BATAS PAMBANSA Blg.
129 perform his powers, functions, and duties until such disability is removed,
AN ACT REORGANIZING THE JUDICIARY, APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
PRELIMINARY CHAPTER
Section 1. Title. – This Act shall be known as "The Judiciary
Reorganization Act of 1980."
Section 2. Scope. – The reorganization herein provided shall include the
Court of Appeals, the Court of First Instance, the Circuit Criminal Courts,
the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, the Courts of Agrarian
Relations, the City Courts, the Municipal Courts, and the Municipal Circuit
Courts.
CHAPTER I
COURT OF APPEALS
Section 3. Organization. – There is hereby created a Court of Appeals
which consists of a Presiding Justice and fifty Associate Justice who shall
be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The Presiding Justice
shall be so designated in his appointment, and the Associate Justice
shall have precedence according to the dates of their respective
appointments, or when the appointments of two or more of them shall
bear the same date, according to the order in which their appointments
were issued by the President. Any member who is reappointed to the
Court after rendering service in any other position in the government shall
retain the precedence to which he was entitled under his original
appointment, and his service in the Court shall, for all intents and
purposes, be considered as continuous and uninterrupted. (as amended
by Exec. Order No. 33,, July 28, 1986.)
Section 4. Exercise of powers and functions. – The Court Appeals shall
exercise its powers, functions, and duties, through seventeen (17)
divisions, each composed of three (3) members. The Court may sit en
banc only for the purpose of exercising administrative, ceremonial, or
other non-adjudicatory functions. (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33,.)
Section 5. Succession to Office of Presiding Justice. – In case of a
vacancy in the absence of inability to perform the powers, functions, and
duties of his office, the associate Justice who is first in precedence shall
or another Presiding Justice is appointed and has qualified.
Section 6. Who presides over session of a division. – If the Presiding
Justice is present in any session of a division of the Court, he shall
preside. In his absence, the Associate Justice attending such session
who has precedence shall preside.
Section 7. Qualifications. – The Presiding Justice and the Associate
Justice shall have the same qualifications as those provided in
Constitution for Justice of the Supreme Court.
Section 8. Grouping of Divisions. – (Expressly repealed by Section 4,
Exec. Order No. 33, July 28, 1986.)
Section 9. Jurisdiction. – The Court of Appeals shall Exercise:
1. Original jurisdiction to issue writs
of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo
warranto,and auxiliary writs or processes, whether or not in aid of
its appellate jurisdiction;
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of
judgements of Regional Trial Courts; and
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgements,
resolutions, orders or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-
judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commission,
including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social
Security Commission, the Employees Compensation Commission
and the Civil Service Commission, Except those falling within the
appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the
Constitution, the Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential
Decree No. 442, as amended, the provisions of this Act, and of
subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph 4 of
the fourth paragraph od Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.
The court of Appeals shall have the power to try cases and conduct
hearings, receive evidence and perform any and all acts necessary to
resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and
appellate jurisdiction, including the power to grant and conduct new trials
or Appeals must be continuous and must be completed within three (3)
months, unless extended by the Chief Justice. (as amended by R.A. No.
7902.)
Section 10. Place of holding sessions. – The Court of Appeals shall have
its permanent station in the City of Manila. Whenever demanded by
public interest, the Supreme Court, upon its own initiative or upon
recommendation of the Presiding Justice, may authorize a division of the
Court to hold sessions outside Manila, periodically, or for such periods
and at such places as the Supreme Court may determine, for the
purpose of hearing and deciding cases.
Section 11. Quorum – A majority of the actual members of the Court
shall constitute a quorum for its session en banc. Three members shall
constitute a quorum for the session of a division. The unanimous vote of
the three members of a division shall be necessary for the
pronouncement of a decision of final resolution, which shall be reached in
consultation before the writing of the opinion by any members of the
division. 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 Justice to sit temporarily with
them, forming a special division of five members and the concurrence of
a majority of such division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a
decision or final resolution. The designation of such additional Justice
shall be made strictly by raffle.
A month for reconsideration of its decision or final resolution shall be
resolved by the Court within ninety (90) days from the time it is submitted
for resolution, and no second motion for reconsideration from the same
party shall be entertainment. (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33, July
28, 1986.)
Section 12. Internal Rules. – The court en banc is authorized to
promulgate rules or orders governing the constitution of the divisions and
the assignment of Appellate Justices thereto, the distribution of cases,
and other matters pertaining to the operations of the Court of its divisions.
Copies of such rules and orders shall be furnished by the Supreme
Court, which rules and orders shall be effective fifteen (15) days after
receipt thereof, unless directed otherwise by the Supreme Court.
CHAPTER II
REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS
Section 13. Creation of Regional Trial Courts. – There are hereby
created thirteen (13) Regional Trial Courts, one for each of the following
judicial regions:
The First Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Abra, Benguet,
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, and Pangasinan,
and cities of Baguio, Dagupan, Laog and San Carlos;
The Second Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Batanes,
Cagayan, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, Nueva Viscaya, and Quirino;
The Third Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan
(except the municipality of valenzuela), Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac,
and Zambales, and the cities of Angeles, Cabanatuan, Olongapo,
Palayan and San Jose;
The National Capital Judicial Region, consisting of the cities of Manila,
Quezon, Pasay, Caloocan and Mandaluyong, and the municipalities of
Navotas, Malabon, San Juan, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Marikina,
Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Valenzuela;
The Fourth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Batangas,
Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental,
Palawan, Quezon, Rizal (except the cities and municipalities embraced
within the National Capital Judicial Region0, Romblon, and Aurora, and
the cities of Batangas, Cavite, Lipa, Lucena, Puerto Princessa, San
Pablo, Tagaytay, and Trece Martires;
The Fifth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Albay,
Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, and
Sorsogon, and the cities of Legaspi, Naga and Iriga;
The Sixth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Aklan, Antique,
Capiz, Iloilo, La Calota, Roxas, San Carlos, and Silay, and the
subprovince of Guimaras;
The Seventh Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Bohol, Cebu,
Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, and the cities of Bais, Canlaon, Cebu,
Danao, Dumaguete, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Tagbilaran, and Toledo,
The Eighth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces or Eastern
Samar, Leyte, Northern, Samar, Southern Leyte, Ormoc, and Tacloban:
The Ninth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Basilan, Sulu,
Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog,
Pagadian, and Zamboanga;
The Tenth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Agusan del
Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental,
Misamis Oriental, and Surigao del Norte, and the cities of Butuan,
Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog, Ozamis, Oroquieta, Surigao, and Tangub;
The Eleventh Judicial Region, consistingnof the provinces of Davao del
Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, and Surigao del
Sur, and the cities of Davao, and General Santos; and
The Twelfth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Lanao del
Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan
Kudarat, and the cities of Cotabato, Iligan, and Marawi.
In case of transfer or redistribution of the provinces, subprovinces, cities
or municipalities comprising the regions established by law of purposes
of the administrative field organization of the various departments and
agencies of the government, the composition of the judicial regions
herein constituted shall be deemed modified accordingly.
Section 14. Regional Trial Courts.
(a) Fifty-seven Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the First Judicial Region. There shall be.
Two branches (Branches III ans II) for the province of
Abra, with seats at Bangued;
Eight branches (Branches III to X) for the province of
Benguet and the city of Baguio, Branches III to VII with
seats at Baguio City, and Branches VIII to X at La
Trinidad;
Nine branches (Branches XI to XIX) for the province of
Ilocos Norte and the city of Laoag, Branches XI to XVI
with seats at Laoag City, Branches XVII and XVIII at
Batac, and Branch XIX at Bangui;
Six branches (Braches XX to XXV) for the province of
Ilocos Sur, Branches XX and XXI with seats at Vigan,
Branch XXII at Narvacan, Branch XXIII at Candon,
Branch XXIV at Cabugao, and Branch XXV at Tagudin;
Nine branches (Branches XXVI to XXXIV) for the province
of La Union, Branches XXVI to XXX with seats at San
Fernando, Branches XXXI and XXXII at Agoo, Branch
XXXIII at Bauang, and Branch XXXIV at Balaoan;
Two branches (Branches XXXV and XXXVI) for the
province of Mountain province, with seats at Bontoc; and
Twenty-one branches (Branches XXXVII to LVII) for the
province of Pangasinan and the citie sof dagupan and
san Carlos, Branches XXXVII to XXXIX with seats at
Lingayen, Branches XL to XLIV at dagupan, Branches
XLV to XLIX at Urdaneta, Branch L at Villasis, Branches
LI and LII at Tayug, Branch LIII at Rosalaes, Branches
LIV and LV at Alaminos, and Branch LVI and LVII at san
Carlos.
(b) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Second Judicial region. There shall be:
Twelve branches (Branches I to XII) for the province of
Cagayan, Branches I to V with seats at Tuguegarao,
Branches VI to X at Aparri, Branch XI at Tuao, and
