JURISDICTION OF COURTS

SUPREME COURT

ORIGINAL EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE CONCURRENT

1. Exercise original, Petitions for issuance of writs Review, revise, reverse,
jurisdiction over cases of certiorari, prohibition, and modify, or affirm on appeal With CA With CA, SB and RTC
affecting ambassadors, mandamus against the or certiorari, as the law or the
other public ministers following: Rules of Court may provide, 1. Petitions for issuance of Petition for issuance of writ
and consuls, and over final judgments and orders of writs of certiorari, of Amparo and Writ of
petitions for: a. Court of Appeals lower courts in: prohibition and Habeas Data;
b. Commission on mandamus against the
a. Certiorari Elections En Banc a. All cases in which the following: With Sandiganbayan
b. Prohibition c. Commission on Audit constitutionality or validity a. NLRC under the
Labor Code. Petition for mandamus,
c. Mandamus d. Sandiganbayan of any treaty, international prohibition, certiorari,
d. quo warranto, and e. Court of Tax Appeals or executive agreement, b. Civil Service
Commission injunctions and ancillary
e. habeas corpus. (Sec. law, presidential decree, writs in aid of its appellate
5, Art. VIII, 1987 proclamation, order, c. Quasi-judicial
agencies (file with jurisdiction including quo
Constitution) instruction, ordinance, or warranto or that may arise in
regulation is in question. the CA first)
d. RTC and lower cases filed under E.O Nos.
2. Writ of Amparo, b. All cases involving the 1,2,14 and 14A.
Kalikasan, Continuing legality of any tax, impost, courts;
Mandamus, and Habeas assessment, or toll, or any
With RTC
Data. penalty imposed in 2. Petitions for issuance of
relation thereto. writ of kalikasan (Sec. 3, Actions affecting:
3. Disciplinary proceedings c. All cases in which the Rule 7, A.M. No. 09-6-8- a. ambassadors
against members of the jurisdiction of any lower SC). b. other public ministers
judiciary and attorneys court is in issue. and
d. All criminal cases in which With CA and RTC c. consuls.
the penalty imposed is 1. Petition for Habeas NOTE: The Doctrine of
reclusion perpetua or Corpus and Quo warranto Hierarchy of Courts applies
higher. when two courts have

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 1
e. All cases in which only an 2. Petition for issuance of concurrent jurisdiction of the
error or question of law is writ of certiorari, subject matter.
involved. (Sec. 5 [2], Art. prohibition and
VIII, 1987 Constitution) mandamus against the
lower courts or other
A party desiring to appeal by bodies.
certiorari from a judgment or
final order or resolution of
the Court of Appeals may file
within the Supreme Court a
verified petition for review
on certiorari. The petition
shall raise only questions of
law which must be distinctly
set forth (Sec. 5, Rule 45,
Rules of Civil Procedure)

NOTE: Questions of law can

be raised before the CA (BP
129)

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 2
 COURT OF APPEALS

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL APPELLATE CONCURRENT

Actions for Annulment of judgements of RTC (Sec.
9, B.P 129) Exclusive Appellate
Over ALL final judgements, resolutions, orders or
awards of Regional Trial Courts and Quasi-judicial
agencies, Instrumentalities, Boards or
Commission including:
a. Securities and Exchange Commission,
b. Social Security Commission,
c. Employees Compensation Commission
d. Civil Service Commission
EXCEPTION: those falling within the appellate
jurisdiction of
a. The Supreme Court in accordance with the
Constitution
b. the Labor Code of the Philippines under
Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended,
c. Provisions of this Act, and of Subparagraph
(1) of the third paragraph and
subparagraph (4) of the fourth paragraph
of Sec. 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.
With SC
1. Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against the
following:
a. NLRC under the Labor Code.
b. Civil Service Commission
c. Quasi-judicial agencies (file with the CA
first)
d. RTC and lower courts;
2. Petitions for issuance of writ of kalikasan
(Sec. 3, Rule 7, A.M. No. 09-6-8-SC).
With SC and RTC
1. Petition for Habeas Corpus and Quo warranto
2. Petition for issuance of writ of certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against the lower
courts or other bodies.
With SC, SB and RTC
Petition for issuance of writ of Amparo and Writ
of Habeas Data;

Auxiliary writs and processes (whether or not in aid

of its appellate jurisdiction).

