Chapter VII

Hierarchy in Philippine Courts

SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court is created by the Constitution itself. It is oftentimes referred to as the
constitutional court and the highest court of the land.
It is composed of one Chief Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices. It can sit en banc or, in
its discretion, in divisions of three, five, and seven Members.
The current Supreme Court Chief Justice is Ma. Lourdes P. A. Sereno.
Qualifications and Vacancy of Justices of the Supreme Court
The following qualifications are:
1. Natural-born citizenship;
2. At least 40 years old;
3. Must have been for fifteen years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in
the practice of law in the Philippines.
An additional constitutional requirement, though less precise in nature, is that a judge
"must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence."
Upon a vacancy in the Court, whether for the position of Chief Justice or Associate
Justice, the President fills the vacancy by appointing a person from a list of at least 3
nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council.
How does the Supreme Court make decisions?
A decision or resolution of a division of the Supreme Court, when concurred in by the
majority of the members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in a
case and voted thereon, and in no case without the concurrence of at least three of such
members, is a decision or resolution of the Supreme Court. In instances where the
required number is not obtained, the case shall be decided en banc.
No doctrine or principle of law laid down by the Supreme Court in a decision rendered en
banc or in division may be modified or reversed except by the court sitting en banc.
Disqualifying the participation of a Justice
The participation of a Justice of the Supreme Court may be disqualified for the reasons
stated in Sec 1, Rule 137 of the Rules of Court. When his participation is challenged, the
Justice sits with the Supreme Court and the question is decided by the Supreme Court as
a body.

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 If the ground of disqualification is mandatory, the Justice concerned should inhibit. On
the other hand, if the ground for disqualification is other than mandatory, it is for the
Justice concerned alone to determine his disqualification.
Where the motion for disqualification is presented after decision has been rendered either
en banc or in division with the Justice concerned having participated and cast his vote
without any objection from any source, the motion to disqualify him should be denied
because no litigant should be permitted to speculate upon the action of the Supreme Court
and to raise an objection of this sort after the decision has been rendered.
Powers and Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1. Exercise 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 the 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 assignments 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.

COURT OF APPEALS
The Court of Appeals is classified as a statutory court because it is created by virtue of
Commonwealth Act No. 3. The current form of the Court of Appeals was constituted through
Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended by Executive Order No. 33, s. 1986, Republic Act No.
7902, and Republic Act No. 8246.
It is composed of a Presiding Justice and sixty-eight (68) Associate Justices. It discharges its
functions, powers and duties thru twenty-three (23) divisions of three members each. The Court
of Appeals can sit en banc for purpose of exercising administrative, ceremonial, or other non-
adjudicatory functions.
The current Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals is Andres Reyes Jr.

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Qualifications of Justices of the Court of Appeals
The Presiding Justice and the Associate Justices shall have the same qualifications as
those provided in the Constitution for Justices of the Supreme Court.
Permanent Stations of the Court of Appeals
The first seventeen (17) divisions shall be stationed in the City of Manila for cases
coming from the First to the Fifth Judicial Regions; the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and
Twentieth Divisions shall be stationed in Cebu City for cases coming from the Sixth to
the Eighth Judicial Regions; the Twenty-first, Twenty-second, and Twenty-third
Divisions shall be stationed in Cagayan De Oro City for cases coming from the Ninth to
the Twelfth Judicial Region.
How does the Court of Appeals make decisions?
A majority of the members of the Court of Appeals shall constitute a quorum for its
session en banc. Three members shall constitute a quorum for the sessions of a division.
The unanimous vote of the three members of a division shall be necessary for the
pronouncement of a decision or final resolution.
In the event that the three members do not reach a unanimous vote, the Presiding Justice
shall request the Raffle Committee of the Court for the designation of two additional
Justices to sit temporarily with them, forming a special division of five members and the
concurrence of the majority of such division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of
a decision or final resolution.
Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals
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.

COURT OF TAX APPEALS

The Court of Tax Appeals is of the same level as the Court of Appeals. It is a court of special
appellate jurisdiction. It was created by virtue of Republic Act No. 1125.
It is composed of a Presiding Justice and eight (8) Associate Justices.
The current presiding justice of the CTA is Roman del Rosario.

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Qualifications for Justices of the Court of Tax Appeals
The qualifications for the justices of the Court of Appeals also apply to members of the
Court of Tax Appeals.
Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal
1. Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges, penalties in
relation thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue or
other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue;
2. Inaction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed
assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges, penalties in
relations thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue
Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue, where the
National Internal Revenue Code provides a specific period of action, in which
case the inaction shall be deemed a denial;
3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the Regional Trial Courts in local tax cases
originally decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their original or appellate
jurisdiction;
4. Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for customs
duties, fees or other money charges, seizure, detention or release of property
affected, fines, forfeitures or other penalties in relation thereto, or other matters
arising under the Customs Law or other laws administered by the Bureau of
Customs;
5. Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals in the exercise of its appellate
jurisdiction over cases involving the assessment and taxation of real property
originally decided by the provincial or city board of assessment appeals;
6. Decisions of the Secretary of Finance on customs cases elevated to him automatically
for review from decisions of the Commissioner of Customs which are adverse to
the Government under Section 2315 of the Tariff and Customs Code;
7. Decisions of the Secretary of Trade and Industry, in the case of non-agricultural
product, commodity or article, and the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of
agricultural product, commodity or article, involving dumping and countervailing
duties under Section 301 and 302, respectively, of the Tariff and Customs Code,
and safeguard measures under Republic Act No. 8800, where either party may
appeal the decision to impose or not to impose said duties.
Jurisdiction over cases involving criminal offenses
1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all criminal offenses arising from violations of the
National Internal Revenue Code or Tariff and Customs Code and other laws
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs:
Provided, however, that offenses or felonies mentioned in this paragraph where
the principal amount of taxes and fees, exclusive of charges and penalties,

