Jurisdiction-bp 129 and Santes vs Claraval

8/12/2019 Jurisdiction-bp 129 and Santes vs Claraval

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BATAS PAMBANSA Blg. 129

AN ACT REORGANIZING THE JUDICIARY,APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES

PRELIMINARY CHAPTER

Sec!"# 1.Title. This Act shall be known as "The JudiciaryReorganization Act of 1980"

Sec!"# 2.Scope. The reorganization herein !roidedshall include the #ourt of A!!eals$ the #ourt of %irst&nstance$ the #ircuit #ri'inal #ourts$ the Juenile and(o'estic Relations #ourts$ the #ourts of Agrarian Relations$the #ity #ourts$ the )unici!al #ourts$ and the )unici!al#ircuit #ourts

CHAPTER ICOURT OF APPEALS

Sec!"# $.Organization. There is hereby created a #ourtof A!!eals which consists of a *residing Justice and fifty

Associate Justice who shall be a!!ointed by the *resident ofthe *hili!!ines The *residing Justice shall be so designatedin his a!!oint'ent$ and the Associate Justice shall hae!recedence according to the dates of their res!ectiea!!oint'ents$ or when the a!!oint'ents of two or 'ore ofthe' shall bear the sa'e date$ according to the order inwhich their a!!oint'ents were issued by the *resident Any'e'ber who is rea!!ointed to the #ourt after renderingserice in any other !osition in the goern'ent shall retainthe !recedence to which he was entitled under his originala!!oint'ent$ and his serice in the #ourt shall$ for all intentsand !ur!oses$ be considered as continuous anduninterru!ted (as amended by Exec. Order No. 33,

,July 2,

!"#.$

Sec!"# %.Exercise o% po&ers and %unctions. The #ourtA!!eals shall e+ercise its !owers$ functions$ and duties$through seenteen ,1-. diisions$ each co'!osed of three,/. 'e'bers The #ourt 'ay sit en banconly for the!ur!ose of e+ercising ad'inistratie$ cere'onial$ or othernonadudicatory functions (as amended by Exec. Order No.33,.$

Sec!"# &.Succession to O%%ice o% 'residing Justice. &ncase of a acancy in the absence of inability to !erfor' the!owers$ functions$ and duties of his office$ the associate

Justice who is first in !recedence shall !erfor' his !owers$functions$ and duties until such disability is re'oed$ oranother *residing Justice is a!!ointed and has 2ualified

Sec!"# '.)*o presides o+er session o% a di+ision. &f the*residing Justice is !resent in any session of a diision ofthe #ourt$ he shall !reside &n his absence$ the AssociateJustice attending such session who has !recedence shall!reside

Sec!"# (.uali%ications. The *residing Justice and theAssociate Justice shall hae the sa'e 2ualifications asthose !roided in #onstitution for Justice of the 3u!re'e

#ourt

Sec!"# ).-rouping o% i+isions. (Expressly repealedbySection /, Exec. Order No. 33,July 2, !"#.$

Sec!"# 9.Jurisdiction. The #ourt of A!!eals shall4+ercise5

1 6riginal urisdiction to issue writsof mandamus,!rohibition$ certiorari, *abeascorpus,and 0uo &arranto,and au+iliary writs or!rocesses$ whether or not in aid of its a!!ellate

urisdiction7

4+clusie original urisdiction oer actions forannul'ent of udge'ents of Regional Trial #ourts7and

/ 4+clusie a!!ellate urisdiction oer all finaludge'ents$ resolutions$ orders or awards ofRegional Trial #ourts and 2uasiudicial agencies$instru'entalities$ boards or co''ission$ includingthe 3ecurities and 4+change #o''ission$ the3ocial 3ecurity #o''ission$ the 4'!loyees#o'!ensation #o''ission and the #iil 3erice

#o''ission$ 4+ce!t those falling within thea!!ellate urisdiction of the 3u!re'e #ourt inaccordance with the #onstitution$ the abor #ode ofthe *hili!!ines under *residential (ecree :o ;;$as a'ended$ the !roisions of this Act$ and ofsub!aragra!h ,1. of the third !aragra!h andsub!aragra!h ; of the fourth !aragra!h od 3ection1- of the Judiciary Act of 19;8

The court of A!!eals shall hae the !ower to try cases andconduct hearings$ receie eidence and !erfor' any and allacts necessary to resole factual issues raised in casesfalling within its original and a!!ellate urisdiction$ including

the !ower to grant and conduct new trials or A!!eals 'ustbe continuous and 'ust be co'!leted within three ,/.'onths$ unless e+tended by the #hief Justice (as amendedby1.. No. "42.$

Sec!"# 1*.'lace o% *olding sessions. The #ourt ofA!!eals shall hae its !er'anent station in the #ity of)anila


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CHAPTER IIREGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

Sec!"# 1$.6reation o% 1egional Trial 6ourts. There arehereby created thirteen ,1/. Regional Trial #ourts$ one foreach of the following udicial regions5

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Sec!"# 1%.1egional Trial 6ourts

,a. %iftyseen Regional Trial Judges shall beco''issioned for the %irst Judicial Region Thereshall be

,d. 6ne hundred seentytwo ,1-. Regional TrialJudges shall be co''issioned for the :ational#a!ital Judicial Region There shall be5

%iftyfie branches ,>ranches 1 to ==. for the#ity of )anila$ wit seats thereat7

Thirtytwo branches ,>ranches -? to 10-.

for @uezon #ity$ with seats thereat7

Twele branches ,>ranches 108 to 119. for*asay #ity$ with seats thereat7

Twele branches ,>ranches 10 to 1/1. for#aloocan #ity$ with seats thereat7

%iftyeight branches ,>ranches =? to -; and1/ to 1-0. for the )unici!alities of :aotas$)alabon$ 3an Juan$ )adaluyong$ )akati$*asig$ *ateros$ Taguig$ )arikina$*araa2ue$ as *ias$ and )untinlu!a7>ranches ?- to -1 and 1=1 to 1?8 at *asig7and >ranches - to -;$ 1?9 and 1-0 at)alabon7 and

Three branches ,>ranches -=$ 1-1 and 1-.for the 'unici!ality of Balenzuela$ with seatsthereat ,As a'ended by 46 :o //$ July/0$ 198?.