Branch XII at Sanchez Mira;
One branch (Branch XIII) for the province of Batanes, with
seat at Basco;
Two branches (Branches XIV and XV) for the province of
Ifugao, Branch XIV with seat at Lagawe, and Branch XV
at Potia;
Nine branches (Branches XVI to XXIV) for the province of
Isabela, Branches XVI to XVIII with seats at Ilagan,
Branches XIX and XX at cauayan, Branch XXI at
Santiago, Branch XXII at Cabagan, Branch XXIII at
Roxas, and Branch XXIV at Echague;
 Two branches (Branches XXV and XXVI) for the province
of kalinga-Apayao, Branch XXV with seat at Tabuk, and
Branch XXVI at Luna;
Four branches (Branches XXVII to XXX) for the province
of Nueva Vizcaya, Branches XXVII to XXIX with seats at
Bayombong, and Branch XXX at Bambang;
Two branches (Branches XXXI and XXXII) for the
province of Quirino, with seats at Cabarroguis.
(c) Seventy-five Regional Trial judges shall be commissioned for
the Third Judicial Region. There shall be:
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the province of
Bataan, Branches I to III with seats at Balanga, Branch IV
at Mariveles, and Branch V at Dinalupihan;
Seventeen branches (Branches VI to XXII) for the
province of Bulacan (except the municipality of
Valuenzuela), with seats at Malolos;
Eighteen branches (Branches XXIII to XL) for the
province of Nueva Ecija and the cities of Cabanatuan,
San Jose and Palayan, Branches XXIII to XXX with seats
at Cabanatuan City, Branches XXXI to XXXIII at Guimba,
Branches XXXIV to XXXVI at Gapan, Branch XXXVII at
Sto. Domingo, Branches XXXVIII and XXXIX at San Jose,
and Branch XL at Palayan.
Twenty-two branches (Branches XLI to LXII) for the
province of Pampanga and the city of Angeles, Branches
XLI to XLVIII with seats at San Fernando, Branches XLIX
to LIII at Guagua, Branches LIV and LV at Macabebe,
and Branches LVI to LXII at Angeles City;
Six branches (Branches LXIII to LXVIII) for the province of
Tarlac, Branches LXVI at Capas, Branch LXVII at
Paniqui, and Branch LXVIII at Camiling; and
Seven branches (Branches LXIX to LXXV) for the
province of Zambales and the city of Olongapo, Branches
LXIX to LXXI with seats at Iba and Branches LXXII to
LXXV at Olongapo City
(d) One hundred seventy-two (172) Regional Trial Judges shall
be commissioned for the National Capital Judicial Region. There
shall be:
Fifty-five branches (Branches 1 to 55) for the City of
Manila, wit seats thereat;
Thirty-two branches (Branches 76 to 107) for Quezon
City, with seats thereat;
Twelve branches (Branches 108 to 119) for Pasay City,
with seats thereat;
Twelve branches (Branches 120 to 131) for Caloocan
City, with seats thereat;
Fifty-eight branches (Branches 56 to 74 and 132 to 170)
for the Municipalities of Navotas, Malabon, San Juan,
Madaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Marikina,
Parañaque, Las Piñas, and Muntinlupa; Branches 67 to
71 and 151 to 168 at Pasig; and Branches 72 to 74, 169
and 170 at Malabon; and
Three branches (Branches 75, 171 and 172) for the
municipality of Valenzuela, with seats thereat. (As
amended by EO No. 33, July 30, 1986.)
(e) Eihty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the
Fourth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Fourteen branches (Branches I to XIV) for the province of
Batangas and the cities of Lipa and Batangas, Branches I
to VI with seats at Batangas City, Branch V at Lemery,
Branches VI to VIII at Tanuan, Branches IX to XI at
Balayan, Branches XII and XIII at Lipa, and Branch XIV at
Nasugbu;
Nine branches (Branches XV to XXIII) for the province of
Cavite and the cities of Cavite, Tagaytay and Trece
Matires, Branch XV with seat at Naic, Branches XVII at
Cavite City, Branch XVIII at Tagayatay City, Branch XIX
at Bacoor, Branches XX to XXII at Imus, and Branch XXIII
at Trece Martires;
Fourteen branches (Branches XXIV to XXXVII) for the
province of Laguna and the city of San Pablo, Branches
XXVIII at Sta. Cruz, Branches XXIX to XXXII at San Pable
City, Branch XXXIII at Siniloan, and Branches XXXIV to
XXXVI at Calamba;
One branch (Branch XXXVIII) for the province of
Marinduque, with seat at Boac;
Five branches (Branches XXXIX to XLIII) for the province
of Mindoro Oriental, Branches XXXIX to XL with seats at
Calapan, Branches XLI and XLII at Pinamalayan, and
Branch XLII at Roxas;
Three branches (Branches XLVII to XLVI) for the province
of Mindoro Occidental, Branch XLIV with seat at
Mamburao, and Branches XLV and XLVI at San Jose;
Six branches (Branches XLVII to LII) for the province of
Palawan and the city of Puerto Princesa, with seats at
Puerto Princesa City;
Thirteen branches (Branches LIII to LXV) for the province
of Quezon and the city of Lucena, Branches LIII to LX
with seats at Lucena City, Branches LXI and LXII at
Gumaca, Branch LXIII at Calauag, Branch LXIV at
Mauban, and Branch LXV at Infanta;
One branchj(Branch LXVI) for the province of Aurora, with
seat at Baler;
Fourteen branches (Branches LXVII to LXXX) for the
province of Rizal except the cities and municipalities
embraced within the National Capital Judicial Region,
Branches LXVII to LXX with seats at Binangonan,
Branches LXXI to LXXIV at Antipolo, Branches LXXV to
LXXVII at San Mateo, and Branches LXXVIII to LXXX at
Morong; and
Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII) for the
province of Romblon, Branch LXXXI with seat at
Romblon, and Branch LXXXII at Odiongan.
(f) Fifty-five Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the
Fifth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Eighteen branches (Branches I to XVIII) for the province
of Albay and the city of Legaspi, Branches I to X with
seats at Legaspi City, Branches XI to XIV at Ligao, and
Branches XV to XVIII at Tabaco;
Nineteen branches (Branches XIX to XXXVII) for the
province of Camarines Sur and the cities of Naga and
Iriga, Branches XIX to XXVIII with seats at Naga City,
Branch XXIX at Libmanan, Branch XXX at Tigaon,
Braches XXXI to XXXIII at Pili, and Branches XXXIV to
XXXVII at Iriga City;
Four branches (Branches XXXVIII to XLII) for the
province of Camarines Norte, with seat at Daet;
Two branches (Branches XLII and XLII) for the province
of Catanduanes, with seats at Virac;
Seven branches (Branches XLIV to L) for the province of
Masbate, Branches XLIV to XLVIII with seats at Masbate,
Branch XLIX at Cataingan, and Branch L at San Jacinto;
and
Five branches (Branches LI to LV) for the province of
Sorsogon, Branches LI to LIII with seats at Sorsogon,
Branch LVI at Gubat, and Branch LV at Irosin.
(g) Sixty-three Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Sixth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Nine branches (Branches I to IX) for the province of
Aklan, with seats at Kalibo;
Four branches (Branches X to XIII) for the province of
Antique, Branches X to XII with seats at San Jose, and
Branch XIII and Culasi;
 Eighr branches (Branches XIV to XXI) for the province of
Capiz and the city of Roxas, Branches XIV to XIX with
seats at Roxas City and Branches XX and XXI at
Mambusao;
Eighteen branches (Branches XXII to XXXIX) for the
province of Iloilo, the subprovince of Guimaras, and the
city of Iloilo, with seats at Iloilo City; and
Twenty-four branches (Branches XL to LXIII) for the
province of Negros Occidental, and the cities of
Bacolod,Bago, Cadiz, La Carlota, San Carlos and Silay,
Branch XL with seat at Silay City, Branches XLI to LIV at
Bacolod City, Branches LV and LVI at Himamaylan,
Branches LVII to LIX at Kabankalan, Branch LXII at Bago
City, and Branch LXII at La Carlota City.
(h) Forty-six Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the
Seventh Judicial Region. There shall be:
Four branches (Branches I to IV) for the province of Bohol
and the city of Tagbilaran, with seats at Tagbilaran City;
Twenty-five branches (Branches V to XXIX) for the
province of Cebu and the cities of Cebu, Danao, Lapu-
Lapu, Mandaue and Toledo, Branches V to XXIV with
seats at Cebu City, Branch XXV at Danao City, Branch
XXVI at Argao, Branch XXVII at Lapu-Lapu City, Branch
XXVIII at Mandaue City, and Branch XXIX at Toledo City;
Sixteen branches (Branches XXX to XLV) for the province
of Negros Oriental and the cities of Dumaguete, Bais and
Canlaon, Branches XXX to XLIV with seats at Dumaguete
City, and Branch XLV at Bais City; and
One branch (Branch XLVI) for the province of Siquijor,
with seat at Larena.
(i) Thirty-three Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Eighth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the province of
Eastern Samar, Branches I and II with seats at Borongan,
Branch III at Guiuan, Branch IV at Dolores, and Branch V
at Oras;
Thirteen branches (Branches VI to XVIII) for the province
of Leyte, the sub-province of Biliran, and the cities of
Ormoc and Tacloban, Branches VI and IX with seats at
Tacloban City, Branch X at Abuyog, Branch XI at
Calubian, Branch XII at Ormoc City, Branch XIII at
Carigara, Branch XIV at Baybay, Branch XV at Burauen,
Branch XVI at Naval, Branch XVII at Palompon, and
Branch XVIII at Hilongos;
Five branches (Branches XIX to XXIII) for the province of
Northern Samar, Branches XIX and XX with seats at
Catarman, Branches XXI and XXII at Laoang, and Branch
XXIII at Allen;
Three branches (Branches XXIV to XXVI) for the province
of Southern Leyte, Branches XXIV and XXV with seats at
Maasin, and Branch XXVI at San Juan; and
Seven branches (Branches XXVII to XXXIII) for the
province of Samar and the city of Calbayog, Branches
XXVII to XXIX with seats at Catbalogan, Branch XXX at
Basey, Branches XXXI and XXXII at Calbayog City, and
Branch XXXIII at Calbiga.
(j) Twenty-four Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Ninth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Two branches (Branches I and II) for the province of
Basilan, with seats at Isabela;
Two branches (Branches III and IV) for the province of
Sulu, Branch III with seat at Jolo, and Branch IV at
Parang;
One branch (Branch V) for the province of Tawi-Tawi,
with seat at Bongao;
Six branches (Branches VI to XI) for the province of
Zamboanga del Norte, and the cities of Dipolog and
 Dapitan, Branches VI to X seats at Dipolog City, and
Branch XI at Sindangan; and
Thirteen branches (Branches XII to XXIV) for the province
of Zamboanga del Sur and the cities of Pagadian and
Zamboanga Branches XII to XVII with seats at
Zamboanga City, Branches, XVIII to XXII at Pagadian
City, Branch XXIII at Molave, and Branch XXIV at Ipil.
(k) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Tenth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the province of
Agusan del Norte and the city of Butuan, with seats at
Butuan City;
Two branches (Branches VI and VII) for the province of
Agusan del Sur, Branches VI with seat at Prosperidad
and Branch VII with seat at Bayugan;
Four branches (Branches VIII to XI) for the province of
Bukidnon, Branches VIII to X with seats at Malaybalay
and Branch XI at Manalo Fortich;
Five branches (Branches XII to XI) for the province of
Misamis Occidental and the cities of Oroquieta, Ozamis,
and Tangub, Branches XII to XIV with seats at Oroquieta
City, Branch XV at Ozamis City, and Branch XVI at
Tangub City;
Eleven branches (Branches XVII to XXVII) for the
province of Misamis Oriental and the cities of Cagayan de
Oro and Gingoog, Branches XVII to XXV with seats at
Cagayan de Oro City, Branch XXVI at Medina, and
Branch XXVII at Gingoog City;
One branch (Branch XXVIII) for the province of Camiguin,
with seat at Mambajao; and
