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BP BLG 129
BP BLG 129
The Fourth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Nine branches (Branches XI to XIX) for the
Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Mindoro Occidental, province of Ilocos Norte and the city of
Mindoro Oriental, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal (except the cities Laoag, Branches XI to XVI with seats at
and municipalities embraced within the National Capital Laoag City, Branches XVII and XVIII at
Judicial Region0, Romblon, and Aurora, and the cities of Batac, and Branch XIX at Bangui;
Batangas, Cavite, Lipa, Lucena, Puerto Princessa, San Pablo,
Tagaytay, and Trece Martires;
Six branches (Braches XX to XXV) for the
province of Ilocos Sur, Branches XX and
The Fifth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of XXI with seats at Vigan, Branch XXII at
Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Narvacan, Branch XXIII at Candon, Branch
Masbate, and Sorsogon, and the cities of Legaspi, Naga and XXIV at Cabugao, and Branch XXV at
Iriga; Tagudin;
The Sixth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of Nine branches (Branches XXVI to XXXIV)
Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, La Calota, Roxas, San Carlos, for the province of La Union, Branches
and Silay, and the subprovince of Guimaras; XXVI to XXX with seats at San Fernando,
Branches XXXI and XXXII at Agoo, Branch
The Seventh Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of XXXIII at Bauang, and Branch XXXIV at
Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, and the cities of Balaoan;
Bais, Canlaon, Cebu, Danao, Dumaguete, Lapu-lapu,
Mandaue, Tagbilaran, and Toledo, Two branches (Branches XXXV and XXXVI)
for the province of Mountain province, with
The Eighth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces or seats at Bontoc; and
Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern, Samar, Southern Leyte,
Ormoc, and Tacloban: Twenty-one branches (Branches XXXVII to
LVII) for the province of Pangasinan and
The Ninth Judicial Region, consisting of the provinces of the citie sof dagupan and san Carlos,
Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Sur, and the cities Branches XXXVII to XXXIX with seats at
of Dapitan, Dipolog, Pagadian, and Zamboanga; Lingayen, Branches XL to XLIV at dagupan,
Branches XLV to XLIX at Urdaneta, Branch
L at Villasis, Branches LI and LII at Tayug, Twenty-two branches (Branches XLI to
Branch LIII at Rosalaes, Branches LIV and LXII) for the province of Pampanga and the
LV at Alaminos, and Branch LVI and LVII at city of Angeles, Branches XLI to XLVIII with
san Carlos. seats at San Fernando, Branches XLIX to
LIII at Guagua, Branches LIV and LV at
(b) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be Macabebe, and Branches LVI to LXII at
commissioned for the Second Judicial region. There Angeles City;
shall be:
Six branches (Branches LXIII to LXVIII) for
Twelve branches (Branches I to XII) for the the province of Tarlac, Branches LXVI at
province of Cagayan, Branches I to V with Capas, Branch LXVII at Paniqui, and
seats at Tuguegarao, Branches VI to X at Branch LXVIII at Camiling; and
Aparri, Branch XI at Tuao, and Branch XII
at Sanchez Mira; Seven branches (Branches LXIX to LXXV)
for the province of Zambales and the city
One branch (Branch XIII) for the province of Olongapo, Branches LXIX to LXXI with
of Batanes, with seat at Basco; seats at Iba and Branches LXXII to LXXV at
Olongapo City
Two branches (Branches XIV and XV) for
the province of Ifugao, Branch XIV with (d) One hundred seventy-two (172) Regional Trial
seat at Lagawe, and Branch XV at Potia; Judges shall be commissioned for the National
Capital Judicial Region. There shall be:
Nine branches (Branches XVI to XXIV) for
the province of Isabela, Branches XVI to Fifty-five branches (Branches 1 to 55) for
XVIII with seats at Ilagan, Branches XIX the City of Manila, wit seats thereat;
and XX at cauayan, Branch XXI at
Santiago, Branch XXII at Cabagan, Branch Thirty-two branches (Branches 76 to 107)
XXIII at Roxas, and Branch XXIV at for Quezon City, with seats thereat;
Echague;
Twelve branches (Branches 108 to 119) for
Two branches (Branches XXV and XXVI) for Pasay City, with seats thereat;
the province of kalinga-Apayao, Branch
XXV with seat at Tabuk, and Branch XXVI Twelve branches (Branches 120 to 131) for
at Luna; Caloocan City, with seats thereat;
(c) Seventy-five Regional Trial judges shall be Three branches (Branches 75, 171 and
commissioned for the Third Judicial Region. There 172) for the municipality of Valenzuela,
shall be: with seats thereat. (As amended by EO No.