Sec!"# 1&.uali%ications. :o !ersons shall be a!!ointedRegional Trial Judge unless he is a naturalborn citizen ofthe *hili!!ines$ at least thirtyfie years of age$ and for at

least ten years$ has been engaged in the !ractice of law inthe *hili!!ines or has held a !ublic office in the *hili!!inesre2uiring ad'ission to the !ractice of law as anindis!ensable re2uisite

Sec!"# 1'.Time and duration o% sessions. The ti'e andduration of daily sessions of the Regional Trial #ourts shallbe deter'ined by the 3u!re'e #ourt5 'ro+ided, *o&e+er

$That all 'otions$ e+ce!t those re2uiring i''ediate action$shall be heard in the afternoon of eery %riday$ unless it fallson a holiday$ in which case$ the hearing shall be held on theafternoon of the ne+t succeeding business day5 'ro+ided,%urt*er

$ That the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay$ for good reasons$ fi+ adifferent 'otion day in s!ecified areas

Sec!"# 1(.ppointment and assignment o% 1egional TrialJudges. 4ery Regional Trial Judge shall be a!!ointed to aregion which shall be his !er'anent station$ and hisa!!oint'ent shall state the branch of the court and the seatthereof to which he shall be originally assigned Coweer$the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay assign te'!orarily a Regional TrialJudge to another region as !ublic interest 'ay re2uire$!roided that such te'!orary assign'ent shall not lastlonger than si+ ,?. 'onths without the consent of theRegional Trial Judge concerned

A Regional Trial Judge 'ay be assigned by the 3u!re'e#ourt to any branch or city or 'unici!ality within the sa'eregion as !ublic interest 'ay re2uire$ and such assign'entshall not be dee'ed an assign'ent to another station withinthe 'eaning of this section

Sec!"# 1).ut*ority to de%ine territory appurtenant to eac*branc*. The 3u!re'e #ourt shall define the territory oerwhich a branch of the Regional Trial #ourt shall e+ercise itsauthority The territory thus defined shall be dee'ed to bethe territorial area of the branch concerned for !ur!oses of

deter'ining the enue of all suits$ !roceedings or actions$whether ciil or cri'inal$ as well as deter'ining the)etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts oer the said branch 'aye+ercise a!!ellate urisdiction The !ower herein grantedshall be e+ercised with a iew to 'aking the courts readilyaccessible to the !eo!le of the different !arts of the regionand 'aking the attendance of litigants and witnesses asine+!ensie as !ossible

Sec!"# 19.Jurisdiction in civil cases. Regional Trial#ourts shall e+ercise e+clusie original urisdiction5

,1. &n all ciil actions in which the subect of thelitigation is inca!able of !ecuniary esti'ation7

,. &n all ciil actions which inole the title to$ or!ossession of$ real !ro!erty$ or any interest therein$where the assessed alue of the !ro!erty inolede+ceeds Twenty thousand !esos ,*0$00000. or forciil actions in )etro )anila$ where such the aluee+ceeds %ifty thousand !esos ,=0$00000. e+ce!tactions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer oflands or buildings$ original urisdiction oer which isconferred u!on )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!alTrial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts7

,/. &n all actions in ad'iralty and 'ariti'eurisdiction where he de'and or clai' e+ceeds 6nehundred thousand !esos ,*100$00000. or $ in )etro)anila$ where such de'and or clai' e+ceeds Twohundred thousand !esos ,00$00000.7

,;. &n all 'atters of !robate$ both testate andintestate$ where the gross alue of the estatee+ceeds 6ne hundred thousand !esos,*100$00000. or$ in !robate 'atters in )etro)anila$ where such gross alue e+ceeds Twohundred thousand !esos ,00$00000.7

,=. &n all actions inoling the contract of 'arriageand 'arital relations7

,?. &n all cases not within the e+clusie urisdiction ofany court$ tribunal$ !erson or body e+ercising

urisdiction or any court$ tribunal$ !erson or bodye+ercising udicial or 2uasiudicial functions7

,-. &n all ciil actions and s!ecial !roceedings fallingwithin the e+clusie original urisdiction of a Juenileand (o'estic Relations #ourt and of the #ourts of

Agrarian Relations as now !roided by law7 and

,8. &n all other cases in which the de'and$ e+clusieof interest$ da'ages of whateer kind$ attorneyDsfees$ litigation e+!enses$ and costs or the alue ofthe !ro!erty in controersy e+ceeds 6ne hundredthousand !esos ,100$00000. or$ in such otheraboe'entioned ite's e+ceeds Two hundredthousand !esos ,00$00000. ,as a'ended by RA:o -?91E.