Four branches (Branches XXIX to XXXII) for the province
of Surigao del Norte and the City of Surigao, Branches
XXIX and XXX with seats at Surigao City, Branch XXXI at
Dapa, and Branch XXXII at Dinagat, Dinagat Island.
(l) Twenty-nine Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for
the Eleventh Judicial Region. There shall be
Four branches (Branches I to IV) for the province of
Davao del Norte, Branches I and II with seats at Tagum,
Branch III at Nabunturan, and Branch IV at Panabo;
Three branches (Branches V to VII) for the province of
Davao Oriental, Branches V and VI with seats at Mati and
Branch VII at Banganga;
Fourteen branches (Branches VIII to XXI) for the province
of Davao del Sur and the city of Davao, Branches VIII to
XVII with seats at Davao City, Branches XVIII and XIX at
Digos, Branch XX at Malinta, and Branch XXI a Bansalan;
Five Branches (Branches XXII to XXVI) for the province of
South Cotabato and the city of General Santos, Branches
XXII and XXIII with seats at General Santos City,
Branches XXIV and XXV at Koronadal, and Branch XXVI
at Surallah; and
Three branches (Branches XXVII to XXIX) for the
province of Surigao del Sur, Branch XXVII with seat at
Tandag, Branch XXVIII at Lianga, and Branch XXIX at
Bislig.
(m) Twenty Regional Trial Judges shall be commissioned for the
Twelfth Judicial Region. There shall be:
Seven branches (Branches I to VII) for the province of
Lanao del Norte and the city of Iligan, Branches I to VI
with seats at Iligan City, and Branch VII at Tubod;
Five branches (Branches VIII to XII) for the province of
Lanao del Sur and the city of Marawi, Branches VIII to X
with seats at Marawi City, and Branches XI and XII at
Malabang;
Three branches (Branches XIII to XV) for the province of
Maguindanao and the city of Cotabato, Branches XIII and
XIV with seats at Cotabato City, and Branch XV at
Maganoy;
 Three branches (Branches XVI to XVIII) for the province
of North Cotabato, Branch XVI with seat at Kabacan,
Branch XVII at Kidapawan, and Branch XVIII at Missayap;
and
Two branches (Branches XIX and XX) for the province of
Sultan Kudarat, Branch XIX, with seat at Isulan, and
Branch XX at Tacurong.
Section 15. Qualifications. – No persons shall be appointed Regional
Trial Judge unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least
thirty-five years of age, and for at least ten 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.
Section 16. Time and duration of sessions. – The time and duration of
daily sessions of the Regional Trial Courts shall be determined by the
Supreme Court: Provided, however, That all motions, except those
requiring immediate action, shall be heard in the afternoon of every
Friday, unless it falls on a holiday, in which case, the hearing shall be
held on the afternoon of the next succeeding business day: Provided,
further, That the Supreme Court may, for good reasons, fix a different
motion day in specified areas
Section 17. Appointment and assignment of Regional Trial Judges. –
Every Regional Trial Judge shall be appointed to a region which shall be
his permanent station, and his appointment shall state the branch of the
court and the seat thereof to which he shall be originally assigned.
However, the Supreme Court may assign temporarily a Regional Trial
Judge to another region as public interest may require, provided that
such temporary assignment shall not last longer than six (6) months
without the consent of the Regional Trial Judge concerned.
A Regional Trial Judge may be assigned by the Supreme Court to any
branch or city or municipality within the same region as public interest
may require, and such assignment shall not be deemed an assignment to
another station within the meaning of this section.
Section 18. Authority to define territory appurtenant to each branch. –
The Supreme Court shall define the territory over which a branch of the
Regional Trial Court shall exercise its authority. The territory thus defined
shall be deemed to be the territorial area of the branch concerned for
purposes of determining the venue of all suits, proceedings or actions,
whether civil or criminal, as well as determining the Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts over the
said branch may exercise appellate jurisdiction. The power herein
granted shall be exercised with a view to making the courts readily
accessible to the people of the different parts of the region and making
the attendance of litigants and witnesses as inexpensive as possible.
Section 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. – Regional Trial Courts shall
exercise exclusive original jurisdiction:
(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is
incapable of pecuniary estimation;
(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of,
real property, or any interest therein, where the assessed value of
the property involved exceeds Twenty thousand pesos
(P20,000.00) or for civil actions in Metro Manila, where such the
value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (50,000.00) except actions
for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings,
original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon Metropolitan
Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts;
(3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where he
demand or claim exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or , in Metro Manila, where such demand or claim
exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);
(4) In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the
gross value of the estate exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila, where such
gross value exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);
(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital
relations;
(6) In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court,
tribunal, person or body exercising jurisdiction or any court,
tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial
functions;
 (7) In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the
exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Court and of the Courts of Agrarian Relations as now
provided by law; and
(8) In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest,
damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses,
and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds
One hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) or, in such other
abovementioned items exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos
(200,000.00). (as amended by R.A. No. 7691*)
Section 20. Jurisdiction in criminal cases. – Regional Trial Courts shall
exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in all criminal cases not within the
exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body, except those now
falling under the exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction of the
Sandiganbayan which shall hereafter be exclusively taken cognizance of
by the latter.
Section 21. Original jurisdiction in other cases. – Regional Trial Courts
shall exercise original jurisdiction:
(1) In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus,
quo warranto, habeas corpus and injunction which may be
enforced in any part of their respective regions; and
(2) In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers
and consuls.
Section 22. Appellate jurisdiction. – Regional Trial Courts shall exercise
appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their
respective territorial jurisdictions. Such cases shall be decided on the
basis of the entire record of the proceedings had in the court of origin and
such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by the parties or
required by the Regional Trial Courts. The decision of the Regional Trial
Courts in such cases shall be appealable by petition for review to the
Court of Appeals which may give it due course only when the petition
shows prima facie that the lower court has committed an error of fact or
law that will warrant a reversal or modification of the decision or judgment
sought to be reviewed.
Section 23. Special jurisdiction to try special cases. – The Supreme
Court may designate certain branches of the Regional Trial Courts to
handle exclusively criminal cases, juvenile and domestic relations cases,
agrarian cases, urban land reform cases which do not fall under the
jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies and agencies, and/or such other
special cases as the Supreme Court may determine in the interest of a
speedy and efficient administration of justice.
Section 24. Special Rules of Procedure. – Whenever a Regional Trial
Court takes cognizance of juvenile and domestic relation cases and/or
agrarian cases, the special rules of procedure applicable under present
laws to such cases shall continue to be applied, unless subsequently
amended by law or by rules of court promulgated by the Supreme Court.
CHAPTER III
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND
MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS
Section 25. Establishment of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. – 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 municipalities, and a
Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each circuit comprising such cities and/or
municipalities as are grouped together pursuant to law.
Section 26. Qualifications. – No person shall be appointed judge of a
Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal Circuit Trial
Court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 30
years of age, and, for at least five 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.
Section 27. Metropolitan Trial Courts of the National Capital Region. –
There shall be a Metropolitan Trial Court in the National Capital Region,
to be known as the Metropolitan Trial Court of Metro Manila, which shall
be composed of eighty-two (82) branches. There shall be:
Thirty branches (Branches I to XXX) for the city of Manila with
seats thereat;
Thirteen branches (Branches XXXI to XLIII) for Quezon City with
seats thereat;
 Five branches (Branches XLIV to XLVIII) for Pasay City with
seats thereat;
Five branches (Branches XLIX to LIII) for Caloocan City with
seats thereat;
One branch (Branch LIV) for Navotas with seat thereat;
Two branches (Branches LV and LVI) for Malabon with seats
thereat;
Two branches (Branches LVII and LVIII) for San Juan with seats
thereat;
Two branches (Branches LIX and LX) for Mandaluyong with seats
thereat;
Seven branches (Branches LXI and LXVII) for Makati with seats
thereat;
may be established by law whose territorial jurisdiction shall be co-
extensive with the cities and municipalities comprising the metropolitan
area.
Every Metropolitan Trial Judge shall be appointed to a metropolitan area
which shall be his permanent station and his appointment shall state
branch of the court and the seat thereof to which he shall be originally
assigned. A Metropolitan Trial Judge may be assigned by the Supreme
Court to any branch within said metropolitan area as the interest of
justice may require, and such assignment shall not be deemed an
assignment to another station within the meaning of this section.
Section 29. Municipal Trial Courts in cities. – In every city which does not
form part of a metropolitan area, there shall be a Municipal Trial Court
with one branch, except as hereunder provided:
Two branches for Laoag City;
Four branches for Baguio City;