33, July 30, 1986.)
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the
province of Bataan, Branches I to III with (e) Eihty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be
seats at Balanga, Branch IV at Mariveles, commissioned for the Fourth Judicial Region. There
and Branch V at Dinalupihan; shall be:
Eighteen branches (Branches I to XVIII) for (h) Forty-six Regional Trial Judges shall be
the province of Albay and the city of commissioned for the Seventh Judicial Region.
Legaspi, Branches I to X with seats at There shall be:
Legaspi City, Branches XI to XIV at Ligao,
and Branches XV to XVIII at Tabaco; 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) One branch (Branch V) for the province of
for the province of Cebu and the cities of Tawi-Tawi, with seat at Bongao;
Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and
Toledo, Branches V to XXIV with seats at Six branches (Branches VI to XI) for the
Cebu City, Branch XXV at Danao City, province of Zamboanga del Norte, and the
Branch XXVI at Argao, Branch XXVII at cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, Branches VI
Lapu-Lapu City, Branch XXVIII at Mandaue to X seats at Dipolog City, and Branch XI at
City, and Branch XXIX at Toledo City; Sindangan; and
Sixteen branches (Branches XXX to XLV) Thirteen branches (Branches XII to XXIV)
for the province of Negros Oriental and the for the province of Zamboanga del Sur and
cities of Dumaguete, Bais and Canlaon, the cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga
Branches XXX to XLIV with seats at Branches XII to XVII with seats at
Dumaguete City, and Branch XLV at Bais Zamboanga City, Branches, XVIII to XXII at
City; and Pagadian City, Branch XXIII at Molave, and
Branch XXIV at Ipil.
One branch (Branch XLVI) for the province
of Siquijor, with seat at Larena. (k) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be
commissioned for the Tenth Judicial Region. There
(i) Thirty-three Regional Trial Judges shall be shall be:
commissioned for the Eighth Judicial Region. There
shall be: Five branches (Branches I to V) for the
province of Agusan del Norte and the city
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the of Butuan, with seats at Butuan City;
province of Eastern Samar, Branches I and
II with seats at Borongan, Branch III at Two branches (Branches VI and VII) for
Guiuan, Branch IV at Dolores, and Branch the province of Agusan del Sur, Branches
V at Oras; VI with seat at Prosperidad and Branch VII
with seat at Bayugan;
Thirteen branches (Branches VI to XVIII)
for the province of Leyte, the sub-province Four branches (Branches VIII to XI) for the
of Biliran, and the cities of Ormoc and province of Bukidnon, Branches VIII to X
Tacloban, Branches VI and IX with seats at with seats at Malaybalay and Branch XI at
Tacloban City, Branch X at Abuyog, Branch Manalo Fortich;
XI at Calubian, Branch XII at Ormoc City,
Branch XIII at Carigara, Branch XIV at
Five branches (Branches XII to XI) for the
Baybay, Branch XV at Burauen, Branch XVI
province of Misamis Occidental and the
at Naval, Branch XVII at Palompon, and
cities of Oroquieta, Ozamis, and Tangub,
Branch XVIII at Hilongos;
Branches XII to XIV with seats at Oroquieta
City, Branch XV at Ozamis City, and Branch
Five branches (Branches XIX to XXIII) for XVI at Tangub City;
the province of Northern Samar, Branches
XIX and XX with seats at Catarman,
Eleven branches (Branches XVII to XXVII)
Branches XXI and XXII at Laoang, and
for the province of Misamis Oriental and
Branch XXIII at Allen;
the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog,
Branches XVII to XXV with seats at
Three branches (Branches XXIV to XXVI) Cagayan de Oro City, Branch XXVI at
for the province of Southern Leyte, Medina, and Branch XXVII at Gingoog City;
Branches XXIV and XXV with seats at
Maasin, and Branch XXVI at San Juan; and
One branch (Branch XXVIII) for the
province of Camiguin, with seat at
Seven branches (Branches XXVII to XXXIII) Mambajao; and
for the province of Samar and the city of
Calbayog, Branches XXVII to XXIX with
Four branches (Branches XXIX to XXXII)
seats at Catbalogan, Branch XXX at Basey,
for the province of Surigao del Norte and
Branches XXXI and XXXII at Calbayog City,
the City of Surigao, Branches XXIX and XXX
and Branch XXXIII at Calbiga.
