a. Regional Trial Courts (BP 129, as amended by RA 7691 and 11576)

Purpose of Distinction

The purpose of the distinction is to determine whether the action falls under the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court.

Note that all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation falls under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Court. (B.P. 129, Sec. 1(1)).

Functions of the Regional Trial Court

• Receive the application
• Assess the qualification of the prospective adopter
• Refer its findings, if favorable, to the Inter- Country Adoption Board [De Leon 340, 2015]

Regional Trial Court

• Exclusive Original Jurisdiction –
• The Regional Trial Court shall have jurisdiction over all criminal cases which are not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body and appeals from all cases decided by lower courts in their respective territorial jurisdiction.

Note: Those punishable by fine only (without imprisonment) amounting to more than P4,000.00 fall under the jurisdiction of the RTC.

• Over criminal cases specifically conferred by special laws:
• Libel and written defamation. Administrative Order No. 104-96, 1996, designated the RTC as a special court having jurisdiction in libel cases.
• Violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Regardless of its penalty, the jurisdiction falls within the Regional Trial Court designated as Drugs Court. (People v. Morales, G.R. No. 126623, 1997; RA. No. 9165, Sec. 90).
• But if the case involves a minor, the jurisdiction lies with the Family Courts. (R.A. 8369, §5)
• Violations of intellectual property rights. (A.M. No. 03-03-03-SC, 2003)
• Election offenses
• Jurisdiction over Money Laundering Cases (except those committed by public officers and private persons in conspiracy with such public persons falling under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan).
• Appellate Jurisdiction - Over all cases decided by the MTC within its territorial jurisdiction.
• Special Jurisdiction - Jurisdiction to handle exclusively criminal cases as designated by the Supreme Court.

Regional Trial Courts (RTC)

For Regional Trial Courts, the issuance of a writ of injunction is only enforceable within their respective regions. (Sec. 21, B.P. 129).

The RTC has no authority to restrain or enjoin acts being perpetrated or to be perpetrated outside the territorial boundaries of its region. (Acosta vs. Alvendia, G.R. No. L-14598, 1960)

Where the main action is the annulment of the action of the respondent and injunction is merely corollary, the trial court of locality where questioned act is to be implemented has jurisdiction. (Feria 2013, citing Decano vs. Edu, 99 G.R. No. L-30070, 1980)