Five branches (Branches LXVIII to LXXII) for Pasig with seats Three branches for Dagupan City;
thereat;
Five branches for Olongapo City;
One branch (Branch LXXIII) for Pateros with seat thereat;
Three branches for Cabanatuan City;
One branch (Branch LXXIV) for Taguig with seat thereat;
Two branches for San Jose City;
Two branches (Branches LXXV and LXXVI) for Marikina with
seats thereat; Three branches for Angeles City;

Two branches (Branches LXXVII and LXXVIII) for Parañaque with Two branches for Cavite City;
seats thereat;
Two branches for Batangas City;
One branch (Branch LXXIX) for Las Piñas with seat thereat;
Two branches for Lucena City;
One branch (Branch LXXX) for Muntinlupa with seat thereat;
Three branches for Naga City;
Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII) for Valenzuela with
seats thereat; Two branches for Iriga City;

Section 28. Other Metropolitan Trial Courts. – The Supreme Court shall Three branches for Legaspi City;
constitute Metropolitan Trial Courts in such other metropolitan areas as
 Two branches for Roxas City; shall be a Municipal Trial Court which shall have one branch, except as
hereunder provided:
Four branches for Iloilo City;
Two branches for San Fernando, La Union;
Seven branches for Bacolod City;
Four branches for Tuguegarao;
Two branches for Dumaguete City;
Three branches for Lallo, and two branches for Aparri, both of
Two branches for Tacloban City; Cagayan;

Eight branches for Cebu City; Two branches for Santiago, Isabela;

Three branches for Mandaue City; Two branches each for Malolos, Meycauayan and Bulacan, all of
Bulacan Province;
Two branches for Tagbilaran City;
Four branches for San Fernando and two branches for Guagua,
Two branches for Surigao City; both of Pampanga;

Two branches for Butuan City; Two branches for Tarlac, Tarlac;

Five branches for Cagayan de Oro City; Two branches for San Pedro, Laguna; and

Seven branches for Davao City; Two branches each for Antipolo and Binangonan, both in Rizal.