Sec!"# 2*.Jurisdiction in criminal cases. Regional Trial#ourts shall e+ercise e+clusie original urisdiction in all


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cri'inal cases not within the e+clusie urisdiction of anycourt$ tribunal or body$ e+ce!t those now falling under thee+clusie and concurrent urisdiction of the 3andiganbayanwhich shall hereafter be e+clusiely taken cognizance of bythe latter

Sec!"# 21.Original jurisdiction in other cases.Regional Trial #ourts shall e+ercise original urisdiction5

,1. &n the issuance of writs of certiorari$ !rohibition$'anda'us$ 2uo warranto$ habeas cor!us and

inunction which 'ay be enforced in any !art of theirres!ectie regions7 and

,. &n actions affecting a'bassadors and other!ublic 'inisters and consuls

Sec!"# 22.Appellate jurisdiction. Regional Trial #ourtsshall e+ercise a!!ellate urisdiction oer all cases decided by)etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts in their res!ectie territorial

urisdictions 3uch cases shall be decided on the basis of theentire record of the !roceedings had in the court of originand such 'e'oranda andFor briefs as 'ay be sub'itted bythe !arties or re2uired by the Regional Trial #ourts Thedecision of the Regional Trial #ourts in such cases shall bea!!ealable by !etition for reiew to the

#ourt of A!!eals which 'ay gie it due course only whenthe !etition showsprima %aciethat the lower court hasco''itted an error of fact or law that will warrant a reersalor 'odification of the decision or udg'ent sought to bereiewed

Sec!"# 2$.Special 7urisdiction to try special cases. The3u!re'e #ourt 'ay designate certain branches of the

Regional Trial #ourts to handle e+clusiely cri'inal cases$uenile and do'estic relations cases$ agrarian cases$ urbanland refor' cases which do not fall under the urisdiction of2uasiudicial bodies and agencies$ andFor such other s!ecialcases as the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine in the interest ofa s!eedy and efficient ad'inistration of ustice

Sec!"# 2%.Special 1ules o% 'rocedure.


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be a )unici!al Trial #ourt with one branch$ e+ce!t ashereunder !roided5

Sec!"# $*.8unicipal Trial 6ourts. &n each of the'unici!alities that are not co'!rised within a 'etro!olitanarea and a 'unici!al circuit there shall be a )unici!al Trial#ourt which shall hae one branch$ e+ce!t as hereunder!roided5

Sec!"# $1.8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourt. There shall be a)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt in each area defined as a

'unici!al circuit$ co'!rising one or 'ore cities andFor one or'ore 'unici!alities The 'unici!alities co'!rising 'unici!alcircuits as organized under Ad'inistratie 6rder :o //$issued on June 1/$ 19-8 by the 3u!re'e #ourt !ursuant to*residential (ecree :o =/-$ are hereby constituted as'unici!al circuits for !ur!oses of the establish'ent of the)unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts$ and the a!!oint'ent thereto of)unici!al #ircuit Trial Judges5'ro+ided, *o&e+er

$ That the3u!re'e #ourt 'ay$ as the interests of ustice 'ay re2uire$further reorganize the said courts taking into accountworkload$ geogra!hical location$ and such other factors aswill contribute to a rational allocation thereof$ !ursuant to the!roisions of *residential (ecree :o =/- which shall be

a!!licable insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act

4ery )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judge shall be a!!ointed to a'unici!al circuit which shall be his official station

The 3u!re'e #ourt shall deter'ine the city or 'unici!alitywhere the )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourt shall hold sessions

Sec!"# $2.Jurisdiction o% 8etropolitan Trial 6ourts,8unicipal Trial 6ourts and 8unicipal 6ircuit Trial 6ourts incriminal cases. 4+ce!t in cases falling within the e+clusieoriginal urisdiction of Regional Trial #ourts and of the3andiganbayan$ the )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!alTrial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shalle+ercise5

,1. 4+clusie original urisdiction oer all iolations ofcity or 'unici!al ordinances co''itted within theirres!ectie territorial urisdiction7 and

,. 4+clusie original urisdiction oer all offenses!unishable with i'!rison'ent not e+ceeding si+ ,?.years irres!ectie of the a'ount of fine$ andregardless of other i'!osable accessory or other!enalties$ including the ciil liability arising fro' suchoffenses or !redicated thereon$ irres!ectie of kind$nature$ alue$ or a'ount thereof5 'ro+ided,*o&e+er,That in offenses inoling da'age to!ro!erty through cri'inal negligence they shall haee+clusie original urisdiction thereof (as amendedby 1., No. #"!$

Sec!"# $$. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts,Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courtsin civil cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial#ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts shall e+ercise5

,1. 4+clusie original urisdiction oer ciil actions

and !robate !roceedings$ testate and intestate$including the grant of !roisional re'edies in !ro!ercases$ where the alue of the !ersonal !ro!erty$estate$ or a'ount of the de'and does not e+ceed6ne hundred thousand !esos ,*100$00000. or$ in)etro )anila where such !ersonal !ro!erty$ estate$or a'ount of the de'and does not e+ceed Twohundred thousand !esos ,*00$00000. e+clusie ofinterest da'ages of whateer kind$ attorneyDs fees$litigation e+!enses$ and costs$ the a'ount of which'ust be s!ecifically alleged5 *roided$ That wherethere are seeral clai's or causes of action betweenthe sa'e or different !arties$ e'bodied in the sa'eco'!laint$ the a'ount of the de'and shall be the

totality of the clai's in all the causes of action$irres!ectie of whether the causes of action aroseout of the sa'e or different transactions7