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 3
 Appellate
1. Over decisions of Municipal Trial Courts in
cadastral or land registration cases pursuant
to its delegated jurisdiction.

2. Rule 41- over Regional Trial Court’s decisions

in the exercise if its ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
(via NOTICE or RECORD OF APPEAL)

3. Rule 42 – over Regional Trial Court’s decisions

in the exercise of its APPELLATE JURISDICTION
(via Petition for REVIEW)

4. Rule 43 – Petition for review over

a. judgments or final orders of the Court of

Tax Appeals
b. awards, judgments, final orders or
resolutions of or authorized by any quasi-
judicial agency in the exercise of its quasi-
judicial functions.

Among these agencies are the:

i. Civil Service Commission

ii. Central Board of Assessment Appeals
iii. Securities and Exchange Commission
iv. Office of the President
v. Land Registration Authority
vi. Social Security Commission
vii. Civil Aeronautics Board
viii. Bureau of Patents
ix. Trademarks and Technology Transfer
x. National Electrification Administration
xi. Energy Regulatory Board

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 4
 xii. National Telecommunications
Commission
xiii. Department of Agrarian Reform under
Republic Act No. 6657
xiv. Government Service Insurance System
xv. Employees Compensation Commission
xvi. Agricultural Invention Board, Insurance
Commission
xvii. Philippine Atomic Energy Commission
xviii. Board of Investments
xix. Construction Industry Arbitration
Commission, and
xx. voluntary arbitrators authorized by law.

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 5
 SANDIGANBAYAN
Conditions sine qua non before SB can take cognizance:
✓ (1) Nature of the offense; and (2) Position occupied by the accused
EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL
1. Violations of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 1379, and Chapter
II, Section 2, Title VII, Book II of the Revised Penal Code, 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.

a. Officials of the executive branch occupying the positions of regional director and higher, otherwise classified as Grade "27" and higher of the
Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989 (Republic Act No. 6758), specifically including (EVEN IF BELOW SG27):

i. Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, and provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other
provincial department heads;
ii. City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panlungsod city treasurer, assessors, engineers, and other city department heads;
iii. Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher;
iv. Philippine army and air force colonels, naval captains, and all officers of higher rank;
v. Officers of the Philippine National Police while occupying the position of provincial director and those holding the rank of senior superintendent
or higher;
vi. City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, and officials and prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor;
Presidents, directors or trustees, or managers of government-owned or controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or
foundations
b. Members of Congress and officials thereof classified as Grade "27" and up under the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989;
c. Members of the judiciary without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution;
d. Chairmen and members of Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice to the provisions of the Constitution; and
e. All other national and local officials classified as Grade "27" and higher under the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989.

2. Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed by the public officials and employees mentioned in subsection "a"
of this section in relation to their office.

3. Civil and criminal cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A, (ill gotten wealth cases) issued in 1986 (Sec. 2,
R.A. 7975 as amended by R.A. 8249)

NOTE: The Sandiganbayan also exercises civil jurisdiction (Antiporda v. Garchitorena)

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 COURT OF TAX APPEALS

EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE
1. Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges,
penalties in relation thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal
Revenue;
2. Inaction by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other charges,
penalties in relations thereto, or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal
Revenue, where the National Internal Revenue Code provides a specific period of action, in which case the inaction shall be deemed a denial; (via
Petition for Review under Rule 42)
3. Decisions, orders or resolutions of the Regional Trial Courts in local tax cases originally decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their original
or appellate jurisdiction; (via Petition for Review under Rule 43)
4. Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for customs duties, fees or other money charges, seizure, detention or release
of property affected, fines, forfeitures or other penalties in relation thereto, or other matters arising under the Customs Law or other laws
administered by the Bureau of Customs (via Petition for Review under Rule 42)
5. Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction over cases involving the assessment and taxation
of real property originally decided by the provincial or city board of assessment appeals; (via Petition for Review under Rule 43)
6. Decisions of the Secretary of Finance on customs cases elevated to him automatically for review from decisions of the Commissioner of Customs
which are adverse to the Government under Section 2315 of the Tariff and Customs Code; (via Petition for Review under Rule 42)
7. Decisions of the Secretary of Trade and Industry, in the case of nonagricultural product, commodity or article, and the Secretary of Agriculture in the
case of agricultural product, commodity or article, involving dumping and countervailing duties under Section 301 and 302, respectively, of the Tariff
and Customs Code, and safeguard measures under Republic Act No. 8800, where either party may appeal the decision to impose or not to impose
said duties. (via Petition for Review under Rule 42)
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES
EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE
Over ALL criminal offenses arising from violations of the National Internal 1. Violations of the National Internal Revenue Code or Tariff and
Revenue Code or Tariff and Customs Code and other laws administered by Customs Code and other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal
the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs, where the Revenue or the Bureau of Customs originally decided by the regular
principal amount of taxes and fees, exclusive of charges and penalties court where the principal amount of taxes and fees is less than P 1
claimed is P 1 million and above. million pesos or no specified amount claimed.
2. Judgements and resolutions or orders of the RTC in tax cases originally
decided by them.

JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 7
3. Judgements, resolutions or orders of the RTC in the exercise of their
appellate jurisdiction over tax cases originally decided by the MeTC,
MTC and MCTC via a petition for review.
4. Tax collection cases
a. Over appeals from the judgments, resolutions or orders of the
Regional Trial Courts in tax cases originally decided by them,
in their respected territorial jurisdiction.
b. Over petitions for review of the judgments, resolutions or
orders of the Regional Trial Courts in the exercise of their
appellate jurisdiction over tax cases originally decided by the
MeTC, MTC and MCTC via a petition for review.

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 REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (Civil Cases)

ORIGINAL APPELLATE CONCURRENT

Original Regional Trial Courts shall exercise appellate With MTC

jurisdiction over ALL CASES decided by;
1. In the issuance of writs of certiorari, Cases involving enforcement or violations of
prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas a. Metropolitan Trial Courts environmental and other related laws, rules
corpus and injunction which may be enforced in b. Municipal Trial Courts, and and regulations (Sec. 2, Rule 1, A.M. No. 09-
any part of the respective regions; and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their respective
territorial jurisdictions 6-8-SC).

2. In actions affecting ambassadors and other

public ministers and consuls. With SC

Actions affecting ambassadors and other

Exclusive Original public ministers and consuls (Sec. 21[2], BP
129).
1. All civil actions in which the subject of the
litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation; With SC and CA

2. In all civil actions which involve the title to, or Certiorari, prohibition and mandamus
possession of, real property, or any interest against lower courts and bodies;
therein, where the assessed value EXCEEDS
P400,000.00 (RA 11567); Habeas corpus and quo warranto

EXCEPTION: Actions for forcible entry and With SC, SB, and CA
unlawful detainer, jurisdiction over which is
conferred upon the MTC;
Petition for issuance of writ of Amparo and
Writ of Habeas Data
3. All actions in admiralty and maritime
jurisdiction where the demand or claim
EXCEEDS P2, 000, 000 (RA 11576);
JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 9
4. All matters of probate, both testate and
intestate, where the gross value of the estate
EXCEEDS 2,000,000 (RA 11576);

5. ALL ACTIONS involving the contract of

marriage and marital relations;

6. All cases NOT within the exclusive jurisdiction

of any court, tribunal, person or body
exercising jurisdiction of any court, tribunal,
person or body exercising judicial or quasi-
judicial functions;

7. All civil actions and special proceedings falling

within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of
the Court of Agrarian Relations as now
provided by law; and

8. All other cases in which the demand, exclusive

of interest, damages of whatever kind,
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs
or the value of the property in controversy
EXCEEDS 2, 000,000 (RA 11576)

9. Cases involving devices or schemes employed

by or any acts of the board of directors,
business associates, its offices or partnership,
amounting to fraud or misrepresentation
which may be interest of the public and/or of
stockholders, partners, members of
associations or organizations (RA 8799, as
amended by PD 902 –A)

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10. Controversies arising out of intra-corporate or
partnership relations, between and among
stockholders, members or associates, between
any and all of them and the corporation,
partnership, or association of which they are
stockholders, members or associates
respectively, and between such corporation,
partnership or association and the state insofar
as it concerns their individual franchise or right
to exist as such entity (RA 8799, as amended
by PD 902 –A)

