PHILIPPINE COURTS

1. EXISTING PHILIPPINE COURTS

a. Supreme Court (Constitution Art. VIII, Secs. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 9)
Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as
may be established by law.

Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving
rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has
been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any
branch or instrumentality of the Government.

Section 4. (1) The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate
Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven Members. Any
vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence thereof.

(2) All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law,
which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all other cases which under the Rules of
Court are required to be heard en banc, including those involving the constitutionality, application,
or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other
regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took
part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.

(3) Cases or matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence of a
majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and
voted thereon, and in no case without the concurrence of at least three of such Members. When
the required number is not obtained, the case shall be decided en banc: Provided, that no doctrine
or principle of law laid down by the court in a decision rendered en banc or in division may be
modified or reversed except by the court sitting en banc.

Section 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and
consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas
corpus.

(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules of
Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in:

(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or executive
agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in
question.

(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty imposed in
relation thereto.

(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.

(d) All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher.

(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.

(3) Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may require. Such
temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned.

(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading,
practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the integrated bar, and
legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive
procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade,
and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts
and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.

(6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law.

Section 6. The Supreme Court shall have administrative supervision over all courts and the
personnel thereof.

Section 7. (1) No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court or any lower collegiate
court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A Member of the Supreme Court must
be at least forty years of age, and must have been for fifteen years or more, a judge of a lower
court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines.

(2) The Congress shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower courts, but no person may be
appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a member of the Philippine
Bar.

(3) A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and
independence.

Section 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower courts shall be appointed
by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for
every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.

For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointments within ninety days from the
submission of the list.

b. Court of Appeals (BP 129, Sec 9, and RA 7902)

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.)

RA 7902

"Sec. 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 judgment of Regional Trial
Courts; and

"(3) Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments, decisions, resolutions, orders or
awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or
commissions, 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 of 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 further
proceedings. Trials or hearings in the Court of Appeals must be continuous and must be completed
within three (3) months, unless extended by the Chief Justice."

c. Regional Trial Courts (BP 129, Secs 13, 14, 15, 18)
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,
Paraaque, Las Pias, 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, Paraaque, Las Pias, 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 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.

d. Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (BP 129, Secs
25-3)

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;

Five branches (Branches LXVIII to LXXII) for Pasig with seats thereat;

One branch (Branch LXXIII) for Pateros with seat thereat;

One branch (Branch LXXIV) for Taguig with seat thereat;

Two branches (Branches LXXV and LXXVI) for Marikina with seats thereat;

Two branches (Branches LXXVII and LXXVIII) for Paraaque with seats thereat;

One branch (Branch LXXIX) for Las Pias with seat thereat;

One branch (Branch LXXX) for Muntinlupa with seat thereat;

Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII) for Valenzuela with seats thereat;

Section 28. Other Metropolitan Trial Courts. The Supreme Court shall constitute Metropolitan
Trial Courts in such other metropolitan areas as 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;

Three branches for Dagupan City;

Five branches for Olongapo City;

Three branches for Cabanatuan City;

Two branches for San Jose City;

Three branches for Angeles City;

Two branches for Cavite City;

Two branches for Batangas City;

Two branches for Lucena City;

Three branches for Naga City;

Two branches for Iriga City;

Three branches for Legaspi City;

Two branches for Roxas City;

Four branches for Iloilo City;

Seven branches for Bacolod City;

Two branches for Dumaguete City;

Two branches for Tacloban City;

Eight branches for Cebu City;

Three branches for Mandaue City;

Two branches for Tagbilaran City;

Two branches for Surigao City;

Two branches for Butuan City;

Five branches for Cagayan de Oro City;

Seven branches for Davao City;

Three branches for General Santos City;

Two branches for Oroquieta City;

Three branches for Ozamis City;

Two branches for Dipolog City;

Four branches for Zamboanga City;

Two branches for Pagadian City; and

Two branches for Iligan City.

Section 30. Municipal Trial Courts. In each of the municipalities that are not comprised within a metropolitan area and a
municipal circuit there shall be a Municipal Trial Court which shall have one branch, except as hereunder provided:

Two branches for San Fernando, La Union;

 Four branches for Tuguegarao;

Three branches for Lallo, and two branches for Aparri, both of Cagayan;

Two branches for Santiago, Isabela;

Two branches each for Malolos, Meycauayan and Bulacan, all of Bulacan Province;

Four branches for San Fernando and two branches for Guagua, both of Pampanga;

Two branches for Tarlac, Tarlac;

Two branches for San Pedro, Laguna; and

Two branches each for Antipolo and Binangonan, both in Rizal.

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 comprising municipal circuits as organized under Administrative
Order No. 33, issued on June 13, 1978 by the Supreme Court pursuant to Presidential Decree No.
537, are hereby constituted as municipal circuits for purposes of the establishment of the Municipal
Circuit Trial Courts, and the appointment thereto of Municipal Circuit Trial Judges: Provided,
however, That the Supreme Court may, as the interests of justice may require, further reorganize
the said courts taking into account workload, geographical location, and such other factors as will
contribute to a rational allocation thereof, pursuant to the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 537
which shall be applicable insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act.

Every Municipal Circuit Trial Judge shall be appointed to a municipal 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.

e. Special Courts - Sandiganbayan (Constitution, Art. XI, Sec. 4

and RA 8249)
Section 4. The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue to function and
exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by law.

RA 8449: 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.