,. 4+clusie original urisdiction oer cases offorcible entry and unlawful detainer5 *roided$ Thatwhen$ in such cases$ the defendant raises the2uestion of ownershi! in his !leadings and the2uestion of !ossession cannot be resoled withoutdeciding the issue of ownershi!$ the issue ofownershi! shall be resoled only to deter'ine the

issue of !ossession

,/. 4+clusie original urisdiction in all ciil actionswhich inole title to$ or !ossession of$ real !ro!erty$or any interest therein where the assessed alue ofthe !ro!erty or interest therein does not e+ceedTwenty thousand !esos ,*0$00000. or$ in ciilactions in )etro )anila$ where such assessed aluedoes not e+ceed %ifty thousand !esos ,*=0$00000.e+clusie of interest$ da'ages of whateer kind$attorneyDs fees$ litigation e+!enses andcosts5 'ro+ided, That alue of such !ro!erty shall bedeter'ined by the assessed alue of the adacent

lots (as amended by 1.. No. #"!$

Sec!"# $%. Delegated jurisdiction in cadastral and landregistration cases. )etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ )unici!alTrial #ourts$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts 'ay beassigned by the 3u!re'e #ourt to hear and deter'inecadastral or land registration cases coering lots where thereis no controersy or o!!osition$ or contested lots the wherethe alue of which does not e+ceed 6ne hundred thousand!esos ,*100$00000.$ such alue to be ascertained by theaffidait of the clai'ant or by agree'ent of the res!ectieclai'ants if there are 'ore than one$ or fro' thecorres!onding ta+ declaration of the real !ro!erty Their

decisions in these cases shall be a!!ealable in the sa'e'anner as decisions of the Regional Trial #ourts (asamended by 1.. No. #"!$

Sec!"# $&.Special jurisdiction in certain cases. &n theabsence of all the Regional Trial Judges in a !roince or city$any )etro!olitan Trial Judge$ )unici!al Trial Judge$)unici!al #ircuit Trial Judge 'ay hear and decide !etitionsfor a writ of *abeas corpusor a!!lications for bail in cri'inalcases in the !roince or city where the absent Regional TrialJudges sit

Sec!"# $'.Summary procedures in special cases. &n

)etro!olitan Trial #ourts and )unici!al Trial #ourts with atleast two branches$ the 3u!re'e #ourt 'ay designate oneor 'ore branches thereof to try e+clusiely forcible entry andunlawful detainer cases$ those inoling iolations of trafficlaws$ rules and regulations$ iolations of the rental law$ andsuch other cases re2uiring su''ary dis!osition as the3u!re'e #ourt 'ay deter'ine The 3u!re'e #ourt shallado!t s!ecial rules or !rocedures a!!licable to such casesin order to achiee an e+!editious and ine+!ensiedeter'ination thereof without regard to technical rules 3uchsi'!lified !rocedures 'ay !roide that affidaits andcounteraffidaits 'ay be ad'itted in lieu of oral testi'onyand that the !eriods for filing !leadings shall be non

e+tendible

Sec!"# $(.'reliminary in+estigation. Judges of)etro!olitan Trial #ourts$ e+ce!t those in the :ational#a!ital Region$ of )unici!al Trial #ourts$ and )unici!al#ircuit Trial #ourts shall hae authority to conduct!reli'inary inestigation of cri'es alleged to hae beenco''itted within their res!ectie territorial urisdictionswhich are cognizable by the Regional Trial #ourts

The !reli'inary inestigation shall be conducted inaccordance with the !rocedure !rescribed in 3ection 1$!aragra!hs ,a.$ ,b.$ ,c.$ and ,d.$ of *residential (ecree :o


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9115 'ro+ided, *o&e+er,That if after the !reli'inaryinestigation the Judge finds aprima %aciecase$ he shallforward the records of the case to the *roincialF#ity %iscalfor the filing of the corres!onding infor'ation with the !ro!ercourt

:o warrant of arrest shall be issued by the Judge inconnection with any cri'inal co'!laint filed with hi' for!reli'inary inestigation$ unless after an e+a'ination inwriting and under oath or affir'ation of the co'!lainant andhis witnesses$ he finds that a !robable cause e+ists

Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance herewith 'ay besered anywhere in the *hili!!ines

Sec!"# $).Judgments and processes.

,1. All udg'ents deter'ining the 'erits of casesshall be in writing$ stating clearly the facts and thelaw on which they were based$ signed by the Judgeand filed with the #lerk of #ourt 3uch udg'entshall be a!!ealable to the Regional Trial #ourts inaccordance with the !rocedure now !rescribed bylaw for a!!eals to the #ourt of %irst &nstance$ by the!roisions of this Act$ and by such rules as the3u!re'e #ourt 'ay hereafter !rescribe

,. All !rocesses issued by the )etro!olitan Trial#ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts and )unici!al #ircuitTrial #ourts$ in cases falling within their urisdiction$'ay be sered anywhere in the *hili!!ines withoutthe necessity of certification by the Judge of theRegional Trial #ourt

CHAPTER I+GENERAL PRO+ISIONS

Sec!"# $9.ppeals. The !eriod for a!!eal fro' finalorders$ resolutions$ awards$ udg'ents$ or decisions of anycourt in all cases shall be fifteen ,1=. days counted fro' thenotice of the final order$ resolution$ award$ udg'ent$ ordecision a!!ealed fro'5 'ro+ided *o&e+er

$ That in *abeascorpuscases$ the !eriod for a!!eal shall be fortyeight ,;8.hours fro' the notice of the udg'ent a!!ealed fro'

