movement;
4. Derivative suits; and 7. Petitions for the and
5. Inspection of corporate book (Rule 1, IRR of RA 8799) constitution of the family b. Children – which
home (rendered include the commission
unnecessary by Art. 153, of all forms of abuse,
6. FAMILY COURTS Family Code) (Sec. 5, RA neglect, cruelty,
8369). exploitation, violence and
Civil Cases Criminal Cases discrimination and all
Exclusive Original 1. Petitions for 1. Where one or more of other conditions
guardianship, custody of the accused is/are below prejudicial to their
children, habeas corpus in 18 years of age but not development (Sec. 5, RA
relation to minor; less than 9 years of age; 8369)
2. Petitions for adoption of 2. When one or more of

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 7. METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, 5. Maritime claims where exceeding 6 months
MUNICIPAL TRIAL the demand or claim does and/or a fine of Php 1,000
COURTS IN CITIES, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS not exceed Php 300,000 irrespective of other
or, in Metro Manila Php penalties or civil
Civil Cases Criminal Cases 400,000 (Sec. 33, BP 129, liabilities arising
Exclusive Original 1. Actions involving 1. All offenses punishable as amended by RA 7691); therefrom;
personal property where with imprisonment not
the value of the property exceeding 6 years 6. Inclusion or exclusion 5. All offenses committed
does not exceed Php irrespective of the of voters (Sec. 138, BP by public officers and
300,000 or, in Metro amount of fine and 881); employees in relation to
Manila Php 400,000; regardless of other their office, including
imposable accessory or 7. Those covered by the government-owned or –
2. Actions for claim of other penalties; Rules on Summary controlled corporations,
money where the demand Procedure: and by private individuals
does not exceed Php 2. In offenses involving charged as co-principals,
300,000 or, in Metro damage to property 8. Forcible entry and accomplices or
Manila Php 400,000; through criminal unlawful detainer; accessories, punishable
negligence where the with imprisonment not
3. Probate proceedings, imposable fine does not 9. Those covered by the more than 6 years or
testate or intestate, where exceed Php 10,000 (Sec. Rules on Small Claims, where none of the
the value of the estate 32, BP 129 as amended i.e. actions for payment of accused holds a position
does not exceed Php by RA 7691); money where the claim classified as “Grade 27”
300,000 or, in Metro does not exceed Two and higher (Sec. 4, P.D.
Manila Php 400,000; 3. Where the only penalty Hundred Thousand Pesos 1606, as amended by RA
provided by law is a fine (P200,000.00) exclusive 8249).
NOTE: In the foregoing, not exceeding Php 4,000 of interest and costs
claim must be exclusive (Admin. Circular No. 09- (A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC,as
of interest, damages, 94, June 14, 1994); amended, effective
attorney’s fees, litigation February 1, 2016).
expense, and cost (Sec. 4. Those covered by the NOTE:On July 10, 2018,
33, BP 129 as amended Rules on Summary A.M. No. 08-8-7- SC was
by RA 7691). Procedure, i.e.: amended by the SC to
a. Violations of traffic increase the amount of
4. Actions involving title laws, rules and small claims from
to or possession of real regulations; P200,000.00 to
property or any interest b. Violations of the rental P300,000.00 (A.M. No.
therein where the value or law; 08-8-7-SC, as amended,
amount does not exceed c. Violations of municipal effective August 1, 2018).
Php 20,000 or, in Metro or city ordinances; Delegated Cadastral or land registration cases covering lots
Manila Php 50,000 d. Violations of BP 22 where:
exclusive of interest (A.M. No. 00-11- 01- 1. There is no controversy or opposition;
damages, attorney’s fees, SC); and 2. Contested but the value does not exceed Php
litigation expense, and e. All other criminal 100,000 (Sec. 34, BP 129, as amended by RA 7691)
costs (2008 Bar); cases where the penalty is
imprisonment not
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 NOTE: The value shall be ascertained by the affidavit
of the claimant or agreement of the respective
claimants (Sec. 34, BP 129 as amended by RA 7691).
Special Petition for habeas corpus Application for bail in the
in the absence of all RTC absence of all RTC
judges in the province or judges in the province or
city (Sec. 35, BP 129). city.
With RTC Cases involving
enforcement or violations
of environmental and
other related laws, rules
and regulations (Sec. 2,
Rule 1, A.M. No. 09-6-8-
SC).

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