Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila Ninth Congress

"-3. /n all actions in'ol'ing the contract of marriage an marital relations1 "-8. /n all cases not within the e+clusi'e ,uris iction of an! court, tribunal, 0erson or bo ! e+ercising ,uris iction of an! court, tribunal, 0erson or bo ! e+ercising ,u icial or 9uasi: ,u icial functions1 "-;. /n all ci'il actions an s0ecial 0rocee ings falling within the e+clusi'e original ,uris iction of a Ju'enile an <omestic "elations *ourt an of the *ourt of $grarian "elations as now 0ro'i e b! law1 an "-%. /n all other cases in which the eman , e+clusi'e of interest, amages of whate'er kin , attorne!=s fees, litigation e+0enses, an costs or the 'alue of the 0ro0ert! in contro'ers! e+cee s 5ne hun re thousan 0esos -P1&&,&&&.&&. or, in such other cases in Metro Manila, where the eman e+clusi'e of the abo'ementione items e+cee s )wo 7un re thousan 0esos -P2&&,&&&.&&.." *ection 2. Section 42 of the same law is hereb! amen e to rea as follows:

Republic Act No. 7691

March 25, 199

AN AC! "#PAN$%N& !'" ()R%*$%C!%+N +, !'" M"!R+P+-%!AN !R%A- C+)R!*, M)N%C%PA- !R%A- C+)R!*, AN$ M)N%C%PA- C%RC)%! !R%A- C+)R!*, AM"N$%N& ,+R !'" P)RP+*" .A!A* PAM.AN*A, .-&. 129, +!'"R/%*" 0N+/N A* !'" 1()$%C%AR2 R"+R&AN%3A!%+N AC! +, 19451 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:: *ection 1. Section 19 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as the "Ju iciar! "eorgani#ation $ct of 19%&", is hereb! amen e to rea as follows: "Sec. 19. Juris iction in ci'il cases. ( "egional )rial *ourts shall e+ercise e+clusi'e original ,uris iction. "-1. /n all ci'il actions in which the sub,ect of the litigation is inca0able of 0ecuniar! estimation1 "-2. /n all ci'il actions which in'ol'e the title to, or 0ossession of, real 0ro0ert!, or an! interest therein, where the assesse 'alue of the 0ro0ert! in'ol'e e+cee s )went! thousan 0esos -P2&,&&&,&&. or, for ci'il actions in Metro Manila, where such 'alue e+cee s 2ift! thousan 0esos -P3&,&&&.&&. e+ce0t actions for forcible entr! into an unlawful etainer of lan s or buil ings, original ,uris iction o'er which is conferre u0on the Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts, an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts1 "-4. /n all actions in a miralt! an maritime ,uris iction where the eman or claim e+cee s 5ne hun re thousan 0esos -P1&&,&&&.&&. or, in Metro Manila, where such eman or claim e+cee s )wo hun re thousan 0esos -P2&&,&&&.&&.1 "-6. /n all matters of 0robate, both testate an intestate, where the gross 'alue of the estate e+cee s 5ne hun re thousan 0esos -P1&&,&&&.&&. or, in 0robate matters in Metro Manila, where such gross 'alue e+cee s )wo 7un re thousan 0esos -P2&&,&&&.&&.1

"Sec. 42. Juris iction of Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts in *riminal *ases. ( >+ce0t in cases falling within the e+clusi'e original ,uris iction of "egional )rial *ourts an of the San iganba!an, the Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts, an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts shall e+ercise: "-1. >+clusi'e original ,uris iction o'er all 'iolations of cit! or munici0al or inances committe within their res0ecti'e territorial ,uris iction1 an "-2. >+clusi'e original ,uris iction o'er all offenses 0unishable with im0risonment not e+cee ing si+ -8. !ears irres0ecti'e of the amount of fine, an regar less of other im0osable accessor! or other 0enalties, inclu ing the ci'il liabilit! arising from such offenses or 0re icate thereon, irres0ecti'e of kin , nature, 'alue or amount thereof: Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat in offenses in'ol'ing amage to 0ro0ert! through criminal negligence, the! shall ha'e e+clusi'e original ,uris iction thereof." *ection 6. Section 44 of the same law is hereb! amen e to rea as follows:

"Sec. 44. Juris iction of Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts in *i'il *ases. ( Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts, an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts shall e+ercise: "-1. >+clusi'e original ,uris iction o'er ci'il actions an 0robate 0rocee ings, testate an intestate, inclu ing the grant of 0ro'isional reme ies in 0ro0er cases, where the 'alue of the 0ersonal 0ro0ert!, estate, or amount of the eman oes not e+cee 5ne hun re thousan 0esos -P1&&,&&&.&&. or, in Metro Manila where such 0ersonal 0ro0ert!, estate, or amount of the eman oes not e+cee )wo hun re thousan 0esos -P2&&,&&&.&&., e+clusi'e of interest, amages of whate'er kin , attorne!=s fees, litigation e+0enses, an costs, the amount of which must be s0ecificall! allege : Pro'i e , )hat interest, amages of whate'er kin , attorne!=s fees, litigation e+0enses, an costs shall be inclu e in the etermination of the filing fees: Pro'i e , further, )hat where there are se'eral claims or causes of actions between the same or ifferent 0arties, embo ie in the same com0laint, the amount of the eman shall be the totalit! of the claims in all the causes of action, irres0ecti'e of whether the causes of action arose out of the same or ifferent transactions1 "-2. >+clusi'e original ,uris iction o'er cases of forcible entr! an unlawful etainer: Pro'i e , )hat when, in such cases, the efen ant raises the 9uestions of ownershi0 in his 0lea ings an the 9uestion of 0ossession cannot be resol'e without eci ing the issue of ownershi0, the issue of ownershi0 shall be resol'e onl! to etermine the issue of 0ossession1 an "-4. >+clusi'e original ,uris iction in all ci'il actions which in'ol'e title to, or 0ossession of, real 0ro0ert!, or an! interest therein where the assesse 'alue of the 0ro0ert! or interest therein oes not e+cee )went! thousan 0esos -P2&,&&&.&&. or, in ci'il actions in Metro Manila, where such assesse 'alue oes not e+cee 2ift! thousan 0esos -P3&,&&&.&&. e+clusi'e of interest, amages of whate'er kin , attorne!=s fees, litigation e+0enses an costs: Pro'i e , )hat in cases of lan not eclare for ta+ation 0ur0oses, the 'alue of such 0ro0ert! shall be etermine b! the assesse 'alue of the a ,acent lots." *ection . Section 46 of the same law is hereb! amen e to rea as follows:

"Sec. 46. <elegate Juris iction in *a astral an ?an "egistration *ases. ( Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts, an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts ma! be assigne b! the Su0reme *ourt to hear an etermine ca astral or lan registration cases co'ering lots where there is no contro'ers! or o00osition, or conteste lots where the 'alue of which oes not e+cee 5ne hun re thousan 0esos -P1&&,&&&.&&., such 'alue to be ascertaine b! the affi a'it of the claimant or b! agreement of the res0ecti'e claimants if there are more than one, or from the corres0on ing ta+ eclaration of the real 0ro0ert!. )heir ecisions in these cases shall be a00ealable in the same manner as ecisions of the "egional )rial *ourts." *ection 5. $fter fi'e -3. !ears from the effecti'it! of this $ct, the ,uris ictional amounts mentione in Sec. 19-4., -6., an -%.1 an Sec. 44-1. of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 as amen e b! this $ct, shall be a ,uste to )wo hun re thousan 0esos -P2&&,&&&.&&.. 2i'e -3. !ears thereafter, such ,uris ictional amounts shall be a ,uste further to )hree hun re thousan 0esos -P4&&,&&&.&&.: Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat in the case of Metro Manila, the abo'ementione ,uris ictional amounts shall be a ,uste after fi'e -3. !ears from the effecti'it! of this $ct to 2our hun re thousan 0esos -P6&&,&&&.&&.. *ection 6. $ll laws, ecrees, an or ers inconsistent with the 0ro'isions of this $ct shall be consi ere amen e or mo ifie accor ingl!. *ection 7. )he 0ro'isions of this $ct shall a00l! to all ci'il cases that ha'e not !et reache the 0re:trial stage. 7owe'er, b! agreement of all the 0arties, ci'il cases cogni#able b! munici0al an metro0olitan courts b! the 0ro'isions of this $ct ma! be transferre from the "egional )rial *ourts to the latter. )he e+ecuti'e ,u ge of the a00ro0riate "egional )rial *ourts shall efine the a ministrati'e 0roce ure of transferring the cases affecte b! the re efinition of ,uris iction to the Metro0olitan )rial *ourts, Munici0al )rial *ourts, an Munici0al *ircuit )rial *ourts. *ection 4. )his $ct shall take effect fifteen -13. a!s following its 0ublication in the 5fficial @a#ette or in two -2. national news0a0ers of general circulation. $00ro'e : March 25, 199 .

