Rule 135 SEC. 5.

Inherent powers of
courts. Every court shall have power:
(a) To preserve and enforce order
In its immediate presence;
(b) To enforce order
In proceedings before a person or
Persons empowered to conduct a
judicial investigation under its
authority;
(c) To compel obedience
To its judgments,
Orders and
Processes,
And to the lawful order of judge out of
court, in a case pending therein;
(d) To control, in furtherance of justice,
The conduct of its ministerial officers,
And of all other persons in any manner
connected with a case before it, in every
manner appertaining thereto;
(e) To compel the attendance
Of persons to testify in a case pending
therein;
(f) To administer or cause to be
administered oaths
In a case pending therein,
And in all other cases where it may be
necessary in the exercise of its powers;
(g) To amend and control its process and
orders
So as to make them comformable to
law and justice;
(h) To authorize copy of a lost or
destroyed pleading or other paper to be
filed and used instead of the original, and
to restore, and supply deficiencies in its
records and proceedings.

Rule 135 SEC. 6. Means to carry

jurisdiction into effect.
When by law,
Jurisdiction is conferred
On a court or
Judicial officer,
All auxiliary writs,
Processes and
Other means necessary to carry it
into effect
May be employed by such court
or officer;
And if the procedure to be followed in the
exercise of such jurisdiction is not
specifically pointed out
By law or
By these rules,
Any suitable process or mode of
proceeding may be adopted
Which appears conformable to the
spirit of said law or rules.
BP 129 Sec. 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.
Interim or Transitional Rules BP 129 Sec
2. Territorial jurisdiction of courts.
(a) Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
Shall exercise their jurisdiction
In the city,
Municipality or
Circuit
For which the judge thereof
Is appointed or
Designated.
(b) A regional trial court
Shall exercise its jurisdiction
Within the area defined by the
Supreme Court
As the territory over which the
particular branch concerned shall
exercise
its
authority,
in
accordance with Section 18 of B.P.
Blg. 129.
Interim or Transitional Rules BP 129 sec
3. Writs and processes.
(a) Writs of certiorari,
Prohibition,

Mandamus,
Quo warranto,
Habeas corpus and
Injunction
Issued by a regional trial court
May be enforced
In any part of the region.

(b) All other processes,

Whether issued by a regional trial court
or
A metropolitan trial court,
Municipal trial court or
Municipal circuit trial court
May be served anywhere in the
Philippines,
And,
In the last three cases,
Without a certification by the judge of
the regional trial courts.
Article VIII SECTION 5.
The Supreme Court shall have
following powers:
(1) Exercise original jurisdiction
Over cases affecting ambassadors,
Other public ministers and
Consuls, and

the

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.
Article IX-A SECTION 7.
Unless
Otherwise provided by this Constitution
or
By law,
Any decision,

Order, or
Ruling of each Commission
May be brought to the Supreme
Court on certiorari by the aggrieved
party
Within thirty days from receipt of
a copy thereof.
BP 129 Sec. 9. Jurisdiction.
The Court of Appeals shall Exercise:
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction
Over all final judgments,
Resolutions,
Orders or
Awards of xxx the Civil Service
Commission

Article VII SECTION 18.

The Supreme Court may review,
In an appropriate proceeding filed by
any citizen,
The sufficiency of the factual basis of
the proclamation of martial law or
The suspension of the privilege of the
writ or the extension thereof, and
Must
promulgate
its
decision
thereon
Within thirty days from its filing.
Article VIII SECTION 2.
The Congress
Shall have the power
To define,
Prescribe, and
Apportion the jurisdiction of various
courts
But may not deprive the Supreme
Court of its jurisdiction
Over cases enumerated in Section
5 hereof.
Article VI SECTION 30.

No law shall be passed

Increasing the appellate jurisdiction of
the Supreme Court
As provided in this Constitution
Without its advice and
Concurrence.
Article VII SECTION 4.
The Supreme Court,
Sitting en banc,
Shall be the sole judge
Of all contests
Relating to the election,
Returns, and
Qualifications of the President or
Vice-President, and
May promulgate its rules for the
purpose.

BP 129 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
judgments
Of Regional Trial Courts; and
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction
Over all final judgments,
Resolutions,
Orders or

of

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
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
Appeals must be continuous
and must be completed
within three (3) months
Unless extended by the
Chief Justice.
Interim Rules Sec 17. Petitions for writs
of certiorari, etc.
No petition for certiorari,

Mandamus,
Prohibition,
Habeas corpus or
Quo warranto may be filed in the
Intermediate Appellate Court
If another similar position has been
filed or
Is still pending in the Supreme Court.
Nor may such petition be filed in the
Supreme Court
If a similar petition has been filed or
Is still pending in the Intermediate
Appellate Court,
Unless
It be to review the action taken by the
Intermediate Appellate Court
On the petition filed with it.
A violation of this rule
Shall constitute contempt of court and
Shall be a cause for the summary
dismissal of both petitions,
Without prejudice to the taking of
appropriate action
Against the counsel or
Party concerned.

BP
129
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 Three hundred
thousand pesos (P300,000.00) or,
In Metro Manila
Where such personal property,
Estate, or
Amount of the demand does not
exceed Four hundred thousand
pesos (P400,000.00)
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 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.
BP 129 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.
BP 129 Sec. 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.
BP 129 Sec. 13. Creation of Regional Trial
Courts. There are hereby created
Thirteen (13) Regional Trial Courts,
One for each of the following judicial
regions:
BP 129 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 (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 the demand
or claim exceeds Three hundred
thousand pesos (P300,000.00) or, in
Metro Manila, where such demand or
claim exceeds Four hundred thousand
pesos (400,000.00);
Where the demand or claim
Exceeds Three hundred thousand pesos
(P300,000.00) or,
In Metro Manila, where such demand or
claim exceeds Four hundred thousand
pesos (400,000.00);
(4) In all matters of probate,
Both testate and
Intestate,
Where the gross value of the estate
Exceeds Three hundred thousand
pesos (P300,000.00) or,
In probate matters in Metro Manila,
where such gross value
Exceeds Four hundred thousand
pesos (400,000.00);
(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,
Attorneys fees,
Litigation expenses, and
Costs
Or the value of the property in
controversy
Exceeds Three hundred thousand
pesos (300,000.00) or,
In such other cases in Metro Manila,
where the demand
Exclusive of the abovementioned
items
Exceeds Four Hundred thousand
pesos (P400,000.00)."

RA 8369 Section 5. Jurisdiction of family

Courts. The Family Courts
Shall
have
exclusive
original
jurisdiction
To hear and decide the following
cases:
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;
g) Petitions
For declaration of status of children
as abandoned,
dependent or
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;
BP 129 Sec. 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.
BP 129 Sec. 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.