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 claimed is less than P1 million or where there is no specified amount claimed
shall be tried by the regular courts and the jurisdiction of the CTA shall be
appellate.
2. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in criminal offenses:
a. Over appeals from the judgments, resolutions or orders of the Regional Trial
Courts in tax cases originally decided by them, in their respective territorial
jurisdiction.
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, resolutions or orders of the Regional
Trial Courts in the exercise of their appellate jurisdiction over tax cases originally
decided by the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts in their respective jurisdiction.
c. Jurisdiction over tax collection cases as herein provided:
i. Exclusive original jurisdiction in tax collection cases involving final and
executory assessments for taxes, fees, charges and penalties: Provided,
however, that collection cases where the principal amount of taxes and
fees, exclusive of charges and penalties, claimed is less than P1 million
shall be tried by the proper Municipal Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial
Court and Regional Trial Court.
ii. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in tax collection cases:
1. Over appeals from the judgments, resolutions or orders of the
Regional Trial Courts in tax collection cases originally decided by
them, in their respective territorial jurisdiction.
2. Over petitions for review of the judgments, resolutions or orders of
the Regional Trial Courts in the Exercise of their appellate
jurisdiction over tax collection cases originally decided by the
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts, in their respective jurisdiction.

SANDIGANBAYAN
The Sandiganbayan was created as s special court by Presidential Decree No. 1606. The function
of the Sandiganbayan is to try and decide criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt
practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in
government-owned and -controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined
by law.
It comprises of a Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justice.
The Sandiganbayan shall sit in divisions of three Justices each.
The current Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan is Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

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Qualifications of Justices of the Court of Appeals
The qualifications to become a member of the Sandiganbayan are as follows:
1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least 40 years of age
3. Has been a judge of a court for at least ten years or been engaged in the practice of
law in the Philippines or has held office requiring admission to the bar as a prerequisite
for at least ten years.
Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
1. Violations of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, as
amended, and Chapter II, Section 2, Title VII, Book II 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:
a. 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:
i. Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang
panlalawigan and provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers and other
provincial department heads;
ii. City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, city
treasurers, assessors engineers and other city department heads;
iii. Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and
higher;
iv. Philippine army and air force colonels, naval captains, and all officers of
higher rank;
v. Officers of the Philippine National Police while occupying the position of
provincial director and those holding the rank of senior superintendent or
higher;
vi. City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, and officials and
prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor;
vii. Presidents, directors or trustees, or managers of government-owned or -
controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or
foundations;
b. Members of Congress and officials thereof classified as grade 27 and up under the
Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989;
c. Members of the judiciary without prejudice to the provisions of the constitution;
d. Chairmen and members of constitutional commissions, without prejudice to the
provisions of the constitution; and

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 e. All other national and local officials classified as Grade 27 and higher under the
Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.
2. Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed
by the public officials and employees mentioned in subsection a of this section in relation
to their office.
3. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order
Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, s. 1986.
In addition, the Sandiganbayan exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final
judgments, resolutions or orders or regional trial courts whether in the exercise of their
own original jurisdiction or of their appellate jurisdiction as herein provided.
The Sandiganbayan also has 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.

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

Each branch of the Regional Trial Courts is presided by a single Judge, whether in a multiple
sala or single sala Court.
In multiple sala courts, there is an Executive Judge who is designated by the Supreme Court to
discharge administrative functions over all the Branches and Metropolitan Trial Courts sitting
within the territorial area as defined by Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, for a period of two (2) years
unless reappointed.
In single sala courts, the Presiding Judge of the particular Branch acts as an Executive Judge
exercising administrative functions over the Metropolitan Trial Courts sitting within the
territorial area as defined by the Supreme Court.
Qualifications of Regional Trial Court Judges
No persons shall be appointed Regional Trial Judge unless:
1. He is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least thirty-five (35) years of age; and
3. For at least ten (10) years, has been engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines
or has held a public office in the Philippines requiring admission to the practice of law as
an indispensable requisite.
Jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts in Civil Cases
1. In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary
estimation;

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 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 value
exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and
unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon
the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts.
3. In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the 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 (P200,000.00).
4. In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, chocolate 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
(P200,000.00).
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 of 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 Court of Agrarian
Relations as now provided by law.
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 (P100,000.00) or, in such other cases
in Metro Manila, where the demand exclusive of the abovementioned items exceeds Two
Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
Jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts 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. RTC Criminal Courts typically
try cases of serious crimes like murder and robbery, as opposed to petty crimes, which
reduce the burden of court cases.
Original and Special Jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts
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.
2. In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls.
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

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 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.
Jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts over Appeals from Lower Courts
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.