Phili00ines re9uiring a mission in is0ensable re9uisite.

to

the

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Republic Act No. 4669 +ctober 24, 1997 AN AC! "*!A.-%*'%N& ,AM%-2 C+)R!*, &RAN!%N& !'"M "#C-)*%7" +R%&%NA- ()R%*$%C!%+N +7"R C'%-$ AN$ ,AM%-2 CA*"*, AM"N$%N& .A!A* PAM.AN*A .%-AN& 129,A* AM"N$"$, +!'"R/%*" 0N+/N A* AC! +, 1945, APPR+PR%A!%N& ,)N$* !'"R",+R AN$ ,+R +!'"R P)RP+*"* Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:: *ection 1. Title. : )his $ct shall be known as the "Family Courts Act of 1997". *ection 2. Statement of National Policies. : )he State shall 0rotect the rights an 0romote the welfare of chil ren in kee0ing with the man ate of the *onstitution an the 0rece0ts of the Anite Bations *on'ention on the rights of the *hil . )he State shall 0ro'i e a s!stem of a ,u ication for !outhful offen ers which takes into account their 0eculiar circumstances. )he State recogni#es the sanctit! of famil! life an shall 0rotect an strengthen the famil! as a basic autonomous social institution. )he courts shall 0reser'e the soli arit! of the famil!, 0ro'i e 0roce ures for the reconciliation of s0ouses an the amicable settlement of famil! contro'ers!. *ection 6. Establishment of Family Courts . : )here shall be establishe a 2amil! *ourt in e'er! 0ro'ince an cit! in the countr!. /n case where the cit! is the ca0ital of the 0ro'ince, the 2amil! *ourt shall be establishe in the munici0alit! which has the highest 0o0ulation. *ection . Qualification an Trainin! of Family Court "u !es . : Sec. 13 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amen e , is hereb! further amen e to rea as follows: "Sec. 13. -a. Qualification. : Bo 0erson shall be a00ointe "egional )rial Ju ge or Presi ing Ju ge of the 2amil! *ourt unless he is a natural:born citi#en of the Phili00ines, at least thirt!:fi'e -43. !ears of age, an , for at least ten -1&. !ears, has been engage in the 0ractice of law in the Phili00ines or has hel a 0ublic office in the

"-b. Training of Family Court udges. : )he Presi ing Ju ge, as well as the court 0ersonnel of the 2amil! *ourts, shall un ergo training an must ha'e the e+0erience an emonstrate abilit! in ealing with chil an famil! cases. ")he Su0reme *ourt shall 0ro'i e a continuing e ucation 0rogram on chil an famil! laws, 0roce ure an other relate isci0lines to ,u ges an 0ersonnel of such courts." *ection 5. "uris iction offamily Courts. : )he 2amil! *ourts shall ha'e e+clusi'e original ,uris iction to hear an eci e the following cases: a. *riminal cases where one or more of the accuse is below eighteen -1%. !ears of age but not less than nine -9. !ears of age but not less than nine -9. !ears of age or where one or more of the 'ictims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense: Pro'i e , )hat if the minor is foun guilt!, the court shall 0romulgate sentence an ascertain an! ci'il liabilit! which the accuse ma! ha'e incurre . )he sentence, howe'er, shall be sus0en e without nee of a00lication 0ursuant to Ptesi ential <ecree Bo. 8&4, otherwise known as the "*hil an Couth Delfare *o e"1 b. Petitions for guar ianshi0, custo ! of chil ren, habeas cor0us in relation to the latter1 c. Petitions for a o0tion of chil ren an the re'ocation thereof1 . *om0laints for annulment of marriage, eclaration of nullit! of marriage an those relating to marital status an 0ro0ert! relations of husban an wife or those li'ing together un er ifferent status an agreements, an 0etitions for issolution of con,ugal 0artnershi0 of gains1 e. Petitions for su00ort an Eor acknowle gment1 f. Summar! ,u icial 0rocee ings brought un er the 0ro'isions of >+ecuti'e 5r er Bo. 2&9, otherwise known as the !Family Code of the Philippines!1