11. Controversies in ELECTION or APPOINTMENT

of directors, trustees, officers, or managers of
such corporations, partnerships, or
associations (RA 8799, as amended by PD 902
–A)

12. Petitions of corporations, partnerships or

associations to be declared in the STATE OF
SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS, in cases where
the corporation, partnership or association
possesses sufficient property to cover all its
debts but foresees the impossibility of meeting
them when the respectively due or in cases
where the corporation, partnership or
association has no sufficient assets to cover its
liabilities, but is under management of a
rehabilitation receiver or management
committee (RA 8799, as amended by PD 902 –
A

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 REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (Criminal Cases)

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL SPECIFIC CASES UNDER SPECIFIC EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE

LAWS

Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive
original jurisdiction in all criminal cases not within
the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or
body, EXCEPT those now falling under the
exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction of the
Sandiganbayan which shall hereafter be
exclusively taken cognizance of by the latter. (BP
129, Sec 20)
1. Libel All cases decided by lower courts in their
2. Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act respective territorial jurisdictions
3. Violations of Intellectual Property
4. Money Laundering Cases (where not covered
by Sandiganbayan)
5. Violations of Omnibus Election Code
6. Violation against Women and Children

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (Special Jurisdiction)

The Supreme Court may designate certain branches of the RTC to handle exclusively criminal cases, juvenile and domestic relations cases, agrarian cases,
urban land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies and agencies, and/or such other special cases as the Supreme Court
may determine in the interest of a speedy and efficient administration of justice (Secs. 20-23, B.P. 129).

REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (Family Courts)

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL
CIVIL CASES CRIMINAL CASES
1. Where one or more of the accused is/are below 18 years of age but not
1. Guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to minor; less than 9 years of age;
2. Adoption of children and its revocation; 2. When one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission
of the offense;

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3. Annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage and those relating to
marital status and property relations of spouses; and dissolution of
conjugal partnership of gains;
4. Support and/or acknowledgment;
5. Summary judicial proceedings under the Family Code of the Philippines;
6. 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
7. Constitution of the family home (Sec. 5, R.A. 8369).
3. Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as
amended; and
4. Violations of R.A. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; and
5. Cases of domestic violence against:
a. Women – involving acts of gender-based violence that result, or
likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or
suffering to women; another form of physical abuse such as
battering or threats and coercion which violate a woman’s
personhood, integrity and freedom of movement;
b. Children – which include the commission of all forms of abuse,
neglect, cruelty, exploitation, violence and discrimination and all
other conditions prejudicial to their development (Sec. 5, R.A.
8369).
JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 13
METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS (MeTC), MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS (MTC), MUNICIPAL
TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES (MTCC), AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS (MCTC)

EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL
CIVL CASES CRIMINAL CASES

1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings, 1. All offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 6 years
testate and intestate, including the grant of provisional remedies in irrespective of the amount of fine and regardless of other imposable
proper cases, where the value of the personal property, estate, or accessory or other penalties;
amount of the demand DOES NOT EXCEED TWO MILLION PESOS
(P2,000,000.00), exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, 2. In offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence
attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, and costs, the amount of which must where the imposable fine does not exceed P10,000 (Sec. 32, BP 129 as
be specifically alleged: Provided, That interest, damages of whatever kind, amended by R.A. 7691);
attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, and costs shall be included in the
determination of the filing fees: 3. Where the only penalty provided by law is a fine not exceeding P4,000
(Admin. Circular No.09-94, June 14, 1994); and
TOTALITY RULE: where there are several claims or causes of actions
between the same or different parties, embodied in the same complaint, 4. Those covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure:
the amount of the demand shall be totality of the claims in all the causes a. Violations of traffic laws, rules and regulations;
of action, irrespective of whether the causes of action arose out of the b. Violations of the rental law;
same or different transactions; (RA 11576) c. Violations of municipal or city ordinances;
d. All other criminal cases where the penalty is imprisonment not
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve title to, or exceeding 6 months and/or a fine of P 1,000 irrespective of other
possession of, real property, or any interest therein where the assessed penalties or civil liabilities arising therefrom.
value of the property or any interest therein DOES NOT EXCEED FOUR
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P400,000.00) exclusive on interest, 5. Violations of BP 22 (A.M. No. 00-11-01-SC);
damages of whatever kind, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses and
costs: Provided, That in cases of land not declared for taxation purposes, 6. All offenses committed by public officers and employees in relation to
the value of such property shall be determined by the assessed value of their office, and by private individuals charged as co-principals,
the adjacent lots.; accomplices or accessories, punishable with imprisonment not more than
6 years or where none of the a used holds a position classified as
Grade 27 and higher (Sec. 4, P.D. 1606 as amended by R.A. 8249).
JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 14
3. Exclusive original jurisdiction in admiralty and maritime actions where
the demand or claim DOES NOT EXCEED TWO MILLION PESOS
(P2,000,000.00); (RA 11576)