:o record on a!!eal shall be re2uired to take an a!!eal &nlieu thereof$ the entire record shall be trans'itted with all the!ages !ro'inently nu'bered consecutiely$ together with aninde+ of the contents thereof

This section shall not a!!ly in a!!eals in s!ecial!roceedings and in other cases wherein 'ulti!le a!!eals areallowed under a!!licable !roisions of the Rules of #ourt

Sec!"# %*.9orm o% decision in appealed cases. 4erydecision of final resolution of a court in a!!ealed cases shallclearly and distinctly state the findings of fact and theconclusions of law on which it is based$ which 'ay becontained in the decision or final resolution itself$ or ado!tedby reference fro' those set forth in the decision$ order$ orresolution a!!ealed fro'

Sec!"# %1.Salaries. &nter'ediate A!!ellate Justices$Regional Trial Judges$ )etro!olitan Trial Judges$ )unici!alTrial Judges$ and )unici!al #ircuit Trial Judges shall receiesuch co'!ensation and allowances as 'ay be authorized bythe *resident along the guidelines set forth in etter of&'!le'entation :o 9/ !ursuant to *residential (ecree :o98=$ as a'ended by *residential (ecree :o 1=9-

Sec!"# %2.:onge+ity pay. A 'onthly longeity !aye2uialent to =H of the 'onthly basic !ay shall be !aid tothe Justices and Judges of the courts herein created foreach fie years of continuous$ efficient$ and 'eritoriousserice rendered in the udiciary7 'ro+ided,That in no case

shall the total salary of each Justice or Judge concerned$after this longeity !ay is added$ e+ceed the salary of theJustice or Judge ne+t in rank

Sec!"# %$.Sta%%ing pattern. The 3u!re'e #ourt shallsub'it to the *resident$ within thirty ,/0. days fro' the dateof the effectiity of this Act$ a staffing !attern for all courtsconstituted !ursuant to this Act which shall be the basis ofthe i'!le'enting order to be issued by the *resident inaccordance with the i''ediately succeeding section

Sec!"# %%.Transitory pro+isions. The !roisions of thisAct shall be i''ediately carried out in accordance with an4+ecutie 6rder to be issued by the *resident The #ourt of

A!!eals$ the #ourts of %irst &nstance$ the #ircuit #ri'inal#ourts$ the Juenile and (o'estic Relations #ourts$ the#ourts of Agrarian Relations$ the #ity #ourts$ the )unici!al#ourts$ and the )unici!al #ircuit #ourts shall continue tofunction as !resently constituted and organized$ until theco'!letion of the reorganization !roided in this Act asdeclared by the *resident I!on such declaration$ the saidcourts shall be dee'ed auto'atically abolished and theincu'bents thereof shall cease to hold office The cases!ending in the old #ourts shall be transferred to the

a!!ro!riate #ourts constituted !ursuant to this Act$ togetherwith the !ertinent functions$ records$ e2ui!'ent$ !ro!ertyand the necessary !ersonnel

The a!!licable a!!ro!riations shall likewise be transferred tothe a!!ro!riate courts constituted !ursuant to this Act$ to beaug'ented as 'ay be necessary fro' the funds fororganizational changes as !roided in >atas *a'bansa >lg80 3aid funding shall thereafter be included in the annualeneral A!!ro!riations Act

Sec!"# %&.S*ari;a 6ourts. 3hariDa #ourts to beconstituted as !roided for in *residential (ecree :o 108/$

otherwise known as the "#ode of )usli' *ersonal aws ofthe *hili!!ines$" shall be included in the fundinga!!ro!riations so !roided in this Act

Sec!"# %'.-ratuity o% 7udges and personnel separated%rom o%%ice. All 'e'bers of the udiciary and subordinatee'!loyees who shall be se!arated fro' office by reason ofthe reorganization authorized herein$ shall be granted agratuity at a rate e2uialent to one 'onthDs salary for eeryyear of continuous serice rendered in any branch of thegoern'ent or e2uialent nearest fraction thereof faorableto the' on the basis of the highest salaryreceied5 'ro+ided,That such 'e'ber of the udiciary or

e'!loyee shall hae the o!tion to retire under the JudiciaryRetire'ent aw or general retire'ent law$ if he has 'et orsatisfied the re2uire'ents therefor

Sec!"# %(.1epealing clause. The !roisions of Re!ublicAct :o 9?$ otherwise known as the Judiciary Act of 19;8$as a'ended$ of Re!ublic Act :o =1-9 as a'ended$ of theRules of #ourt$ and of all other statutes$ letters ofinstructions and general order or !arts thereof$ inconsistentwith the !roisions of this Act are hereby re!ealed oraccordingly 'odified

Sec!"# %).ate o% E%%ecti+ity. This Act shall take effect

i''ediately

A!!roed5 August 1;$ 1981

F""#"e


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E6ther !roisions of the Act5

"3ection = After fie,=. years fro' the effectiity ofthis Act$ the urisdictional a'ounts 'entioned in 3ec19,/.$ ,;.$ and ,8.7 and 3ec //,1. of >atas*a'bansa >lg 19 as a'ended by this Act$ shall beadusted to Two hundred thousand !esos,*00$00000. fie ,=. years thereafter$ such

urisdictional a'ounts shall be adusted further toThree hundred thousand !esos,*/00$00000.5 'ro+ided, *o&e+er,That in the case

of )etro )anila$ the aboe'entioned urisdictionala'ounts shall be adusted after fie ,=. years fro'the effectiity of this Act of %our hundred thousand!esos ,*;00$00000.

