Regional Trial Court

Exclusive 1.    Exclusive  original  jurisdiction  in  criminal  cases  not  within  the exclusive
Original jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body, except those falling  under  the 
exclusive  and  concurrent  jurisdiction  of  the Sandiganbayan
All  criminal  cases  where  the  penalty  is  higher  than  6  years, including  government-related 
cases wherein  the  accused  in  not one of those falling under the jurisdiction of the
Sandiganbayan is within the jurisdiction of the RTC.
2.    Other laws which specifically lodge jurisdiction in the RTC
a.    Laws on written defamation or libel
b.    Decree on Intellectual Property
c.     Dangerous  Drugs  Cases  except  where  the  offenders  are below  16  years  and  there  are 
Juvenile  and  Domestic Relations Courts in the province
d. Criminal actions or proceedings for violation of Omnibus Election Code
3. In cases where the only penalty is fine exceeding 4000

Family Court – Criminal cases

1. One or more of the accused is/are below 18 years of age but not less than 9 years of age;
2. Where one of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense;
3. Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drug Act;
4. Violations of RA 7610 as amended by RA 7658; and
5. Cases of domestic violence against women and children.

In areas where there are no family courts, the cases falling under the jurisdiction of
family courts shall be adjudicated by the RTC

Appellate Appellate  jurisdiction  over  all  cases  decided  by  MTCs  in  their respective territorial
jurisdiction

Special To handle exclusively criminal cases as designated by the SC

Sandiganbayan
Exclusive a. Violations of:
Original a. Republic Act 3019
(Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act)
b. Republic Act No. 1379
c. Chapter 11, Section 2, Title VII, Book II of the Revised Penal Code
b. where one or more of the accused are officials occupying the following positions in the
government, whether in a permanent, acting or interim capacity, at the time of the
commission of the offense:
c. (1) Officials of the executive branch occupying the position of regional director and
higher (AKA Grade ‘27’ of RA 6758), including:
a. Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang
panlalawigan, provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers and other provincial
department heads;
b. City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panlungsod, city
treasurers, assessors, engineers and other city department heads;
c. Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher;
d. Philippine army and air force colonels, naval captains, and all officers of higher
rank;
e. Officers of the PNP while occupying the position of provincial director and
those holding the rank of senior superintendent or higher;
f. City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, and officials and
prosecutors in the office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor;
g. Presidents, directors of trustees, or managers of government owned or
controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or
foundations.
d. (2) Members of Congress and officials thereof (classified as Grade ‘27’ and higher
under the CPCA of 1989);
e. (3) Members of the judiciary without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution;
f. (4) Chairmen and members of the Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice
to the provisions of the Constitution; and
g. (5) All other national and local officials (classified as Grade ‘27’ and higher under the
 CPCA of 1989)
h. b. Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed
in relation to their office by the public officials and employees mentioned in Section
4(a), P.D. 1606, as amended by Republic Act 7975
i. c. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order #s
1,2,14 and 14 – A, issued in 1986

Appellate Appeals from the judgment, resolutions or orders of RTC whether in the exercise of their own
jurisdiction or of their appellate jurisdiction where all the accused are occupying positions lower
than the salary grade 27 or not otherwise covered by the preceding enumeration.

Petitions for the issuance of the writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus,
injunction and other ancillary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction and over
petitions of similar nature, including quo warranto, arising or that may arise in cases filed or
which may be filed under EO Nos 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, issued in 1986: provided, that the jurisdiction
over these petitions shall not be exclusive of the SC.

Court of Appeals
Exclusive Crimes of terrorism under Human Security Act of 2007 (RA 9372)
Concurrent With the Supreme Court:
a. petitions for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the Regional Trial Court

With the Supreme Court & Regional Trial Court:

a. petitions for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the Regional Trial Court

Appellate By Notice of Appeal

1. From the RTC in the exercise of its jurisdiction, except those appealable to the
Sandiganbayan, CTA, and SC;
2. From the RTC where penalty is imposed is reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment or
where a lesser penalty is imposed but for offenses committed on the same occasion or which
arose out of the same occurrence that gave rise to the more serious offense for which the
penalty of death, reclusion perpetua, or life imprisonment is imposed.

By automatic Review, i.e., no Notice of Appeal is necessary

From the RTC, in cases where the death penalty is imposed.

By Petition for Review under R42

From the RTC in cases appealed thereto from lower courts and not appealable to
Sandiganbayan.

Supreme Court
Exclusive Petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against CA and Sandiganbayan
Concurrent With the Court of Appeals:
a. petitions for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the Regional Trial Court

With the Court of Appeals & Regional Trial Court:

a. petitions for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the MTCs.

Appellate By Petition for Review on Certiorari

1. From CA;
2. From the Snadiganbayan
3. From the RTC where only an error or question of law is involved.
Where the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment, appeal
should be made to the CA not the SC