FAMILY COURTS
The Family Court is created by Republic Act No. 8369.
There shall be a family court in every city and province in the Philippines, and where the city is
the capital of the province, the Family Court shall be established in the municipality which has
the highest population.
Decisions and orders of the Family Courts shall be appealed in the same manner and subject to
the same conditions as appeals from the ordinary Regional Trial Courts.
Qualifications of Family Court Judges
The qualifications of Judges of Family Courts shall be the same as those of Judges in the
Regional Trial Courts.
Jurisdiction of Family Courts
1. 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
Presidential Decree No. 603, otherwise known as the "Child and Youth Welfare Code";
2. Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to the latter;
3. Petitions for adoption of children and the revocation thereof;
4. 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

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 together under different status and agreements, and petitions for dissolution of conjugal
partnership of gains;
5. Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;
6. Summary judicial proceedings brought under the provisions of Executive Order No.
209, otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines";
7. 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;
8. Petitions for the constitution of the family home;
9. Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
10. 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
11. Cases of domestic violence against:
a. 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
b. Children - which include the commission of all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty,
exploitation, violence, and discrimination and all other conditions prejudicial to
their development.
SHARI’A DISTRICT COURTS
The Shari’a District Courts are equivalent to the Regional Trial Courts in rank. These Courts
were established in certain specified provinces in Mindanao where the Code of Muslim Personal
Laws of the Philippines is being enforced. There are two categories of Shari’a Courts under the
Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines (PD. No. 1083) which are considered as part
of the Philippine judicial system; the Shari’a District Courts, which are in the same level as the
Regional Trial Courts, and the Shari’a Circuit Courts, which are in the same level as the
Municipal Trial Courts.
There are five Shari'a District Courts and fifty one Shari'a Circuit Courts in existence.
Five Shari’a District Courts
There are five (5) special judicial districts. Each one has a Shari'a District Court which
has a presiding judge. They are constituted as follows:
1. First Shari'a District – Province of Sulu;
2. Second Shari'a District – Province of Tawi-Tawi;
3. Third Shari'a District – Provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga
del Sur, and the Cities of Dipolog, Pagadian and Zamboanga;

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 4. Fourth Shari'a District – Provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur, and the
Cities of Iligan and Marawi; and
5. Fifth Shari'a District – Provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan
Kudarat, and the City of Cotabato;
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction of the Shari’a District Courts
1. All cases involving custody, guardianship, legitimacy, paternity and filiation arising
under Presidential Decree No. 1083;
2. All cases involving disposition, distribution and settlement of the estate of a deceased
Muslim, probate of wills, issuance of letters of administration or appointment of
administrators or executors regardless of the nature or the aggregate value of the
property;
3. Petitions for declaration of absence and death and for cancellation and correction of
entries in the Muslim Registries mentioned in Title VI, Book Two of Presidential Decree
No. 1083;
4. All actions arising from customary contracts in which the parties are Muslims, if they
have not specified which law shall govern their relations;
5. All petitions for mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpus, and all
auxiliary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction;
Concurrent Original Jurisdiction of the Shari’a District Courts
1. Petitions by Muslims for the constitution of the family home, change of name and
commitment of insane person to any asylum;
2. All other personal and real actions not mentioned in paragraph 1(d) wherein the
parties involved are Muslims except those for forcible entry and unlawful detainer which
shall fall under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Municipal Circuit Courts; and
3. All special civil actions for interpleader or declaratory relief where the parties are
Muslims or the property involved belongs exclusively to a Muslim.
Appellate Jurisdiction of the Shari’a District Courts
1. Shari'a District Courts shall have appellate jurisdiction over all cases tried in the
Shari'a Circuit Courts within their territorial jurisdiction.
2. The Shari'a District Court shall decide every case appealed to it on the basis of the
evidence and records transmitted as well as such memoranda, briefs or oral arguments as
the parties may submit.

METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND

MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS
Under Batas Pambansa Bilang 129, “there shall be created a Metropolitan Trial Court in each
metropolitan area established by law, a Municipal Trial Court in each of the other cities or

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municipalities, and a Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each circuit comprising such cities and/or
municipalities as are grouped together pursuant to law.”
Qualifications of Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial
Judges
No person shall be appointed judge of a Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court,
or Municipal Circuit Trial Court unless:
1. He is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least thirty (30) years of age; and
3. For at least five (5) years, has been engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines,
or has held a public office in the Philippines requiring admission to the practice of law as
an indispensable requisite.
Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts in Civil Cases
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)
Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts in Criminal Cases

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 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)
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)
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.
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.
Conducting of Preliminary investigation by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts
and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts Judges
Judges of Metropolitan Trial Courts, except those in the National Capital Region, of
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall have authority to conduct
preliminary investigation of crimes alleged to have been committed within their respective
territorial jurisdictions which are cognizable by the Regional Trial Courts.

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14
Hierarchy of Courts

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