3ection - The !roisions of this Act shall a!!ly toall ciil cases that hae not yet reached the !retrialstage Coweer$ by agree'ent of all the !arties$ ciilcases cognizable by 'unici!al and 'etro!olitancourts by the !roisions of this Act 'ay betransferred fro' the Regional Trial #ourts to thelatter The e+ecutie udge of the a!!ro!riateRegional Trial #ourt shall define the ad'inistratie

!rocedure of transferring the cases affected by theredefinition of urisdiction to the )etro!olitan Trial#ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourt$ and )unici!al #ircuitTrial #ourt"

E#ri'inal cases falling within the urisdiction of%a'ily #ourts ,established by the %a'ily #ourts Actof 199- KRA :o 8/?9L. hae been transferred fro')etro!olitan trial #ourts$ )unici!al Trial #ourts$

)unici!al trial #ourt in #ities$ )unici!al Trial #ourtsand )unici!al #ircuit Trial #ourts to Regional trial#ourts under A) :o 9911/3# effectie )arch

1$ 1999


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SUPREME COURT

Manila

FIRST DIVISION

G.R. No. 173915 February 22, 2010

IRENE SANTE AN RE!NA"O SANTE,Petitioners,

vs.

#ON. EI"$ERTO T. C"ARA%A"", &' (&) *a+a*&y a)Pre)&-&' /u-e o $ra'*( 0, Re&o'a Tr&a Cour o $au&o

C&y, a'- %ITA N. A"AS#IAN,Respondents.

D E C I S I O N

%I""ARAMA, /R., J.:

Before this Cort is a petition for !ertiorari"nder Rle #$ of

the "%%& Rles of Civil Pro!edre, as a'ended, filed () petitioners

Irene and Re)naldo Sante assailin* the De!ision+dated anar) -",

+# and the Resoltion-dated ne +-, +# of the Seventeenth

Division of the Cort of /ppeals in C/01.R. SP No. 2&$#-. The

assailed de!ision affir'ed the orders of the Re*ional Trial Cort3RTC4 of Ba*io Cit), Bran!h #, den)in* their 'otion to dis'iss

the !o'plaint for da'a*es filed () respondent Vita 5alashian

a*ainst the'.

The fa!ts, !lled fro' the re!ords, are as follo6s7

On /pril $, +8, respondent filed (efore the RTC of Ba*io Cit)

a !o'plaint for da'a*es8a*ainst petitioners. In her !o'plaint,

do!9eted as Civil Case No. $&%80R, respondent alle*ed that 6hile

she 6as inside the Poli!e Station of Natividad, Pan*asinan, and inthe presen!e of other persons and poli!e offi!ers, petitioner Irene

Sante ttered 6ords, 6hi!h 6hen translated in En*lish are as

follo6s, :How many rounds of sex did you have last night withyour boss, Bert? You fuckin bitch!: Bert refers to /l(ert 1a!san,

respondent;s friend and one 3"4 of her hired personal se!rit)

*ards detained at the said station and 6ho is a sspe!t in the

9illin* of petitioners; !lose relative. Petitioners also alle*edl) 6ent

arond Natividad, Pan*asinan tellin* people that she is prote!tin*

and !ddlin* the sspe!ts in the aforesaid 9illin*. Ths, respondent

pra)ed that petitioners (e held lia(le to pa) 'oral da'a*es in thea'ont of P-,.< P$,. as e=e'plar)

da'a*es< P$,. attorne);s feesrisdi!tional a'ont of P-,., (e!ase the !lai' fore=e'plar) da'a*es shold (e e=!lded in !o'ptin* the total

!lai'.

On ne +8, +8,#the trial !ort denied the 'otion to dis'iss

!itin* or rlin* inMoversBaseco ntegrated "ort #ervices, nc$

v$ %yborg &easing %or'oration.&The trial !ort held that the total

!lai' of respondent a'onted toP

8+,. 6hi!h 6as a(ove the>risdi!tional a'ont for MTCCs otside Metro Manila. The trial

!ort also later issed Orders on l) &, +82and l) "%,

+8,%respe!tivel) reiteratin* its denial of the 'otion to dis'issand den)in* petitioners; 'otion for re!onsideration.

/**rieved, petitioners filed on /*st +, +8, a Petition for

Certiorari and Prohi(ition,"do!9eted as CA4G.R. SP No. 565,

(efore the Cort of /ppeals. Mean6hile, on l) "8, +8,

respondent and her hs(and filed an /'endedCo'plaint""in!reasin* the !lai' for 'oral da'a*es

fro' P-,. to P",,.. Petitioners filed a Motion to

Dis'iss 6ith /ns6er(d %autelamand Conter!lai', (t the trial

!ort denied their 'otion in an Order"+dated Septe'(er "&, +8.

?en!e, petitioners a*ain filed a Petition for Certiorari and

Prohi(ition"-(efore the Cort of /ppeals, do!9eted asCA4G.R. SP

No. 753, !lai'in* that the trial !ort !o''itted *rave a(se of

dis!retion in allo6in* the a'end'ent of the !o'plaint to in!rease

the a'ont of 'oral da'a*es fro' P-,. to P",,..The !ase 6as raffled to the Seventeenth Division of the Cort of

/ppeals.