with seats at Surigao City, Branch XXXI at
Dapa, and Branch XXXII at Dinagat,
(j) Twenty-four Regional Trial Judges shall be Dinagat Island.
commissioned for the Ninth Judicial Region. There
shall be:
(l) Twenty-nine Regional Trial Judges shall be
commissioned for the Eleventh Judicial Region.
Two branches (Branches I and II) for the There shall be
province of Basilan, with seats at Isabela;
Four branches (Branches I to IV) for the
Two branches (Branches III and IV) for the province of Davao del Norte, Branches I
province of Sulu, Branch III with seat at
Jolo, and Branch IV at Parang;
and II with seats at Tagum, Branch III at Section 16. Time and duration of sessions. – The time
Nabunturan, and Branch IV at Panabo; and duration of daily sessions of the Regional Trial Courts
shall be determined by the Supreme Court: Provided,
Three branches (Branches V to VII) for the however, That all motions, except those requiring immediate
province of Davao Oriental, Branches V and action, shall be heard in the afternoon of every Friday, unless
VI with seats at Mati and Branch VII at it falls on a holiday, in which case, the hearing shall be held
Banganga; on the afternoon of the next succeeding business
day: Provided, further, That the Supreme Court may, for
good reasons, fix a different motion day in specified areas
Fourteen branches (Branches VIII to XXI)
for the province of Davao del Sur and the
city of Davao, Branches VIII to XVII with Section 17. Appointment and assignment of Regional
seats at Davao City, Branches XVIII and Trial Judges. – Every Regional Trial Judge shall be
XIX at Digos, Branch XX at Malinta, and appointed to a region which shall be his permanent station,
Branch XXI a Bansalan; and his appointment shall state the branch of the court and
the seat thereof to which he shall be originally assigned.
However, the Supreme Court may assign temporarily a
Five Branches (Branches XXII to XXVI) for
Regional Trial Judge to another region as public interest may
the province of South Cotabato and the city
require, provided that such temporary assignment shall not
of General Santos, Branches XXII and XXIII
last longer than six (6) months without the consent of the
with seats at General Santos City, Branches
Regional Trial Judge concerned.
XXIV and XXV at Koronadal, and Branch
XXVI at Surallah; and
A Regional Trial Judge may be assigned by the Supreme
Court to any branch or city or municipality within the same
Three branches (Branches XXVII to XXIX)
region as public interest may require, and such assignment
for the province of Surigao del Sur, Branch
shall not be deemed an assignment to another station within
XXVII with seat at Tandag, Branch XXVIII
the meaning of this section.
at Lianga, and Branch XXIX at Bislig.
Section 15. Qualifications. – No persons shall be (3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime
appointed Regional Trial Judge unless he is a natural-born jurisdiction where he demand or claim exceeds One
citizen of the Philippines, at least thirty-five years of age, and hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or , in Metro
for at least ten years, has been engaged in the practice of Manila, where such demand or claim exceeds Two
law in the Philippines or has held a public office in the hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);
Philippines requiring admission to the practice of law as an
indispensable requisite. (4) In all matters of probate, both testate and
intestate, where the gross value of the estate
exceeds One hundred thousand pesos quasi-judicial bodies and agencies, and/or such other special
(P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro cases as the Supreme Court may determine in the interest of
Manila, where such gross value exceeds Two a speedy and efficient administration of justice.
hundred thousand pesos (200,000.00);
Section 24. Special Rules of Procedure. – Whenever a
(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage Regional Trial Court takes cognizance of juvenile and
and marital relations; domestic relation cases and/or agrarian cases, the special
rules of procedure applicable under present laws to such
(6) In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction cases shall continue to be applied, unless subsequently
of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising amended by law or by rules of court promulgated by the
jurisdiction or any court, tribunal, person or body Supreme Court.
exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions;
CHAPTER III
(7) In all civil actions and special proceedings falling METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL
within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS
and Domestic Relations Court and of the Courts of
Agrarian Relations as now provided by law; and Section 25. Establishment of Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit
(8) In all other cases in which the demand, Trial Courts. – There shall be created a Metropolitan Trial
exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, Court in each metropolitan area established by law, a
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs or the Municipal Trial Court in each of the other cities or
value of the property in controversy exceeds One municipalities, and a Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each
hundred thousand pesos (100,000.00) or, in such circuit comprising such cities and/or municipalities as are
other abovementioned items exceeds Two hundred grouped together pursuant to law.
thousand pesos (200,000.00). (as amended by R.A.
No. 7691*) Section 26. Qualifications. – No person shall be appointed
judge of a Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, or
Section 20. Jurisdiction in criminal cases. – Regional Municipal Circuit Trial Court unless he is a natural-born citizen
Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in all of the Philippines, at least 30 years of age, and, for at least
criminal cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any five years, has been engaged in the practice of law in the
court, tribunal or body, except those now falling under the Philippines, or has held a public office in the Philippines
exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan requiring admission to the practice of law as an indispensable
which shall hereafter be exclusively taken cognizance of by requisite.
the latter.
Section 27. Metropolitan Trial Courts of the National
Section 21. Original jurisdiction in other cases. – Capital Region. – There shall be a Metropolitan Trial Court
Regional Trial Courts shall exercise original jurisdiction: 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:
(1) In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition,
mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and
injunction which may be enforced in any part of Thirty branches (Branches I to XXX) for the city of
their respective regions; and Manila with seats thereat;
(2) In actions affecting ambassadors and other Thirteen branches (Branches XXXI to XLIII) for
public ministers and consuls. Quezon City with seats thereat;
Section 22. Appellate jurisdiction. – Regional Trial Courts Five branches (Branches XLIV to XLVIII) for Pasay
shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by City with seats thereat;
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their respective territorial Five branches (Branches XLIX to LIII) for Caloocan
jurisdictions. Such cases shall be decided on the basis of the City with seats thereat;
entire record of the proceedings had in the court of origin
and such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by One branch (Branch LIV) for Navotas with seat
the parties or required by the Regional Trial Courts. The thereat;
decision of the Regional Trial Courts in such cases shall be
appealable by petition for review to the
Two branches (Branches LV and LVI) for Malabon
with seats thereat;
Court of Appeals which may give it due course only when the
petition shows prima facie that the lower court has
Two branches (Branches LVII and LVIII) for San
committed an error of fact or law that will warrant a reversal
Juan with seats thereat;
or modification of the decision or judgment sought to be
reviewed.
Two branches (Branches LIX and LX) for
Mandaluyong with seats thereat;
Section 23. Special jurisdiction to try special cases. –
The Supreme Court may designate certain branches of the
Regional Trial Courts to handle exclusively criminal cases, Seven branches (Branches LXI and LXVII) for Makati
juvenile and domestic relations cases, agrarian cases, urban with seats thereat;
land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of
Five branches (Branches LXVIII to LXXII) for Pasig Three branches for Naga City;
with seats thereat;
Two branches for Iriga City;
One branch (Branch LXXIII) for Pateros with seat
thereat; Three branches for Legaspi City;
One branch (Branch LXXIV) for Taguig with seat Two branches for Roxas City;
thereat;
Four branches for Iloilo City;
Two branches (Branches LXXV and LXXVI) for
Marikina with seats thereat;
Seven branches for Bacolod City;
Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII) for Two branches for Tagbilaran City;
Valenzuela with seats thereat;
Two branches for Surigao City;
Section 28. Other Metropolitan Trial Courts. – The
Supreme Court shall constitute Metropolitan Trial Courts in Two branches for Butuan City;
such other metropolitan areas as may be established by law
whose territorial jurisdiction shall be co-extensive with the
Five branches for Cagayan de Oro City;
cities and municipalities comprising the metropolitan area.
Two branches for Laoag City; Two branches for Iligan City.