g. Petitions for eclaration of status of chil ren as aban one , e0en ent o neglecte chil ren, 0etitions for 'oluntar! or in'oluntar! commitment of chil ren1 the sus0ension, termination, or restoration of 0arental authorit! an other cases cogni#able un er Presi ential <ecree Bo. 8&4, >+ecuti'e 5r er Bo. 38, -Series of 19%8., an other relate laws1 h. Petitions for the constitution of the famil! home1 i. *ases against minors cogni#able un er the <angerous <rugs $ct, as amen e 1 ,. Fiolations of "e0ublic $ct Bo. ;81&, otherwise known as the !Special Protection of Children "gainst Child "buse# $%ploitation and &iscrimination "ct#! as amen e b! "e0ublic $ct Bo. ;83%1 an k. *ases of omestic 'iolence against: 1. Domen : which are acts of gen er base 'iolence that results, or are likel! to result in 0h!sical, se+ual or 0s!chological harm or suffering to women1 an other forms of 0h!sical abuse such as battering or threats an coercion which 'iolate a woman=s 0ersonhoo , integrit! an free om mo'ement1 an 2. *hil ren : which inclu e the commission of all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelt!, e+0loitation, 'iolence, an iscrimination an all other con itions 0re,u icial to their e'elo0ment. /f an act constitutes a criminal offense, the accuse or batterer shall be sub,ect to criminal 0rocee ings an the corres0on ing 0enalties. /f an! 9uestion in'ol'ing an! of the abo'e matters shoul arise as an inci ent in an! case 0en ing in the regular courts, sai inci ent shall be etermine in that court. *ection 6. #se of $ncome. : $ll 2amil! *ourts shall be allowe the use of ten 0er cent -1&G. of their income eri'e from filing an other court fees un er "ule 161 of the "ules of *ourt for research an other o0erating e+0enses inclu ing ca0ital outla!: Pro'i e , )hat this benefit shall likewise be en,o!e b! all courts of ,ustice.

)he Su0reme *ourt shall 0romulgate the necessar! gui elines to effecti'el! im0lement the 0ro'isions of this Sec. *ection 7. S%ecial Pro&isional 'eme ies . : /n cases of 'iolence among imme iate famil! members li'ing in the same omicile or househol , the 2amil! *ourt ma! issue a restraining or er against the accuse of efen ant u0on 'erifie a00lication b! the com0lainant or the 'ictim for relief from abuse. )he court ma! or er the tem0orar! custo ! of chil ren in all ci'il actions for their custo !. )he court ma! also or er su00ort 0en ente lite, inclu ing e uction from the salar! an use of con,ugal home an other 0ro0erties in all ci'il actions for su00ort. *ection 4. Su%er&ision of (outh )etention *omes. : )he ,u ge of the 2amil! *ourt shall ha'e irect control an su0er'ision of the !outh etention home which the local go'ernment unit shall establish to se0arate the !outh offen ers from a ult criminals: Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat alternati'es to etention an institutional care shall be ma e a'ailable to the accuse inclu ing counseling, recogni#ance, bail, communit! continuum, or i'ersions from the ,ustice s!stem: Pro'i e , further, )hat the human rights of the accuse are full! res0ecte in a manner a00ro0riate to their well:being. *ection 9. Social Ser&ices an Counselin! )i&ision . : An er the gui ance ofthe <e0artment of Social Delfare an <e'elo0ment -<SD<., a Social Ser'ices an *ounseling <i'ision -SS*<. shall be establishe in each ,u icial region as the Su0reme *ourt shall eem necessar! base on the number of ,u'enile an famil! cases e+isting in such ,uris iction. /t shall 0ro'i e a00ro0riate social ser'ices to all ,u'enile an famil! cases file with the court an recommen the 0ro0er social action. /t shall also e'elo0 0rograms, formulate uniform 0olicies an 0roce ures, an 0ro'i e technical su0er'ision an monitoring of all SS*< in coor ination with the ,u ge. *ection 15. Social Ser&ices an Counselin! )i&ision Staff . : )he SS*< shall ha'e a staff com0ose of 9ualifie social workers an other 0ersonnel with aca emic 0re0aration in beha'ioral sciences to carr! out the uties=of con ucting intake assessment, social case stu ies, casework an counseling, an othersocial ser'ices that ma! be nee e in connection with cases file with the court: Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat in a o0tion cases an in 0etitions for eclaration of aban onment, the case stu ies ma! be 0re0are b! social workers of ul! license chil caring or chil 0lacement agencies, or the <SD<. Dhen warrante , the i'ision shall recommen that the court a'ail itself of consultati'e ser'ices of 0s!chiatrists, 0s!chologists, an other 9ualifie s0ecialists 0resentl! em0lo!e in other e0artments of the go'ernment in connection with its cases.