Three branches for General Santos City; Section 31. Municipal Circuit Trial Court. – There shall be a Municipal
Circuit Trial Court in each area defined as a municipal circuit, comprising
one or more cities and/or one or more municipalities. The municipalities
Two branches for Oroquieta City;
comprising municipal circuits as organized under Administrative Order
No. 33, issued on June 13, 1978 by the Supreme Court pursuant to
Three branches for Ozamis City; Presidential Decree No. 537, are hereby constituted as municipal circuits
for purposes of the establishment of the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts,
Two branches for Dipolog City; and the appointment thereto of Municipal Circuit Trial Judges: Provided,
however, That the Supreme Court may, as the interests of justice may
Four branches for Zamboanga City; require, further reorganize the said courts taking into account workload,
geographical location, and such other factors as will contribute to a
Two branches for Pagadian City; and rational allocation thereof, pursuant to the provisions of Presidential
Decree No. 537 which shall be applicable insofar as they are not
Two branches for Iligan City. inconsistent with this Act.

Section 30. Municipal Trial Courts. – In each of the municipalities that Every Municipal Circuit Trial Judge shall be appointed to a municipal
are not comprised within a metropolitan area and a municipal circuit there circuit which shall be his official station.
The Supreme Court shall determine the city or municipality where the
Municipal Circuit Trial Court shall hold sessions.
Section 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in criminal cases. – Except in
cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional Trial
Courts and of the Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall exercise:
(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or
municipal ordinances committed within their respective territorial
jurisdiction; and
(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses punishable with
imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years irrespective of the
amount of fine, and regardless of other imposable accessory or
other penalties, including the civil liability arising from such
offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of kind, nature, value,
or amount thereof: Provided, however, That in offenses involving
damage to property through criminal negligence they shall have
exclusive original jurisdiction thereof. (as amended by R.A, No.
7691)
Section 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in civil cases. – Metropolitan
Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
shall exercise:
(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate
proceedings, testate and intestate, including the grant of
provisional remedies in proper cases, where the value of the
personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not
exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in Metro
Manila where such personal property, estate, or amount of the
demand does not exceed Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00) exclusive of interest damages of whatever kind,
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs, the amount of
which must be specifically alleged: Provided, That where there
are several claims or causes of action between the same or
different parties, embodied in the same complaint, the amount of
the demand shall be the totality of the claims in all the causes of
action, irrespective of whether the causes of action arose out of
the same or different transactions;
(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and
unlawful detainer: Provided, That when, in such cases, the
defendant raises the question of ownership in his pleadings and
the question of possession cannot be resolved without deciding
the issue of ownership, the issue of ownership shall be resolved
only to determine the issue of possession.
(3) Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve
title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein
where the assessed value of the property or interest therein does
not exceed Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or, in civil
actions in Metro Manila, where such assessed value does not
exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) exclusive of interest,
damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses
and costs: Provided, That value of such property shall be
determined by the assessed value of the adjacent lots. (as
amended by R.A. No. 7691)
Section 34. Delegated jurisdiction in cadastral and land registration
cases. – Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts may be assigned by the Supreme Court to hear and
determine cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there
is no controversy or opposition, or contested lots the where the value of
which does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00),
such value to be ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant or by
agreement of the respective claimants if there are more than one, or from
the corresponding tax declaration of the real property. Their decisions in
these cases shall be appealable in the same manner as decisions of the
Regional Trial Courts. (as amended by R.A. No. 7691)
Section 35. Special jurisdiction in certain cases. – In the absence of all
the Regional Trial Judges in a province or city, any Metropolitan Trial
Judge, Municipal Trial Judge, Municipal Circuit Trial Judge may hear and
decide petitions for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in
criminal cases in the province or city where the absent Regional Trial
Judges sit.
Section 36. Summary procedures in special cases. – In Metropolitan
Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts with at least two branches, the
Supreme Court may designate one or more branches thereof to try
exclusively forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases, those involving
violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations, violations of the rental law,
and such other cases requiring summary disposition as the Supreme
Court may determine. The Supreme Court shall adopt special rules or
procedures applicable to such cases in order to achieve an expeditious
and inexpensive determination thereof without regard to technical rules.
Such simplified procedures may provide that affidavits and counter-
affidavits may be admitted in lieu of oral testimony and that the periods
for filing pleadings shall be non-extendible.
Section 37. Preliminary investigation. – 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.
The preliminary investigation shall be conducted in accordance with the
procedure prescribed in Section 1, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (d), of
Presidential Decree No. 911: Provided, however, That if after the
preliminary investigation the Judge finds a prima facie case, he shall
forward the records of the case to the Provincial/City Fiscal for the filing
of the corresponding information with the proper court.
No warrant of arrest shall be issued by the Judge in connection with any
criminal complaint filed with him for preliminary investigation, unless after
an examination in writing and under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and his witnesses, he finds that a probable cause exists.
Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance herewith may be served
anywhere in the Philippines.
Section 38. Judgments and processes. –
(1) All judgments determining the merits of cases shall be in
writing, stating clearly the facts and the law on which they were
based, signed by the Judge and filed with the Clerk of Court.
Such judgment shall be appealable to the Regional Trial Courts in
accordance with the procedure now prescribed by law for appeals
to the Court of First Instance, by the provisions of this Act, and by
such rules as the Supreme Court may hereafter prescribe.
(2) All processes issued by the Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, in cases
falling within their jurisdiction, may be served anywhere in the
Philippines without the necessity of certification by the Judge of
the Regional Trial Court.
CHAPTER IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 39. Appeals. – The period for appeal from final orders,
resolutions, awards, judgments, or decisions of any court in all cases
shall be fifteen (15) days counted from the notice of the final order,
resolution, award, judgment, or decision appealed from: Provided
however, That in habeas corpus cases, the period for appeal shall be
forty-eight (48) hours from the notice of the judgment appealed from.
No record on appeal shall be required to take an appeal. In lieu thereof,
the entire record shall be transmitted with all the pages prominently
numbered consecutively, together with an index of the contents thereof.
This section shall not apply in appeals in special proceedings and in
other cases wherein multiple appeals are allowed under applicable
provisions of the Rules of Court.
Section 40. Form of decision in appealed cases. – Every decision of final
resolution of a court in appealed cases shall clearly and distinctly state
the findings of fact and the conclusions of law on which it is based, which
may be contained in the decision or final resolution itself, or adopted by
reference from those set forth in the decision, order, or resolution
appealed from.
Section 41. Salaries. – Intermediate Appellate Justices, Regional Trial
Judges, Metropolitan Trial Judges, Municipal Trial Judges, and Municipal
Circuit Trial Judges shall receive such compensation and allowances as
may be authorized by the President along the guidelines set forth in
Letter of Implementation No. 93 pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 985,
as amended by Presidential Decree No. 1597.
Section 42. Longevity pay. – A monthly longevity pay equivalent to 5% of
the monthly basic pay shall be paid to the Justices and Judges of the
courts herein created for each five years of continuous, efficient, and
meritorious service rendered in the judiciary; Provided, That in no case
shall the total salary of each Justice or Judge concerned, after this
longevity pay is added, exceed the salary of the Justice or Judge next in
rank.
Section 43. Staffing pattern. – The Supreme Court shall submit to the
President, within thirty (30) days from the date of the effectivity of this Act,
a staffing pattern for all courts constituted pursuant to this Act which shall
be the basis of the implementing order to be issued by the President in letters of instructions and general order or parts thereof, inconsistent with
accordance with the immediately succeeding section. the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or accordingly modified.