On anar) +-, +#, the Cort of /ppeals, Seventh Division,

pro'l*ated a de!ision in C/01.R. SP No. 2$8#$, as follo6s7

@?EREFORE, findin* *rave a(se of dis!retion on the part ofAthe Re*ional Trial Cort of Ba*io, Bran!h #, in renderin* theassailed Orders dated ne +8, +8 and l) A"%, +8 in Civil

Case No. $&%80R the instant petition for !ertiorari is 1R/NTED.

The assailed Orders are here() /NNED and SET /SIDE.

Civil Case No. $&%80R for da'a*es is ordered DISMISSED for

la!9 of >risdi!tion.

SO ORDERED."8

The Cort of /ppeals held that the !ase !learl) falls nder the

>risdi!tion of the MTCC as the alle*ations sho6 that plaintiff 6as

see9in* to re!over 'oral da'a*es in the a'ont of P-,.,

6hi!h a'ont 6as 6ell 6ithin the >risdi!tional a'ont of the

MTCC. The Cort of /ppeals added that the totalit) of !lai' rle

sed for deter'inin* 6hi!h !ort had >risdi!tion !old not (e

applied to the instant !ase (e!ase plaintiff;s !lai' for e=e'plar)

da'a*es 6as not a separate and distin!t !ase of a!tion fro' her!lai' of 'oral da'a*es, (t 'erel) in!idental to it. Ths, the

pra)er for e=e'plar) da'a*es shold (e e=!lded in !o'ptin*

the total a'ont of the !lai'.

On anar) -", +#, the Cort of /ppeals, this ti'e in C/01.R.

SP No. 2&$#-, rendered a de!ision affir'in* the Septe'(er "&,

+8 Order of the RTC den)in* petitioners; Motion to Dis'iss(d%autelam. In the said de!ision, the appellate !ort held that the

total or a**re*ate a'ont de'anded in the !o'plaint !onstittesthe (asis of >risdi!tion. The Cort of /ppeals did not find 'erit in

petitioners; postre that the !lai's for e=e'plar) da'a*es and

attorne);s fees are 'erel) in!idental to the 'ain !ase and shold

not (e in!lded in the !o'ptation of the total !lai'.

The Cort of /ppeals additionall) rled that respondent !an a'end

her !o'plaint () in!reasin* the a'ont of 'oral da'a*esfro' P-,. to P",,., on the *rond that the trial

!ort has >risdi!tion over the ori*inal !o'plaint and respondent is

entitled to a'end her !o'plaint as a 'atter of ri*ht nder the

Rles.

na(le to a!!ept the de!ision, petitioners are no6 (efore s raisin*

the follo6in* isses7

I.

@?ET?ER OR NOT T?ERE @/S 1R/VE /BSE OF

DISCRETION /MONTIN1 TO /C5 OR IN ECESS OF

RISDICTION ON T?E P/RT OF T?E 3FORMER4

SEVENTEENT? DIVISION OF T?E ?ONOR/BE CORT

OF /PPE/S @?EN IT RESOVED T?/T T?E RE1ION/TRI/ CORT OF B/1IO CIT BR/NC? # ?/S

RISDICTION OVER T?E SBECT M/TTER OF T?E

C/SE FOR D/M/1ES /MONTIN1 TO P-,.risdi!tion over the !o'plaint.

@e den) the petition, 6hi!h altho*h deno'inated as a petition for

!ertiorari, 6e treat as a petition for revie6 on !ertiorari nder Rle

8$ in vie6 of the isses raised.

Se!tion "%324 of Batas Pa'(ansa Bl*. "+%,"&as a'ended ()

Rep(li! /!t No. %","2states7

SEC. "%.)urisdiction in civil cases. Re*ional Trial Corts shall

e=er!ise e=!lsive ori*inal >risdi!tion7

= = = =

324 In all other !ases in 6hi!h the de'and, e=!lsive of interest,

da'a*es of 6hatever 9ind, attorne);s fees, liti*ation e=penses, and

!osts or the vale of the propert) in !ontrovers) e=!eeds Onehndred thosand pesos 3P",.4 or, in s!h other !ases in

Metro Manila, 6here the de'and, e=!lsive of the

a(ove'entioned ite's e=!eeds T6o hndred thosand pesos

3P+,.4.

Se!tion $ of Rep. /!t No. %" frther provides7

SEC. $. /fter five 3$4 )ears fro' the effe!tivit) of this /!t, the>risdi!tional a'onts 'entioned in Se!. "%3-4, 384, and 324< and

Se!. --3"4 of Batas Pa'(ansa Bl*. "+% as a'ended () this /!t,

shall (e ad>sted to T6o hndred thosand pesos 3P+,.4.

Five 3$4 )ears thereafter, s!h >risdi!tional a'onts shall (e

ad>sted frther to Three hndred thosand pesos

3P-,.47"rovided, however, That in the !ase of Metro

Manila, the a(ove'entioned >risdi!tional a'onts shall (e

ad>sted after five 3$4 )ears fro' the effe!tivit) of this /!t to Forhndred thosand pesos 3P8,.4.

Relatedl), Spre'e Cort Cir!lar No. +"0%% 6as issed de!larin*that the first ad>st'ent in >risdi!tional a'ont of first level

!orts otside of Metro Manila fro' P",. to P+,.

too9 effe!t on Mar!h +, "%%%. Mean6hile, the se!ond ad>st'ent

fro' P+,. to P-,. (e!a'e effe!tive on Fe(rar)

++, +8 in a!!ordan!e 6ith OC/ Cir!lar No. #$0+8 issed ()

the Offi!e of the Cort /d'inistrator on Ma) "-, +8.