)he 0osition of Social Dork $ 'iser shall be create un er the 5ffice of the *ourt $ ministrator, who shall monitor an su0er'ise the SS*< ofthe "egional )rial *ourt. *ection 11. Alternati&e Social Ser&ices. : /n accor ance with Sec. 1; of this $ct, in areas where no 2amil! *ourt has been establishe or no "egional )rial *ourt was esignate b! the Su0reme *ourt ue to the limite number of cases, the <SD< shall esignate an assign 9ualifie , traine , an <SD< accre ite social workers of the local go'ernment units to han le ,u'enile an famil! cases file in the esignate "egional )rial *ourt of the 0lace. *ection 12. Pri&acy an Confi entiality of Procee in!s . : $ll hearings an conciliation of the chil an famil! cases shall be treate in a manner consistent with the 0romotion of the chil =s an the famil!=s ignit! an worth, an shall res0ect their 0ri'ac! at all stages of the 0rocee ings. "ecor s of the cases shall be ealt with utmost confi entialit! an the i entit! of 0arties shall not be i'ulge unless necessar! an with authorit! of the ,u ge. *ection 16. S%ecial 'ules of Proce ure. : )he Su0reme *ourt shall 0romulgate s0ecial rules of 0roce ure for the transfer of cases to the new courts uring the transition 0erio an for the is0osition of famil! cases with the best interests of the chil an the 0rotection of the famil! as 0rimar! consi eration taking into account the Anite Bations *on'ention on the "ights of the *hil . *ection 1 . A%%eals. : <ecisions an or ers of the court shall be a00eale in the same manner an sub,ect to the same con itions as a00eals from the or inar! "egional )rial *ourts. *ection 15. A%%ro%riations. : )he amount necessar! to carr! out the 0ro'isions of this $ct shall be inclu e in the @eneral $00ro0riations $ct of the !ear following in its enactment into law an thereafter. *ection 16. $m%lementin! 'ules an 'e!ulations. : )he Su0reme *ourt, in coor ination with the <SD<, shall formulate the necessar! rules an regulations for the effecti'e im0lementation of the social as0ects of this $ct. *ection 17. Transitory Pro&isions. : Pen ing the establishment of such 2amil! *ourts, the Su0reme *ourt shall esignate from among the branches ofthe "egional )rial *ourt at least one 2amil! *ourt in each of the cities of Manila, Hue#on, Pasa!, *aloocan, Makati, Pasig, Man alu!ong, Muntinlu0a, ?aoag, Baguio, Santiago, <agu0an, 5longa0o, *abanatuan, San Jose, $ngeles, *a'ite, Batangas, ?ucena, Baga, /riga, ?ega#0i, "o+as, /loilo, Bacolo , <umaguete, )acloban, *ebu, Man aue, )agbilaran, Surigao,