Section 44. Transitory provisions. – The provisions of this Act shall be Section 48. Date of Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect immediately.
immediately carried out in accordance with an Executive Order to be
issued by the President. The Court of Appeals, the Courts of First Approved: August 14, 1981
Instance, the Circuit Criminal Courts, the Juvenile and Domestic
Relations Courts, the Courts of Agrarian Relations, the City Courts, the Footnotes
Municipal Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Courts shall continue to
function as presently constituted and organized, until the completion of
*Other provisions of the Act:
the reorganization provided in this Act as declared by the President.
Upon such declaration, the said courts shall be deemed automatically
abolished and the incumbents thereof shall cease to hold office. The "Section. 5. After five(5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the
cases pending in the old Courts shall be transferred to the appropriate jurisdictional amounts mentioned in Sec. 19(3), (4), and (8); and
Courts constituted pursuant to this Act, together with the pertinent Sec. 33(1) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 as amended by this Act,
functions, records, equipment, property and the necessary personnel. shall be adjusted to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
five (5) years thereafter, such jurisdictional amounts shall be
adjusted further to Three hundred thousand pesos
The applicable appropriations shall likewise be transferred to the
(P300,000.00): Provided, however, That in the case of Metro
appropriate courts constituted pursuant to this Act, to be augmented as
Manila, the abovementioned jurisdictional amounts shall be
may be necessary from the funds for organizational changes as provided
adjusted after five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act of Four
in Batas Pambansa Blg. 80. Said funding shall thereafter be included in
hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00).
the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section. 7. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all civil cases
Section 45. Shari'a Courts. – Shari'a Courts to be constituted as
that have not yet reached the pre-trial stage. However, by
provided for in Presidential Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the
agreement of all the parties, civil cases cognizable by municipal
"Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines," shall be included in
and metropolitan courts by the provisions of this Act may be
the funding appropriations so provided in this Act.
transferred from the Regional Trial Courts to the latter. The
executive judge of the appropriate Regional Trial Court shall
Section 46. Gratuity of judges and personnel separated from office. – All define the administrative procedure of transferring the cases
members of the judiciary and subordinate employees who shall be affected by the redefinition of jurisdiction to the Metropolitan Trial
separated from office by reason of the reorganization authorized herein, Courts, Municipal Trial Court, and Municipal Circuit Trial Court."
shall be granted a gratuity at a rate equivalent to one month's salary for
every year of continuous service rendered in any branch of the
*Criminal cases falling within the jurisdiction of Family Courts
government or equivalent nearest fraction thereof favorable to them on
(established by the Family Courts Act of 1997 [R.A. No. 8369])
the basis of the highest salary received: Provided, That such member of
have been transferred from Metropolitan trial Courts, Municipal
the judiciary or employee shall have the option to retire under the
Trial Courts,
Judiciary Retirement Law or general retirement law, if he has met or
satisfied the requirements therefor.
Municipal trial Court in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts to Regional trial Courts under A.M.
Section 47. Repealing clause. – The provisions of Republic Act No. 296,
No. 99-1-13-SC effective March 1, 1999.
otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 1948, as amended, of Republic
Act No. 5179 as amended, of the Rules of Court, and of all other statutes,
Republic Act No. 7691 March 25, 1994
AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE METROPOLITAN
TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL
CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS
PAMBANSA, BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "JUDICIARY
REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled::
Section 1. Section 19 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as
the "Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980", is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. – Regional Trial Courts shall
exercise exclusive original jurisdiction.
"(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation
is incapable of pecuniary estimation;
"(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or
possession of, real property, or any interest therein,
where the assessed value of the property involved
exceeds Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000,00) or, for civil
actions in Metro Manila, where such 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,
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; and
"(8) In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of
interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees,
litigation expenses, and costs or the value of the property
in controversy exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(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)."
Section 2. Section 32 of the same law is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in Criminal Cases. –
Except in cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of
Regional Trial Courts and of the Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan
Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts shall exercise:
"(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city
or municipal ordinances committed within their respective
territorial jurisdiction; and
"(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses
punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years
irrespective of the amount of fine, and regardless of other
imposable accessory or other penalties, including the civil
liability arising from such offenses or predicated thereon,
irrespective of kind, nature, value or amount thereof:
Provided, however, That in offenses involving damage to
 property through criminal negligence, they shall have
exclusive original jurisdiction thereof."
Section 3. Section 33 of the same law is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in Civil Cases. –
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts shall exercise:
"(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and
probate proceedings, testate and intestate, including the
grant of provisional remedies in proper cases, where the
value of the personal property, estate, or amount of the
demand does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila where such personal
property, estate, or amount of the demand does not
exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00),
exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind,
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs, the amount
of which must be specifically alleged: Provided, That
interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees,
litigation expenses, and costs shall be included in the
determination of the filing fees: Provided, further, That
where there are several claims or causes of actions
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 questions 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; and
"(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 in cases of land not
declared for taxation purposes, the value of such property
shall be determined by the assessed value of the
adjacent lots."
Section 4. Section 34 of the same law is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 34. Delegated Jurisdiction in Cadastral and Land
Registration Cases. – Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts may be assigned by the
Supreme Court to hear and determine cadastral or land
registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy or
opposition, or contested lots 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."
Section 5. After five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the
jurisdictional amounts mentioned in Sec. 19(3), (4), and (8); and Sec.
33(1) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 as amended by this Act, shall be
adjusted to Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00). Five (5) years
thereafter, such jurisdictional amounts shall be adjusted further to Three
hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00): Provided, however, That in the
case of Metro Manila, the abovementioned jurisdictional amounts shall be
adjusted after five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to Four hundred
thousand pesos (P400,000.00).
Section 6. All laws, decrees, and orders inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act shall be considered amended or modified accordingly.
Section 7. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all civil cases that
have not yet reached the pre-trial stage. However, by agreement of all
the parties, civil cases cognizable by municipal and metropolitan courts
by the provisions of this Act may be transferred from the Regional Trial
Courts to the latter. The executive judge of the appropriate Regional Trial
Courts shall define the administrative procedure of transferring the cases
affected by the redefinition of jurisdiction to the Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.