Four branches for Baguio City; Section 30. Municipal Trial Courts. – In each of the
municipalities that are not comprised within a metropolitan
Three branches for Dagupan City; area and a municipal circuit there shall be a Municipal Trial
Court which shall have one branch, except as hereunder
provided:
Five branches for Olongapo City;
Two branches for San Fernando, La Union;
Three branches for Cabanatuan City;
Four branches for Tuguegarao;
Two branches for San Jose City;
Three branches for Lallo, and two branches for
Three branches for Angeles City; Aparri, both of Cagayan;
Two branches for Cavite City; Two branches for Santiago, Isabela;
Two branches for Batangas City; Two branches each for Malolos, Meycauayan and
Bulacan, all of Bulacan Province;
Two branches for Lucena City;
Four branches for San Fernando and two branches Metro Manila where such personal property, estate,
for Guagua, both of Pampanga; or amount of the demand does not exceed Two
hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) exclusive of
Two branches for Tarlac, Tarlac; interest damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees,
litigation expenses, and costs, the amount of which
must be specifically alleged: Provided, That where
Two branches for San Pedro, Laguna; and
there are several claims or causes of action between
the same or different parties, embodied in the same
Two branches each for Antipolo and Binangonan, complaint, the amount of the demand shall be the
both in Rizal. totality of the claims in all the causes of action,
irrespective of whether the causes of action arose
Section 31. Municipal Circuit Trial Court. – There shall out of the same or different transactions;
be a Municipal Circuit Trial Court in each area defined as a
municipal circuit, comprising one or more cities and/or one or (2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of
more municipalities. The municipalities comprising municipal forcible entry and unlawful detainer: Provided, That
circuits as organized under Administrative Order No. 33, when, in such cases, the defendant raises the
issued on June 13, 1978 by the Supreme Court pursuant to question of ownership in his pleadings and the
Presidential Decree No. 537, are hereby constituted as question of possession cannot be resolved without
municipal circuits for purposes of the establishment of the deciding the issue of ownership, the issue of
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, and the appointment thereto of ownership shall be resolved only to determine the
Municipal Circuit Trial Judges:Provided, however, That the issue of possession.
Supreme Court may, as the interests of justice may require,
further reorganize the said courts taking into account
(3) Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions
workload, geographical location, and such other factors as
which involve title to, or possession of, real
will contribute to a rational allocation thereof, pursuant to the
property, or any interest therein where the assessed
provisions of Presidential Decree No. 537 which shall be
value of the property or interest therein does not
applicable insofar as they are not inconsistent with this Act.
exceed Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or, in
civil actions in Metro Manila, where such assessed
Every Municipal Circuit Trial Judge shall be appointed to a value does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos
municipal circuit which shall be his official station. (P50,000.00) exclusive of interest, damages of
whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses
The Supreme Court shall determine the city or municipality and costs: Provided, That value of such property
where the Municipal Circuit Trial Court shall hold sessions. shall be determined by the assessed value of the
adjacent lots. (as amended by R.A. No. 7691)
Section 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Section 34. Delegated jurisdiction in cadastral and
Courts in criminal cases. – Except in cases falling within land registration cases. – Metropolitan Trial Courts,
the exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts may
of the Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts, be assigned by the Supreme Court to hear and determine
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there
exercise: is no controversy or opposition, or contested lots the where
the value of which does not exceed One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00), such value to be ascertained by the
(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations
affidavit of the claimant or by agreement of the respective
of city or municipal ordinances committed within
claimants if there are more than one, or from the
their respective territorial jurisdiction; and
corresponding tax declaration of the real property. Their
decisions in these cases shall be appealable in the same
(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses manner as decisions of the Regional Trial Courts. (as
punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6) amended by R.A. No. 7691)
years irrespective of the amount of fine, and
regardless of other imposable accessory or other
Section 35. Special jurisdiction in certain cases. – In
penalties, including the civil liability arising from
the absence of all the Regional Trial Judges in a province or
such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of
city, any Metropolitan Trial Judge, Municipal Trial Judge,
kind, nature, value, or amount thereof: Provided,
Municipal Circuit Trial Judge may hear and decide petitions
however, That in offenses involving damage to
for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal
property through criminal negligence they shall have
cases in the province or city where the absent Regional Trial
exclusive original jurisdiction thereof. (as amended
Judges sit.
by R.A, No. 7691)