"A petition for reconsideration of any final order or decision may be filed within fifteen (15) days
from promulgation or notice of the final order on judgment, and such motion for reconsideration
shall be decided within thirty (30) days from submission thereon.
"Decisions and final orders ofthe Sandiganbyan shall be appealable to the Supreme Court by
petition for review on certiorari raising pure questions of law in accordance with Rule 45 of the
Rules of Court. Whenever, in any case decided by the 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."

f. Court of Tax Appeals (RA 1125, as amended by RA 9282)

"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."

"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.

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.

g. Family Courts (RA 8369)

Section 5. Jurisdiction of Family Courts. - The Family Courts shall have exclusive original
jurisdiction to hear and decide the following cases:

a) Criminal cases where one or more of the accused is below eighteen (18) years of age but not
less than nine (9) years of age but not less than nine (9) years of age or where one or more of the
victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense: Provided, That if the minor is found
guilty, the court shall promulgate sentence and ascertain any civil liability which the accused may
have incurred.

The sentence, however, shall be suspended without need of application pursuant to Ptesidential
Decree No. 603, otherwise known as the "Child and Youth Welfare Code";

b) Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to the latter;

c) Petitions for adoption of children and the revocation thereof;

d) Complaints for annulment of marriage, declaration of nullity of marriage and those relating to
marital status and property relations of husband and wife or those living together under different
status and agreements, and petitions for dissolution of conjugal partnership of gains;

e) Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;

f) Summary judicial proceedings brought under the provisions of Executive Order No. 209,
otherwise known as the "Family Code of the Philippines";

g) Petitions for declaration of status of children as abandoned, dependent o neglected children,

petitions for voluntary or involuntary commitment of children; the suspension, termination, or
restoration of parental authority and other cases cognizable under Presidential Decree No. 603,
Executive Order No. 56, (Series of 1986), and other related laws;

h) Petitions for the constitution of the family home;

i) Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
j) Violations of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as the "Special Protection of Children
Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act," as amended by Republic Act No. 7658;
and

k) Cases of domestic violence against:

1) Women - which are acts of gender based violence that results, or are likely to result in physical,
sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women; and other forms of physical abuse such as
battering or threats and coercion which violate a woman's personhood, integrity and freedom
movement; and

2) Children - which include the commission of all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation,
violence, and discrimination and all other conditions prejudicial to their development.

If an act constitutes a criminal offense, the accused or batterer shall be subject to criminal
proceedings and the corresponding penalties.

If any question involving any of the above matters should arise as an incident in any case pending
in the regular courts, said incident shall be determined in that court.

i. Securities & Exchange Commission - RA 8799

Section 5. Powers and Functions of the Commission. 5.1. The commission shall act with
transparency and shall have the powers and functions provided by this code, Presidential Decree
No. 902-A, the Corporation Code, the Investment Houses law, the Financing Company Act and
other existing laws. Pursuant thereto the Commission shall have, among others, the following
powers and functions:

(a) Have jurisdiction and supervision over all corporations, partnership or associations who are the
grantees of primary franchises and/or a license or a permit issued by the Government;

(b) Formulate policies and recommendations on issues concerning the securities market, advise
Congress and other government agencies on all aspect of the securities market and propose
legislation and amendments thereto;

(c) Approve, reject, suspend, revoke or require amendments to registration statements, and
registration and licensing applications;

(d) Regulate, investigate or supervise the activities of persons to ensure compliance;

(e) Supervise, monitor, suspend or take over the activities of exchanges, clearing agencies and
other SROs;

(f) Impose sanctions for the violation of laws and rules, regulations and orders, and issued
pursuant thereto;

(g) Prepare, approve, amend or repeal rules, regulations and orders, and issue opinions and
provide guidance on and supervise compliance with such rules, regulation and orders;

(h) Enlist the aid and support of and/or deputized any and all enforcement agencies of the
Government, civil or military as well as any private institution, corporation, firm, association or
person in the implementation of its powers and function under its Code;

(i) Issue cease and desist orders to prevent fraud or injury to the investing public;
(j) Punish for the contempt of the Commission, both direct and indirect, in accordance with the
pertinent provisions of and penalties prescribed by the Rules of Court;

(k) Compel the officers of any registered corporation or association to call meetings of stockholders
or members thereof under its supervision;

(l) Issue subpoena duces tecum and summon witnesses to appear in any proceedings of the
Commission and in appropriate cases, order the examination, search and seizure of all documents,
papers, files and records, tax returns and books of accounts of any entity or person under
investigation as may be necessary for the proper disposition of the cases before it, subject to the
provisions of existing laws;

(m) Suspend, or revoke, after proper notice and hearing the franchise or certificate of registration
of corporations, partnership or associations, upon any of the grounds provided by law; and

(n) Exercise such other powers as may be provided by law as well as those which may be implied
from, or which are necessary or incidental to the carrying out of, the express powers granted the
Commission to achieve the objectives and purposes of these laws.

5.2. The Commissions jurisdiction over all cases enumerated under section 5 of Presidential
Decree No. 902-A is hereby transferred to the Courts of general jurisdiction or the appropriate
Regional Trial Court: Provided, That the Supreme Court in the exercise of its authority may
designate the Regional Trial Court branches that shall exercise jurisdiction over the cases. The
Commission shall retain jurisdiction over pending cases involving intra-corporate disputes
submitted for final resolution which should be resolved within one (1) year from the enactment of
this Code. The Commission shall retain jurisdiction over pending suspension of
payment/rehabilitation cases filed as of 30 June 2000 until finally disposed.

2. COURTS OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION vs COURTS OF APPELLATE JURISDICTION

3. COURTS OF GENERAL JURISDICTION vs COURTS OF SPECIAL OR LIMITED

JURISDICTION

4. SUPERIOR COURTS vs LOWER OR INFERIOR COURTS

5. COURTS OF RECORD vs COURTS NOT OF RECORD

6. CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS vs STATUTORY COURTS