JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS

1. Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, and Metropolitan Trial Court
(MTC)
Except in cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court and
of the Sandiganbayan, the MTC shall exercise the following criminal jurisdiction:
Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances
committed within their respective territorial jurisdiction; and
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)BP 129. Section 32.
Under RA 7691, fine is no longer a factor to determine jurisdiction.

Special jurisdiction to decide on applications for bail in criminal cases in the absence of
all RTC judges in a province or city (B.P. 129 [Sec. 35]).
2. Regional Trial Court (RTC)
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. (Sec 20, BP129) Hence, all criminal cases wherein the
penalty is higher than 6 years are cognizable by the RTC. This includes cases involving
government officials, not under the jurisdiction of the SB, meaning those below salary
grade 27 and not among those enumerated in Sec. 4 PD 1606.
Original jurisdiction in other cases.
-- 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
-- In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls. (Sec 21, BP129)
Appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal
Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their respective territorial
jurisdictions. (Sec. 22, BP129)
Special jurisdiction to try special cases. The Supreme Court may designate certain
branches of the RTC 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.
Jurisdiction in Money Laundering Cases. The RTC shall have jurisdiction to try all
cases on money laundering. Those committed by public officers and private persons who

are in conspiracy with such public officers shall be under the jurisdiction of the
Sandiganbayan (Sec. 5, RA. 9160, Anti-Money Laundering Act of2001).
SEE also, list of AO, PD, RA under RTCs jurisdiction (Pamaran, p. 24)
3. Family Courts
Exclusive original jurisdiction in criminal cases
-- where one or more of the accused is below 18 years of age but not less than 9 years of age, or
where one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense
-- cases against minors under the Dangerous Drug Act, as amended
-- RA 7610 otherwise known as the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination
-- cases of domestic violence against women, and children
In areas where there are no Family Courts, the cases falling under the jurisdiction of said court
shall be adjudicated by the RTC.
4. Court of Appeals(Sec 9, BP129)
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;
Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgments of Regional
Trial Courts; and
Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments, 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, (and those falling within the jurisdiction of the
Sandiganbayan under Sec 4, PD1606, as amended.
The CA 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 (a) cases falling within its original
and appellate jurisdiction; and in (b) motion for new trial based only on the ground of newly
discovered evidence is granted by it. (Sec 5, EO No. 33, amending Sec 9, BP129)
5. Sandiganbayan
Exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases involving:
-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, 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:
(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 sangguniangpanlalawigan, and
provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other provincial department heads;
(b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniangpanlungsod,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 (Note: See People v.
Morales, G.R. No. 166355, May 30,2011).
(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.
-- 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.
-- Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14
and 14-A, issued in 1986. Note: The Sandiganbayan also exercises civil jurisdiction (Antiporda
v. Garchitorena, 321 SCRA 551).
"In cases where none of the accused are occupying positions corresponding to Salary Grade '27'
or higher, as prescribed 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 Big. 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
ExecutiveOrder Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, issued in 1986: Provided, That the jurisdiction over
these petitions shall not be ex- clusive of the Supreme Court.
"The procedure prescribed in Batas Pambansa Big. 129, as well as the implementing rules that
the Supreme Court has promulgated and may hereafter promulgate, relative to appeals/petitions
for review to the Court of Appeals, shall apply to appeals and petitions for review filed with the
Sandiganbayan. In all cases elevated to the Sandiganbayanand from the Sandiganbayanto the
Supreme Court, the Office of the Ombudsman through its special prosecutor, shall represent the
People of the Phil- ippines except in cases filed pursuant to Executive Order Nos. 1, 2,14 and 14A, issued in 1986.
"In case private individuals are charged as co-prin- cipals, accomplices or accessories with the
public officers or employees, including those employed in government- owned or controlled
corporations, they shall be tried jointly with said public officers and employees in the proper
courts which shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over them."
xxx
SEE p.32-33 of Pamaran re other info on Sandiganbayan
Offenses subject to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
1. The phraseology of the governing law discloses that the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is
not confined to violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Specifically, the following
offenses are subject to the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan:
a. Violations of Republic Act No. 3019 as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and
Corrupt Practices Act (Section 4[a] of Presidential Decree 1606 as amended).
b. Violations of Republic Act No. 1379 or otherwise known as the Act Declaring Forfeiture in
Favor of the State Any Property Found to Have Been Unlawfully Acquired by Any Public
Officer or Employee (Sec. 4[a] of P.D. 1606 as amended).
c. Violations of Chapter II, Section 2, Title VII, Book II of the Revised Penal Code (Sec. 4[a]
ofP.D. 1606 as amended). These offenses refer to the law on bribery in all its forms including
corruption of public officers (Articles 210-212, Revised Penal Code).
d. Other offenses or felonies (aside from the above), whether simple or complexed with other
crimes, committed by public officials mentioned in letter "a" of Sec. 4 in relation to their office
(Please refer to the enumeration of these officials earlier made under the topic 'Criminal
jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan' above).
The terms "offenses or felonies" in letter "d" above are so broad in meaning and are not restricted
to the laws earlier mentioned. These offenses however, must be those committed by officials *in
relation to their office."
Thus, in Serana v. Sandiganbayan, G.R. No. 162059, January 22, 2008, the Court declared in no
uncertain terms, that the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over felonies committed by public
officials in relation to their office. The court further held that estafais one of thosefelonies and
the Sandiganbayanhas jurisdiction if (a) the offense is committed by a public official or an

employee mentioned in Sec. 4, paragraph "a;" and (b) the offense is committed in relation to his
office.
6. Supreme Court (Sec.5, Art VIII, 1987 Constitution)
Power to review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or
the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and decrees of courts in
(a) all cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, executive agreement,
law, ordinance, or executive order or regulation is in question;
(b) all cases involving legality of any tax, import, assessment, or toll, or any penalty
imposed in relation thereto;
(c) all cases in which the jurisdiction of any inferior 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.

Exclusive original jurisdiction to review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal as

the law or rules of court may provide, final judgments and decrees of inferior courts
herein provided in
-- all criminal cases involving offenses for which the penalty imposed is death or life
imprisonment; and those involving other offenses which, although not so punished, arose out of
the same occurrence or which may have been committed by the accuse on the same occasion, as
that giving rise to the more serious offense; regardless of whether the accused are charged as
principals, accomplices or accessories, or whether they have been tried jointly or separately.
Criminal Actions, how instituted?
The institution of a criminal action generally depends upon whether or not the offense is one
which requires a preliminary investigation (Sec. 1, Rule 110, Rules of Court).
1. Where a preliminary investigation is required, a criminal action is instituted by filing the
complaint with the proper officer for the purpose of conducting the requisite preliminary
investigation (Sec. 1, Rule 110, Rules of Court).
2. Where a preliminary investigation is not required, a criminal action is instituted in either of
two ways:
(a) by filing the complaint or information directly with the Municipal Trial Court and Municipal
CircuitTrial Court; or
(b) by filing the complaint with the office of the prosecutor (Sec. 1, Rule 110, Rules of Court).
3. If the case is filed in Manila and other chartered cities, a special rule prevails. In these places,
the rule is that "the complaint shall be filed with the office of the prosecutor unless otherwise
provided in their charters" (Sec. 1, Rule 110, Rules of Court).
4. The "institution of the criminal action shall interrupt the period of prescription of the offense
charged unless otherwise provided in special law(Sec. 1, Rule 110, Rules of Court)

RULES ON PRESCRIPTION FOR VIOLATIONS OF SPECIAL LAWS AND MUNICIPAL

ORDINANCES Act No. 336 as amended, is the law which governs the period