[BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129, August 14, SEC. 5.

Succession to Office of Presiding

1981] Appellate Justice. - In case of a vacancy in
the Office of the Presiding Appellate Justice
AN ACT REORGANIZING THE JUDICIARY, or in the event of his absence or inability to
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND perform the powers, functions, and duties of
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. his office, the Associate Appellate Justice who
is first in precedence shall perform his
PRELIMINARY CHAPTER powers, functions, and duties until such
disability is removed, or another Presiding
SEC. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as Appellate Justice is appointed and has
"The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980." qualified.

SEC. 2. Scope. - The reorganization herein SEC. 6. Who presides over sessions of a
provided shall include the Court of Appeals, division. - If the Presiding Appellate Justice
the Courts of First Instance, the Circuit is present in any session of a division of the
Criminal Courts, the Juvenile and Domestic Court, he shall preside. In his absence, the
Relations Courts, the Courts of Agrarian Associate Appellate Justice attending such
Relations, the City Courts, the Municipal session who has precedence shall preside.
Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Courts.
SEC. 7. Qualifications. - The Presiding
Chapter I. THE INTERMEDIATE Appellate Justice and the Associate Appellate
APPELLATE COURT Justices shall have the same qualifications as
those provided in the Constitution for Justices
SEC. 3. Organization. - There is hereby of the Supreme Court.
created an Intermediate Appellate Court
which shall consist of a Presiding Appellate SEC. 8. Grouping of divisions. - Of the ten
Justice and forty-nine Associate Appellate (10) divisions of the Court, four (4) divisions,
Justices who shall be appointed by the to be known as Civil Cases Divisions, shall
President of the Philippines. The Presiding take cognizance of appeals in civil cases
Appellate Justice shall be so designated in his originating from the Regional Trial Courts;
appointment, and the Associate Appellate two (2) divisions, to be known as Criminal
Justices shall have precedence according to Cases Divisions, of appeals in criminal cases
the dates of their respective appointments, originating from the Regional Trial Courts;
or when the appointments of two or more of and four (4) divisions, to be known as Special
them shall bear the same date, according to Cases Divisions, of original actions or
the order in which their appointments were petitions, petitions for review, and appeals in
issued by the President. Any member who is all other cases, including those from
reappointed to the Court after rendering administrative agencies, except as provided
service in any other position in the in Section 9 hereof.
government shall retain the precedence to
which he was entitled under his original Except with respect to the Presiding
appointment, and his service in the Court Appellate Justice, the appointment of a
shall, to all intents and purposes, be member of the Court shall specifically
considered as continuous and uninterrupted. indicate whether it is for the Civil Cases
Divisions, the Criminal Cases Divisions, or
SEC. 4. Exercise of powers and the Special Cases Divisions of the Court. No
functions. - The Intermediate Appellate member of the Court appointed to any of the
Court shall exercise its powers, functions, three classes of divisions shall be assigned to
and duties, through ten (10) divisions, each any of the other classes of divisions, except
composed of five members. The Court may when authorized by the Supreme Court, upon
sit en banc only for the purpose of exercising recommendation of the Intermediate
administrative, ceremonial, or other non- Appellate Court en banc, if the exigencies of
adjudicatory functions. the service so require, but such transfer shall
in no case be for more than six (6)
months: Provided, however, That this
prohibition shall not apply if the transfer Supreme Court, upon its own initiative or
occurs by reason of a permanent vacancy in upon recommendation of the Presiding
the chairmanship of any division, in which Appellate Justice, may authorize a division of
case the Associate Appellate Justice who is the Court to hold sessions outside Manila,
next in precedence shall assume the periodically, or for such periods and at such
chairmanship. places as the Supreme Court may determine,
for the purpose of hearing and deciding
There shall be no seniority or precedence in cases.
rank among the divisions of the Court.
SEC. 11. Quorum. - A majority of the actual
SEC. 9. Jurisdiction. - The Intermediate members of the Court shall constitute a
Appellate Court shall exercise: quorum for its session en banc. Three
members shall constitute a quorum for the
1. Original jurisdiction to issue writs sessions of a division. The affirmative votes
of mandamus, of the majority of the members present shall
prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, be necessary to pass a resolution of the
and quo warranto, and auxiliary writs Court en banc. The affirmative votes of three
or processes, whether or not in aid of members of a division shall be necessary for
its appellate jurisdiction; the pronouncement of a decision, or final
resolution, which shall be reached in
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over consultation before the writing of the opinion
actions for annulment of judgments of by any member of the division.
Regional Trial Courts; and
A motion for reconsideration of its decision or
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final resolution shall be resolved by the Court
final judgments, decisions, resolutions, within ninety (90) days from the time it is
orders, or awards of Regional Trial submitted for resolution, and no second
Courts and quasi-judicial agencies, motion for reconsideration shall be
instrumentalities, boards, or entertained, unless the action upon the first
commissions, except those falling motion for reconsideration shall have
within the appellate jurisdiction of the resulted in a reversal or substantial
Supreme Court in accordance with the modification of the original decision or final
Constitution, the provisions of this Act, resolution. The second motion for
and of subparagraph (1) of the third reconsideration shall be resolved by the
paragraph and subparagraph (4) of Court within forty-five (45) days from the
the fourth paragraph of Section 17 of time it is submitted for resolution.
the Judiciary Act of 1948.
SEC. 12. Internal Rules. - The Court en
The Intermediate Appellate Court shall have banc is authorized to promulgate rules or
the power to try cases and conduct hearings, orders governing the constitution of the
receive evidence and perform any and all divisions and the assignment of Appellate
acts necessary to resolve factual issues Justices thereto, the distribution of cases,
raised in cases falling within its original and and other matters pertaining to the
appellate jurisdiction, including the power to operations of the Court or its divisions.
grant and conduct new trials or further Copies of such rules and orders shall be
proceedings. furnished the Supreme Court, which rules
and orders shall be effective fifteen (15)
These provisions shall not apply to decisions clays after receipt thereof, unless directed
and interlocutory orders issued under the otherwise by the Supreme Court.
Labor Code of the Philippines and by the
Central Board of Assessment Appeals. Chapter II. REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS

SEC. 10. Place of holding sessions. - The SEC. 13. Creation of Regional Trial
Intermediate Appellate Court shall have its Courts. - There are hereby created thirteen
permanent station in the City of Manila. (13) Regional Trial Courts, one for each of the
Whenever demanded by public interest, the following judicial regions:
 The First Judicial Region, consisting of The Eighth Judicial Region, consisting
the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, of the provinces of Eastern Samar, Leyte,
Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, and Northern Samar, Southern Leyte, and Samar,
Pangasinan, and the cities of Baguio, the sub-province of Biliran, and the cities of
Dagupan, Laoag, and San Carlos; Calbayog, Ormoc, and Tacloban;

The Second Judicial Region, consisting The Ninth Judicial Region, consisting of
of the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Ifugao, the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi,
Isabela, Kalinga-Apayao, Nueva Vizcaya, and Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del
Quirino; Sur, and the cities of Dapitan, Dipolog,
Pagadian, and Zamboanga;
The Third Judicial Region, consisting of
the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan (except the The Tenth Judicial Region, consisting of
municipality of Valenzuela), Nueva Ecija, the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan
Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales, and the del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis
cities of Angeles, Cabanatuan, Olongapo, Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao del
Palayan, and San Jose; Norte, and the cities of Butuan, Cagayan de
Oro, Gingoog, Ozamis, Oroquieta, Surigao,
The National Capital Judicial Region, and Tangub;
consisting of the cities of Manila, Quezon,
Pasay, and Caloocan, and the municipalities The Eleventh Judicial Region,
of Navotas, Malabon, San Juan, consisting of the provinces of Davao del
Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, South
Marikina, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Cotabato, and Surigao del Sur, and the cities
and Valenzuela; of Davao and General Santos; and

The Fourth Judicial Region, consisting The Twelfth Judicial Region, consisting
of the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, of the provinces of Lanao del Norte, Lanao
Marinduque, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro del Sur, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and
Oriental, Palawan, Quezon, Rizal (except the Sultan Kudarat, and the cities of Cotabato,
cities and municipalities embraced within the Iligan, and Marawi.
National Capital Judicial Region), Romblon,
and Aurora, and the cities of Batangas, In case of transfer or redistribution of the
Cavite, Lipa, Lucena, Puerto Princesa, San provinces, sub-provinces, cities or
Pablo, Tagaytay, and Trece Martires; municipalities comprising the regions
established by law for purposes of the
The Fifth Judicial Region, consisting of administrative field organization of the
the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, various departments and agencies of the
Camarines Norte, Catanduanes, Masbate, government, the composition of the judicial
and Sorsogon, and the cities of Legaspi, regions herein constituted shall be deemed
Naga, and Iriga; modified accordingly.