Butuan, *aga!an e 5ro, <a'ao, @eneral Santos, 5ro9uieta, 5#amis, <i0olog, Iamboanga, Paga ian, /ligan, an in such other 0laces as the Su0reme *ourt ma! eem necessar!. $ itional cases other than those 0ro'i e in Sec. 3 ma! be assigne to the 2amil! *ourts when their ockets 0ermit: Pro'i e , )hat such a itional cases shall not be hear on the same a! famil! cases are hear . /n areas where there are no 2amil! *ourts, the cases referre to in Sec. 3 of this $ct shall be a ,u icate b! the "egional )rial *ourt. *ection 14. Se%arability Clause. : /n case an! 0ro'ision of this $ct is eclare unconstitutional, the other 0ro'isions shall remain in effect. *ection 19. 'e%ealin! Clause. : $ll other laws, ecrees, e+ecuti'e or ers, rules or regulations inconsistent herewith are hereb! re0eale , amen e or mo ifie accor ingl!. *ection 25. Effecti&ity. : )his $ct shall take effect fifteen -13. a!s after its 0ublication in at least two -2. national news0a0ers of general circulation. $00ro'e +ctober 24, 1997.

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila !enth Congres

courts or other go'ernment offices where an! of the i'isions is hol ing sessions an the 0ersonnel of such courts or offices shall be sub,ect to the or ers of the San iganba!an." *ection 6. )he secon 0aragra0h of Section 4 of the same ecree is hereb! elete . *ection . Section 6 of the same ecree is hereb! further amen e to rea as follows: "a. Fiolations of "e0ublic $ct Bo. 4&19, as amen e , otherwise known as the $nti:graft an *orru0t Practices $ct, "e0ublic $ct Bo. 14;9, an *ha0ter //, Section 2, )itle F//, Book // of the "e'ise Penal *o e, where one or more of the accuse are officials occu0!ing the following 0ositions in the go'ernment whether in a 0ermanent, acting or interim ca0acit!, at the time of the commission of the offense: "-1. 5fficials of the e+ecuti'e branch occu0!ing the 0ositions of regional irector an higher, otherwise classifie as @ra e =2;= an higher, of the *om0ensation an Position *lassification $ct of 19%9 -"e0ublic $ct Bo. 8;3%., s0ecificall! inclu ing: "-a. Pro'incial go'ernors, 'ice:go'ernors, members of the sangguniang 0anlalawigan an 0ro'incial treasurers, assessors, engineers an other 0ro'incial e0artment hea s1 "-b. *it! ma!ors, 'ice:ma!ors, members of the sangguniang 0anlungso , cit! treasurers, assessors engineers an other cit! e0artment hea s1 "-c. 5fficials of the i0lomatic ser'ice occu0!ing the 0osition of consul an higher1 "- . Phili00ine arm! an air force colonels, na'al ca0tains, an all officers of higher rank1 "-e. 5fficers of the Phili00ine Bational Police while occu0!ing the 0osition of 0ro'incial irector an those hol ing the rank of senior su0erinten ent or higher1

Begun an hel in Metro Manila, on Mon a!, the twent!:thir a! of Jul!, two thousan se'en. Republic Act No. 42 9 ,ebruar8 5, 1997 AN AC! ,)R!'"R $",%N%N& !'" ()R%*$%C!%+N +, !'" *AN$%&AN.A2AN, AM"N$%N& ,+R !'" P)RP+*" PR"*%$"N!%A$"CR"" N+. 1656, A* AM"N$"$, PR+7%$%N& ,)N$* !'"R",+R, AN$ ,+R +!'"R P)RP+*"* Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:: *ection 1. )he first 0aragra0h of Section 1 of Presi ential <ecree Bo. 18&8, as amen e , is hereb! further amen e to rea as follows: "S>*)/5B 1. San iganba!an1 *om0osition, Hualifications1 )enure1 "emo'al an *om0ensation. : $ s0ecial court, of the same le'el as the *ourt of $00eals an 0ossessing all the inherent 0owers of a court of,ustice, to be known as the San iganba!an is hereb! create com0ose of a 0resi ing ,ustice an fourteen associate ,ustices who shall be a00ointe b! the Presi ent." *ection 2. Section 2 of the same ecree is hereb! further amen e to rea as follows: "S>*)/5B 2. 5fficial Station1 Place of 7ol ing Sessions. : )he San iganba!an shall ha'e its 0rinci0al office in the Metro Manila area an shall hol sessions thereat for the trial an etermination of cases file with it: Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat cases originating from the 0rinci0al geogra0hical regions of the countr!, that is, from ?u#on, Fisa!as or Min anao, shall be hear in their res0ecti'e regions of origin e+ce0t onl! when the greater con'enience of the accuse an of the witnesses, or other com0elling consi erations re9uire the contrar!, in which instance a case originating from one geogra0hical region ma! be hear in another geogra0hical region: Pro'i e , further, )hat for this 0ur0ose the 0resi ing ,ustice shall authori#e an! i'isions of the court to hol sessions at an! time an 0lace outsi e Metro Manila an , where the interest of ,ustice so re9uires, outsi e the territorial boun aries of the Phili00ines. )he San iganba!an ma! re9uire the ser'ices of the 0ersonnel an the use of facilities of the