Based on the fore*oin*, there is no Gestion that at the ti'e of the

filin* of the !o'plaint on /pril $, +8, the MTCC;s >risdi!tional

a'ont has (een ad>sted to P-,..

Bt 6here da'a*es is the 'ain !ase of a!tion, shold the a'ont

of 'oral da'a*es pra)ed for in the !o'plaint (e the sole (asis for

deter'inin* 6hi!h !ort has >risdi!tion or shold the total a'ont

of all the da'a*es !lai'ed re*ardless of 9ind and natre, s!h as

e=e'plar) da'a*es, no'inal da'a*es, and attorne);s fees, et!., (esedH

In this re*ard, /d'inistrative Cir!lar No. %0%8"%is instr!tive7

= = = =

+. The e=!lsion of the ter' :da'a*es of 6hatever 9ind: indeter'inin* the >risdi!tional a'ont nder Se!tion "% 324 and

Se!tion -- 3"4 of B.P. Bl*. "+%, as a'ended () R./. No. %",

applies to !ases 6here the da'a*es are 'erel) in!idental to or a

!onseGen!e of the 'ain !ase of a!tion. ?o6ever, in !ases 6here

the !lai' for da'a*es is the 'ain !ase of a!tion, or one of the

!ases of a!tion, the a'ont of s!h !lai' shall (e !onsidered in

deter'inin* the >risdi!tion of the !ort. 3E'phasis ors.4

In the instant !ase, the !o'plaint filed in Civil Case No. $&%80R isfor the re!over) of da'a*es for the alle*ed 'ali!ios a!ts of

petitioners. The !o'plaint prin!ipall) so*ht an a6ard of 'oral

and e=e'plar) da'a*es, as 6ell as attorne);s fees and liti*ation

e=penses, for the alle*ed sha'e and in>r) sffered () respondent

() reason of petitioners; tteran!e 6hile the) 6ere at a poli!e

station in Pan*asinan. It is settled that >risdi!tion is !onferred ()

la6 (ased on the fa!ts alle*ed in the !o'plaintsin!e the latter

!o'prises a !on!ise state'ent of the lti'ate fa!ts !onstittin* theplaintiff;s !ases of a!tion.+It is !lear, (ased on the alle*ations of

the !o'plaint, that respondent;s 'ain a!tion is for da'a*es.

?en!e, the other for's of da'a*es (ein* !lai'ed ()

respondent, e$g$, e=e'plar) da'a*es, attorne);s fees and liti*ation

e=penses, are not 'erel) in!idental to or !onseGen!es of the 'ain

a!tion (t !onstitte the pri'ar) relief pra)ed for in the

!o'plaint.*avv'hi*

InMendo+a v$ #oriano,+"it 6as held that in !ases 6here the !lai'for da'a*es is the 'ain !ase of a!tion, or one of the !ases of

a!tion, the a'ont of s!h !lai' shall (e !onsidered in

deter'inin* the >risdi!tion of the !ort. In the said !ase, the

respondent;s !lai' of P%+%,.# in da'a*es and P+$,

attorne);s fees pls P$ per !ort appearan!e 6as held to

represent the 'onetar) eGivalent for !o'pensation of the alle*ed

in>r). The Cort therein held that the total a'ont of 'onetar)

!lai's in!ldin* the !lai's for da'a*es 6as the (asis to deter'inethe >risdi!tional a'ont.

/lso, inniego v$ "urganan,++the Cort has held7

The a'ont of da'a*es !lai'ed is 6ithin the >risdi!tion of the

RTC, sin!e it is the !lai' for all 9inds of da'a*es that is the (asis

of deter'inin* the >risdi!tion of !orts, 6hether the !lai's for

da'a*es arise fro' the sa'e or fro' different !ases of a!tion.

= = = =

Considerin* that the total a'ont of da'a*es !lai'ed

6as P8+,., the Cort of /ppeals 6as !orre!t in rlin* that

the RTC had >risdi!tion over the !ase.

astl), 6e find no error, '!h less *rave a(se of dis!retion, on

the part of the Cort of /ppeals in affir'in* the RTC;s orderallo6in* the a'end'ent of the ori*inal !o'plaint

fro' P-,. to P",,. despite the penden!) of a

petition for !ertiorari filed (efore the Cort of /ppeals. @hile it is

a (asi! >risprdential prin!iple that an a'end'ent !annot (e

allo6ed 6hen the !ort has no >risdi!tion over the ori*inal

!o'plaint and the prpose of the a'end'ent is to !onfer>risdi!tion on the !ort,+-here, the RTC !learl) had >risdi!tion

over the ori*inal !o'plaint and a'end'ent of the !o'plaint 6as

then still a 'atter of ri*ht.+8

@?EREFORE, the petition is DENIED, for la!9 of 'erit. The

De!ision and Resoltion of the Cort of /ppeals dated anar) -",
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt15http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt15http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt16http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt17http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt18http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt18http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt19http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt19http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt20http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt20http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt21http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt21http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt22http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt22http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt23http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt23http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt24http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt24http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt15http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt16http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt17http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt18http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt19http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt20http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt21http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt22http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt23http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri2010/feb2010/gr_173915_2010.html#fnt24


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+# and ne +-, +#, respe!tivel), are /FFIRMED. The

Re*ional Trial Cort of Ba*io Cit), Bran!h # is IRECTEto

!ontine 6ith the trial pro!eedin*s in Civil Case No. $&%80R 6ith

deli(erate dispat!h.

Jurisdiction-bp 129 and Santes vs Claraval

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Transcript of Jurisdiction-bp 129 and Santes vs Claraval