Section 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved: March 25, 1994

Republic Act No. 9282 March 30 2004
AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF TAX
APPEALS (CTA), ELEVATING ITS RANK TO THE LEVEL OF A
COLLEGIATE COURT WITH SPECIAL JURISDICTION AND
ENLARGING ITS MEMBERSHIP, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
CERTAIN SECTIONS OR REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1125, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LAW CREATING THE COURT OF TAX
APPEALS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 1125, as amended is hereby
further amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. Court; Justices; Qualifications; Salary; Tenure. -
There is hereby created a Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) which
shall be of the same level as the Court of Appeals, possessing all
the inherent powers of a Court of Justice, and shall consist of a
Presiding Justice and five (5) Associate Justices. The incumbent
Presiding Judge and Associate Judges shall continue in office
and bear the new titles of Presiding Justice and Associate
Justices. The Presiding Justice and the most Senior Associate
Justice shall serve as chairmen of the two (2) Divisions. The
additional three (3) Justices and succeeding members of the
Court shall be appointed by the President upon nomination by the
Judicial and Bar Council. The Presiding Justice shall be so
designated in his appointment, and the Associate Justices shall
have precedence according to the date of their respective
appointments, or when the appointments of two (2) or more of
them shall bear the same date, according to the order in which
their appointments were issued by the President. They shall have
the same qualifications, rank, category, salary, emoluments and
other privileges, be subject to the same inhibitions and
disqualifications, and enjoy the same retirements and other
benefits as those provided for under existing laws for the
Presiding Justice and Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals.
"Whenever the salaries of the Presiding Justice and the
Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals are increased, such
increases in salaries shall be deemed correspondingly extended
to and enjoyed by the Presiding Justice and Associate Justices of
the CTA.
"The Presiding Justice and Associate Justices shall hold office
during good behavior, until they reach the age of seventy (70), or
become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office,
unless sooner removed for the same causes and in the same
manner provided by law for members of the judiciary of
equivalent rank."
Section 2. Section 2 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 2. Sitting En Banc or Division; Quorum; Proceedings. - The
CTA may sit en banc or in two (2) Divisions, each Division
consisting of three (3) Justices.
"Four (4) Justices shall constitute a quorum for sessions en banc
and two (2) Justices for sessions of a Division: Provided, That
when the required quorum cannot be constituted due to any
vacancy, disqualification, inhibition, disability, or any other lawful
cause, the Presiding Justice shall designate any Justice of other
Divisions of the Court to sit temporarily therein.
"The affirmative votes of four (4) members of the Court en banc
or two (2) members of a Division, as the case may be, shall be
necessary for the rendition of a decision or resolution."
Section 3. Section 3 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 3. Clerk of Court; Division Clerks of Court; Appointment;
Qualification; Compensation. - The CTA shall have a Clerk of
Court and three (3) Division Clerks of Court who shall be
appointed by the Supreme Court. No person shall be appointed
Clerk of Court or Division Clerk of Court unless he is duly
authorized to practice law in the Philippines. The Clerk of Court
and Division Clerks of Court shall exercise the same powers and
perform the same duties in regard to all matters within the Court's
jurisdiction, as are exercised and performed by the Clerk of Court
and Division Clerks of Court of the Court of Appeals, in so far as
the same may be applicable or analogous; and in the exercise of
those powers and the performance of those duties they shall be
 under the direction of the Court. The Clerk of Court and the
Division Clerks of Court shall have the same rank, privileges,
salary, emoluments, retirement and other benefits as those
provided for the Clerk of Court and Division Clerks of Court of the
Court of Appeals, respectively.'
Section 4. Section 4 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 4. Other Subordinate Employees. - The Supreme Court
shall appoint all officials and employees of the CTA, in
accordance with the Civil Service Law. The Supreme Court shall
fix their salaries and prescribe their duties."
Section 5. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 5. Disqualifications. - No Justice or other officer or
employee of the CTA shall intervene, directly or indirectly, in the
management or control of any private enterprise which in any way
may be affected by the functions of the Court. Justices of the
Court shall be disqualified from sitting in any case on the same
grounds provided under Rule one hundred thirty-seven of the
Rules of Court for the disqualification of judicial officers. No
person who has once served in the Court in a permanent
capacity, either as Presiding Justice or as Associate Justice
thereof, shall be qualified to practice as counsel before the Court
for a period of one (1) year from his retirement or resignation."
Section 6. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 6. Place of Office. - The CTA shall have its principal office
in Metro Manila and shall hold hearings at such time and place as
it may, by order in writing, designate."
Section 7. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Sec. 7. Jurisdiction. - The CTA shall exercise:
"a. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal, as
herein provided:
"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 nonagricultural 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.
"b. Jurisdiction over cases involving criminal offenses as
herein provided:
"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 o taxes and fees, exclusive of charges
and penalties, claimed is less than One million
pesos (P1,000,000.00) or where there is no
specified amount claimed shall be tried by the
regular Courts and the jurisdiction of the CTA
shall be appellate. Any provision of law or the
Rules of Court to the contrary notwithstanding, the
criminal action and the corresponding civil action
for the recovery of civil liability for taxes and
penalties shall at all times be simultaneously
instituted with, and jointly determined in the same
proceeding by the CTA, the filing of the criminal
action being deemed to necessarily carry with it
the filing of the civil action, and no right to reserve
the filling of such civil action separately from the
criminal action will be recognized.
"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 respected 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:
"1. 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
One million pesos (P1,000,000.00)
shall be tried by the proper
Municipal Trial Court, Metropolitan
Trial Court and Regional Trial
Court.
"2. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction
in tax collection cases:
"a. 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.
"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 collection cases
originally decided by the
Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts and
Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts, in their respective
jurisdiction."
Section 8. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 10. Power to Administer Oaths; Issue Subpoena; Punish
for Contempt. - The Court shall have the power to administer
oaths, receive evidence, summon witnesses by subpoena duces
tecum, subject in all respects to the same restrictions and
qualifications as applied in judicial proceedings of a similar
nature. The Court shall, in accordance with Rule seventy-one of
the Rules of Court, have the power to punish for contempt for the
same causes, under the same procedure and with the same
penalties provided therein."
Section 9. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"SEC. 11. Who May Appeal; Mode of Appeal; Effect of Appeal. -
Any party adversely affected by a decision, ruling or inaction of
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Commissioner of
Customs, the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Trade and
Industry or the Secretary of Agriculture or the Central Board of
Assessment Appeals or the Regional Trial Courts may file an
appeal with the CTA within thirty (30) days after the receipt of
such decision or ruling or after the expiration of the period fixed
by law for action as referred to in Section 7(a)(2) herein.
Section 10. Section 13 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"Appeal shall be made by filing a petition for review under a
procedure analogous to that provided for under Rule 42 of the
1997 Rules of Civil Procedure with the CTA within thirty (30) days
from the receipt of the decision or ruling or in the case of inaction
as herein provided, from the expiration of the period fixed by law
to act thereon. A Division of the CTA shall hear the appeal:
Provided, however, That with respect to decisions or rulings of
the Central Board of Assessment Appeals and the Regional Trial
Court in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction appeal shall be
made by filing a petition for review under a procedure analogous
to that provided for under rule 43 of the 1997 Rules of Civil
Procedure with the CTA, which shall hear the case en banc.
"All other cases involving rulings, orders or decisions filed with
the CTA as provided for in Section 7 shall be raffled to its
Divisions. A party adversely affected by a ruling, order or decision
of a Division of the CTA may file a motion for reconsideration of
new trial before the same Division of the CTA within fifteens (15)
days from notice thereof: Provide, however, That in criminal
cases, the general rule applicable in regular Courts on matters of
prosecution and appeal shall likewise apply.
"No appeal taken to the CTA from the decision of the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue or the Commissioner of
Customs or the Regional Trial Court, provincial, city or municipal
treasurer or the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Trade and
Industry and Secretary of Agriculture, as the case may be shall
suspend the payment, levy, distraint, and/or sale of any property
of the taxpayer for the satisfaction of his tax liability as provided
by existing law: Provided, however, That when in the opinion of
the Court the collection by the aforementioned government
agencies may jeopardize the interest of the Government and/or
the taxpayer the Court any stage of the proceeding may suspend
the said collection and require the taxpayer either to deposit the
amount claimed or to file a surety bond for not more than double
the amount with the Court.
"In criminal and collection cases covered respectively by Section
7(b) and (c) of this Act, the Government may directly file the said
cases with the CTA covering amounts within its exclusive and
original jurisdiction."
 "SEC. 13. Decision, Maximum Period for Termination of Cases. -
Cases brought before the Court shall be decided in accordance
with Section 15, paragraph (1), Article VIII (Judicial Department)
of the 1987 Constitution. Decisions of the Court shall be in
writing, stating clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on
which they are based, and signed by the Justices concurring
therein. The Court shall provide for the publication of its decision
in the Official Gazette in such form and manner as may best be
adopted for public information and use.
"The Justices of the Court shall each certify on their applications
for leave, and upon salary vouchers presented by them for
payment, or upon the payrolls under which their salaries are paid,
that all proceedings, petitions and motions which have been
submitted to the Court for determination or decision for a period
required by the law or the Constitution, as the case may be, have
been determined or decided by the Court on or before the date of
making the certificate, and no leave shall be granted and no
salary shall be paid without such certificate."