"-f. *it! an 0ro'incial 0rosecutors an their assistants, an officials an 0rosecutors in the 5ffice of the 5mbu sman an s0ecial 0rosecutor1 "-g. Presi ents, irectors or trustees, or managers of go'ernment:owne or :controlle cor0orations, state uni'ersities or e ucational institutions or foun ations1 "-2. Members of *ongress an officials thereof classifie as @ra e=2;=an u0 un er the *om0ensation an Position *lassification $ct of 19%91 "-4. Members of the ,u iciar! without 0re,u ice to the 0ro'isions of the *onstitution1 "-6. *hairmen an members of *onstitutional *ommissions, without 0re,u ice to the 0ro'isions of the *onstitution1 an "-3. $ll other national an local officials classifie as @ra e=2;=an higher un er the *om0ensation an Position *lassification $ct of 19%9. "b. 5ther offenses orfelonies whether sim0le or com0le+e with other crimes committe b! the 0ublic officials an em0lo!ees mentione in subsection a of this section in relation to their office. "c. *i'il an criminal cases file 0ursuant to an in connection with >+ecuti'e 5r er Bos. 1, 2, 16 an 16:$, issue in 19%8. "/n cases where none of the accuse are occu0!ing 0ositions corres0on ing to salar! gra e =2;= or higher, as 0rescribe in the sai "e0ublic $ct Bo. 8;3%, or militar! or PBP officers mentione abo'e, e+clusi'e original ,uris iction thereof shall be 'este in the 0ro0er regional trial court, metro0olitan trial court, munici0al trial court an munici0al circuit trial court = as the case ma! be, 0ursuant to their res0ecti'e ,uris iction as 0ro'i e in Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amen e . ")he San iganba!an shall e+ercise e+clusi'e a00ellate ,uris iction o'er final ,u gments, resolutions or or ers or regional trial courts whether in the e+ercise of their own original ,uris iction orof their a00ellate ,uris iction as herein 0ro'i e .

")he San iganba!an shall ha'e e+clusi'e original ,uris iction o'er 0etitions for the issuance of the writs of man amus, 0rohibition, certiorari, habeas cor0us, in,unctions, an other ancillar! writs an 0rocesses in ai of its a00ellate ,uris iction an o'er 0etitions of similar nature, inclu ing 9uo warranto, arising or that ma! arise in cases file or which ma! be file un er >+ecuti'e 5r er Bos. 1,2,16 an 16:$, issue in 19%8: Pro'i e , )hat the ,uris iction o'er these 0etitions shall not be e+clusi'e of the Su0reme *ourt. )he 0roce ure 0rescribe in Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as well as the im0lementing rules that the Su0reme *ourt has 0romulgate an ma! hereafter 0romulgate, relati'e to a00ealsE0etitions for re'iew to the *ourt of $00eals, shall a00l! to a00eals an 0etitions for re'iew file with the San iganba!an. /n all cases ele'ate to the San iganba!an an from the San iganba!an to the Su0reme *ourt, the 5ffice of the 5mbu sman, through its s0ecial 0rosecutor, shall re0resent the Peo0le of the Phili00ines, e+ce0t in cases file 0ursuant to >+ecuti'e 5r er Bos. 1, 2, 16 an 16:$, issue in 19%8. "/n case 0ri'ate in i'i uals are charge as co:0rinci0als, accom0lices or accessories with the 0ublic officers or em0lo!ees, inclu ing those em0lo!e in go'emment:owne or controlle cor0orations, the! shall be trie ,ointl! with sai 0ublic officers an em0lo!ees in the 0ro0er courts which shall e+ercise e+clusi'e ,uris iction o'er them. "$n! 0ro'isions of law or "ules of *ourt to the contrar! notwithstan ing, the criminal action an the corres0on ing ci'il action for the reco'er! of ci'il liabilit! shall at all times be simultaneousl! institute with, an ,ointl! etermine in, the same 0rocee ing b! the San iganba!an or the a00ro0riate courts, the filing of the criminal action being eeme to necessaril! carr! with it the filing of the ci'il action, an no right to reser'e the filing of such ci'il action se0aratel! from the criminal action shall be recogni#e : Pro'i e , howe'er, )hat where the ci'il action ha therefore been file se0aratel! but ,u gment therein has not !et been ren ere , an the criminal case is hereafter file with the San iganba!an or the a00ro0riate court, sai ci'il action shall be transferre to the San iganba!an or the a00ro0riate court, as the case ma! be, for consoli ation an ,oint etermination with the criminal action, otherwise the se0arate ci'il action shall be eeme aban one ." *ection 5. Section ; of the same ecree is hereb! further amen e to rea as follows:

=S>*)/5B ;. 2orm, 2inalit! an >nforcement of <ecisions. : $ll ecisions an final or ers etermining the merits of a case or finall! is0osing of the action or 0rocee ings of the San i,anba!an shall contain com0lete fin ings of the facts an the law on which the! are base , on all issues 0ro0erl! raise before it an necessar! in eci ing the case. "$ 0etition for reconsi eration of an! final or er or ecision ma! be file within fifteen -13. a!s from 0romulgation or notice of the final or er on ,u gment, an such motion for reconsi eration shall be eci e within thirt! -4&. a!s from submission thereon. "<ecisions an final or ers ofthe San iganb!an shall be a00ealable to the Su0reme *ourt b! 0etition for re'iew on certiorari raising 0ure 9uestions of law in accor ance with "ule 63 of the "ules of *ourt. Dhene'er, in an! case eci e b! the San iganba!an, the 0enalt! of reclusion 0er0etua, life im0risonment or eath is im0ose , the ecision shall be a00ealable to the Su0reme *ourt in the manner 0rescribe in the "ules of *ourt. "Ju gments an or ers of the San iganba!an shall be e+ecute an enforce in the manner 0ro'i e b! law. "<ecisions an final or ers of other courts in cases cogni#able b! sai courts un er this ecree as well as those ren ere b! them in the e+ercise of their a00ellate ,uris iction shall be a00ealable to, or be re'iewable b!, the San iganba!an in the manner 0ro'i e b! "ule 122 of the "ules of the *ourt.

*ection 4. Se%arability of Pro&isions. : /f for an! reason an! 0ro'ision of this $ct is eclare unconstitutional or in'ali , such 0arts or 0ortions not affecte thereb! shall remain in full force an effect. *ection 9. 'e%ealin! Clause. : $ll acts, ecrees, general or ers an circulars, or 0arts thereof inconsistent with the 0ro'isions of this $ct are hereb! re0eale or mo ifie accor ingl!. *ection 15. Effecti&ity. : )his $ct shall take effect fifteen -13. a!s after its com0lete 0ublication in at least two -2. news0a0ers of general circulation.

"/n case, howe'er, the im0ose 0enalt! b! the San iganba!an or the regional trial court in the 0ro0er e+ercise of their res0ecti'e ,uris ictions, is eath, re'iew b! the Su0reme *ourt shall be automatic, whether or not accuse files an a00eal." *ection 6. A%%ro%riations. : )he amount necessar! to carr! out the initial im0lementation of this $ct shall be charge against the current fiscal !ear a00ro0riations of the San iganba!an. )hereafter, such sums as ma! be nee e for its continue im0lementation shall be inclu e in the annual @eneral $00ro0riations $ct. *ection 7. Transitory Pro&ision. : )his $ct shall a00l! to all cases 0en ing in an! court o'er which trial has not begun as of the a00ro'al hereof