4. Inclusion or exclusion of voters (Sec. 138, BP 881);

5. Those covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure:

a. Forcible entry and unlawful detainer;
b. Other civil cases except probate where the total amount of the
plaintiffs’ claims does not exceed P2,000,000 (as amended by
A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC);
c. Cases for enforcement of barangay amicable settlement
agreements and arbitration award where the money claim
exceeds P1,000,000 (as amended by A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC);
d. Cases solely for the revival of judgment of any first level court (as
amended by A.M. No. 08-8-7-SC)

6. Those covered by the Rules on Small Claims, where the claim does not
exceed P200,000 exclusive of interest and costs (Revised Rules of
Procedure for Small Claims Cases as amended by En Banc Resolution
dated February 26, 2019, effective April 1, 2019, per OCA Circular No. 45-
2019 dated March 21, 2019).

DELEGATED JURISDICTION

Cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where:

a. There is no controversy or opposition;

b. Contested but the value does not exceed P100,000 (Sec. 34, BP 129, as amended by R.A. 7691).

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 BARANGAY CONCILIATION

WHERE TO FILE/VENUE

For disputes between residents of the same barangay in the said barangay
For disputes between residents of different but adjoining within the same city or municipality where any of the respondents reside at the election of
barangays and the parties agree to submit their differences the complainant
to amicable settlement
For disputes involving real property or any interest when in the barangay where the real property or larger portion thereof is situated
the parties thereto agree to submit their differences to
amicable settlement by an appropriate lupon therein
For disputes arising at the workplace where the contending in the barangay where such workplace or institution is located
parties are employed or at the institution where such
parties are enrolled for study

CIVIL CASES COVERED CRIMINAL CASES COVERED CASES EXCLUDED/NOT SUBJECT TO

AMICABLE SETTLEMENT

All disputes involving parties who actually reside When punishable by imprisonment of not more 1. Where one party is the government, or any
in the same city or municipality may be the than 1 year or fine of not more than P5,000 (Sec. subdivision or instrumentality
subject of the proceedings for amicable 408, LGC). 2. Where one party is a public officer or
settlement in the barangay and prior recourse employee, in performance of his official
thereto is a pre-condition before filing a complaint functions;
in court or any government offices. 3. Where the dispute involves real properties
located in different cities and municipalities,
unless agreed upon,
4. Any complaint by or against corporations,
partnership or juridical entities,
JURISDICTION OF COURTS | 16
5. Disputes involving parties who actually reside
in barangays of different cities or
municipalities, unless agreed upon
6. Offenses with maximum penalty of
imprisonment exceeding 1 year or a fine over
P5,000.00;
7. Offenses where there is no private offended
party;
8. Disputes where urgent legal action is
necessary to prevent injustice from being
committed or further continued, specifically
the following:
a. Criminal cases where accused is under
police custody or detention;
b. Petitions for habeas corpus;
c. Actions coupled with provisional
remedies;
d. Actions barred by the Statute of
Limitations.
9. Any class of disputes which the President may
determine in the interest of justice or upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Justice;
10. Dispute under the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Law (CARL)
11. Labor disputes or controversies arising from
employer-employee relations (Art. 226, Labor
Code, as amended;
12. Actions to annul judgment upon a
compromise which may be filed directly in
court;
13. Any class of disputes which the President may
determine in the interest of justice or upon the
recommendation of the Secretary of Justice
(Riano, 2016).

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