Section 11. Section 18 of the same Act is hereby amended as follows:
"SEC. 18. Appeal to the Court of Tax Appeals En Banc. - No civil
proceeding involving matter arising under the National Internal
Revenue Code, the Tariff and Customs Code or the Local
Government Code shall be maintained, except as herein
provided, until and unless an appeal has been previously filed
with the CTA and disposed of in accordance with the provisions
of this Act.
"A party adversely affected by a resolution of a Division of the
CTA on a motion for reconsideration or new trial, may file a
petition for review with the CTA en banc."
"SEC. 19. Review by Certiorari. - A party adversely affected by a
decision or ruling of the CTA en banc may file with the Supreme
Court a verified petition for review on certiorari pursuant to Rule
45 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure."
Section 13. Distraint of Personal Property and/or Levy on Real Property.
- Upon the issuance of any ruling, order or decision by the CTA favorable
to the national government, the CTA shall issue an order authorizing the
Bureau of Internal Revenue, through the Commissioner to seize and
distraint any goods, chattels, or effects, and the personal property,
including stocks and other securities, debts, credits, bank accounts, and
interests in and rights to personal property and/or levy the real property of
such persons in sufficient quantity to satisfy the tax or charge together
with any increment thereto incident to delinquency. This remedy shall not
be exclusive and shall not preclude the Court from availing of other
means under the Rules of Court.
Section 14. Retention of Personnel; Security of Tenure; Upgrading of
Positions and Salaries. - All existing permanent personnel of the CTA
shall not be adversely affected by this Act. They shall continue in office
and shall not be removed or separated from the service except for cause
as provided for by existing laws. Further, the present positions and
salaries of personnel shall be upgraded to the level of their counterparts
in the Court of Appeals.
Section 15. Transitory Provisions. - In consonance with the above
provision, the incumbent Presiding Judge and Associate Judges shall
comprise a Division pending the constitution of the entire Court.
Section 16. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act
of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
Section 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, executive
issuances or letter of instructions, or any part thereof, inconsistent with or
contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.
Section 18. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or
provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other
parts thereof not affected thereby shall remain valid.
Section 19. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15)
days following its publication in at least (2) newspapers of general
circulation.
Approved: March 30 2004
Republic Act No. 8249 February 5, 1997
AN ACT FURTHER DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OF THE
SANDIGANBAYAN, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1606, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled::
Section 1. The first paragraph of Section 1 of Presidential Decree No.
1606, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 1. Sandiganbayan; Composition, Qualifications;
Tenure; Removal and Compensation. - A special court, of the
same level as the Court of Appeals and possessing all the
inherent powers of a court ofjustice, to be known as the
Sandiganbayan is hereby created composed of a presiding
justice and fourteen associate justices who shall be appointed by
the President."
Section 2. Section 2 of the same decree is hereby further amended to
read as follows:
"SECTION 2. Official Station; Place of Holding Sessions. - The
Sandiganbayan shall have its principal office in the Metro Manila
area and shall hold sessions thereat for the trial and
determination of cases filed with it: Provided, however, That
cases originating from the principal geographical regions of the
country, that is, from Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, shall be heard
in their respective regions of origin except only when the greater
convenience of the accused and of the witnesses, or other
compelling considerations require the contrary, in which instance
a case originating from one geographical region may be heard in
another geographical region: Provided, further, That for this
purpose the presiding justice shall authorize any divisions of the
court to hold sessions at any time and place outside Metro Manila
and, where the interest of justice so requires, outside the
territorial boundaries of the Philippines. The Sandiganbayan may
require the services of the personnel and the use of facilities of
the courts or other government offices where any of the divisions
is holding sessions and the personnel of such courts or offices
shall be subject to the orders of the Sandiganbayan."
Section 3. The second paragraph of Section 3 of the same decree is
hereby deleted.
Section 4. Section 4 of the same decree is hereby further amended to
read as follows:
"a. Violations of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise
known as the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act, 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 sangguniang panlalawigan and
provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers and
other provincial department heads;
"(b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the
sangguniang panlungsod, city treasurers,
assessors engineers and other city department
heads;
"(c) Officials of the diplomatic service occupying
the position of consul and higher;
"(d) Philippine army and air force colonels, naval
captains, and all officers of higher rank;
"(e) Officers of the Philippine National Police while
occupying the position of provincial director and
those holding the rank of senior superintendent or
higher;
 "(f) City and provincial prosecutors and their
assistants, and officials and prosecutors in the
Office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor;
"(g) Presidents, directors or trustees, or managers
of government-owned or -controlled corporations,
state universities or educational institutions or
foundations;
"(2) Members of Congress and officials thereof classified
as Grade'27'and up under the Compensation and Position
Classification Act of 1989;
"(3) Members of the judiciary without prejudice to the
provisions of the Constitution;
"(4) Chairmen and members of Constitutional
Commissions, without prejudice to the provisions of the
Constitution; and
"(5) All other national and local officials classified as
Grade'27'and higher under the Compensation and
Position Classification Act of 1989.
"b. Other offenses orfelonies 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.
"c. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection
with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, issued in 1986.
"In cases where none of the accused are occupying positions
corresponding to salary grade '27' or higher, as prescribed in the
said Republic Act No. 6758, or military or 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 jurisdiction as provided in Batas
Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended.
"The Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive appellate
jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions or orders or regional
trial courts whether in the exercise of their own original jurisdiction
orof their appellate jurisdiction as herein provided.
"The Sandiganbayan shall have exclusive original jurisdiction
over petitions for the issuance of the writs of mandamus,
prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunctions, and other
ancillary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction and
over petitions of similar nature, including quo warranto, arising or
that may arise in cases filed or which may be filed under
Executive Order Nos. 1,2,14 and 14-A, issued in 1986: Provided,
That the jurisdiction over these petitions shall not be exclusive of
the Supreme Court.
The procedure prescribed in Batas Pambansa Blg. 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 Sandiganbayan and from the
Sandiganbayan to the Supreme Court, the Office of the
Ombudsman, through its special prosecutor, shall represent the
People of the Philippines, except in cases filed pursuant to
Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, issued in 1986.
"In case private individuals are charged as co-principals,
accomplices or accessories with the public officers or employees,
including those employed in govemment-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.
"Any provisions of law or Rules of Court to the contrary
notwithstanding, the criminal action and the corresponding civil
action for the recovery of civil liability shall at all times be
simultaneously instituted with, and jointly determined in, the same
proceeding by the Sandiganbayan or the appropriate courts, the
filing of the criminal action being deemed to necessarily carry with
it the filing of the civil action, and no right to reserve the filing of
such civil action separately from the criminal action shall be
recognized: Provided, however, That where the civil action had
therefore been filed separately but judgment therein has not yet
been rendered, and the criminal case is hereafter filed with the
Sandiganbayan or the appropriate court, said civil action shall be
transferred to the Sandiganbayan or the appropriate court, as the
 case may be, for consolidation and joint determination with the
criminal action, otherwise the separate civil action shall be
deemed abandoned."
Section 5. Section 7 of the same decree is hereby further amended to
read as follows:
'SECTION 7. Form, Finality and Enforcement of Decisions. - All
decisions and final orders determining the merits of a case or
finally disposing of the action or proceedings of the
Sandijanbayan shall contain complete findings of the facts and
the law on which they are based, on all issues properly raised
before it and necessary in deciding the case.
Section 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the
initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current
fiscal year appropriations of the Sandiganbayan. Thereafter, such sums
as may be needed for its continued implementation shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.
Section 7. Transitory Provision. - This Act shall apply to all cases
pending in any court over which trial has not begun as of the approval
hereof
Section 8. Separability of Provisions. - If for any reason any provision
of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions
not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

"A petition for reconsideration of any final order or decision may Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All acts, decrees, general orders and
be filed within fifteen (15) days from promulgation or notice of the circulars, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
final order on judgment, and such motion for reconsideration shall hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
be decided within thirty (30) days from submission thereon.
Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
"Decisions and final orders ofthe Sandiganbyan shall be its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
appealable to the Supreme Court by petition for review on circulation.
certiorari raising pure questions of law in accordance with Rule 45
of the Rules of Court. Whenever, in any case decided by the Approved: February 5, 1997
Sandiganbayan, the penalty of reclusion perpetua, life
imprisonment or death is imposed, the decision shall be
appealable to the Supreme Court in the manner prescribed in the
Rules of Court.

"Judgments and orders of the Sandiganbayan shall be executed

and enforced in the manner provided by law.

"Decisions and final orders of other courts in cases cognizable by

said courts under this decree as well as those rendered by them
in the exercise of their appellate jurisdiction shall be appealable
to, or be reviewable by, the Sandiganbayan in the manner
provided by Rule 122 of the Rules of the Court.

"In case, however, the imposed penalty by the Sandiganbayan or

the regional trial court in the proper exercise of their respective
jurisdictions, is death, review by the Supreme Court shall be
automatic, whether or not accused files an appeal."