The Sixth Judicial Region, consisting of SEC. 14. Regional Trial Courts. -
the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo,
and Negros Occidental, and the cities of (a) Fifty-seven Regional Trial Judges shall be
Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, Iloilo, La Carlota, commissioned for the First Judicial Region.
Roxas, San Carlos, and Silay, and the sub- There shall be:
province of Guimaras ;
Two branches (Branches I and II) for the
The Seventh Judicial Region, consisting province of Abra, with seats at Bangued;
of the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros
Oriental, and Siquijor, and the cities of Bais, Eight branches (Branches III to X) for the
Canlaon, Cebu, Danao, Dumaguete, Lapu- province of Benguet and the city of Baguio,
Lapu, Mandaue, Tagbilaran, and Toledo; Branches III to VII with seats at Baguio City,
and Branches VIII to X at La Trinidad;
Nine branches (Branches XI to XIX) for the Two branches (Branches XXV and XXVI) for
province of Ilocos Norte and the city of the province of Kalinga-Apayao, Branch XXV
Laoag, Branches XI to XVI with seats at with seat at Tabuk, and Branch XXVI at Luna;
Laoag City, Branches XVII and XVIII at Batac,
and Branch XIX at Bangui; Four branches (Branches XXVII to XXX) for
the province of Nueva Vizcaya, Branches
Six branches (Branches XX to XXV) for the XXVII to XXIX with seats at Bayombong, and
province of Ilocos Sur, Branches XX and XXI Branch XXX at Bambang; and
with seats at Vigan, Branch XXII at Narvacan,
Branch XXIII at Candon, Branch XXIV at Two branches (Branches XXXI and XXXII) for
Cabugao, and Branch XXV at Tagudin; the province of Quirino, with seats at
Cabarroguis.
Nine branches (Branches XXVI to XXXIV) for
the province of La Union, Branches XXVI to (c) Seventy-five Regional Trial Judges shall be
XXX with seats at San Fernando, Branches commissioned for the Third Judicial Region.
XXXI and XXXII at Agoo, Branch XXXIII at There shall be:
Bauang, and Branch XXXIV at Balaoan;
Five branches (Branches I to V) for the
Two branches (Branches XXXV and XXXVI) for province of Bataan, Branches I to III with
the province of Mountain Province, with seats seats at Balanga, Branch IV at Mariveles, and
at Bontoc; and Branch V at Dinalupihan;

Twenty-one branches (Branches XXXVII to Seventeen branches (Branches VI to XXII) for

LVII) for the province of Pangasinan and the the province of Bulacan (except the
cities of Dagupan and San Carlos, Branches municipality of Valenzuela), with seats at
XXXVII to XXXIX with seats at Lingayen, Malolos;
Branches XL to XLIV at Dagupan, Branches
XLV to XLIX at Urdaneta, Branch L at Villasis, Eighteen branches (Branches XXIII to XL) for
Branches LI and LII at Tayug, Branch LIII at the province of Nueva Ecija and the cities of
Rosales, Branches LIV and LV at Alaminos, Cabanatuan, San Jose and Palayan, Branches
and Branches LVI and LVII at San Carlos. XXIII to XXX with seats at Cabanatuan City,
Branches XXXI to XXXIII at Guimba, Branches
(b) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be XXXIV to XXXVI at Gapan, Branch XXXVII at
commissioned for the Second Judicial Region. Sto. Domingo, Branches XXXVIII and XXXIX at
There shall be: San Jose, and Branch XL at Palayan;

Twelve branches (Branches I to XII) for the Twenty-two branches (Branches XLI to LXII)
province of Cagayan, Branches I to V with for the province of Pampanga and the city of
seats at Tuguegarao, Branches VI to X at Angeles, Branches XLI to XLVIII with seats at
Aparri, Branch XI at Tuao, and Branch XII at San Fernando, Branches XLIX to LIII at
Sanchez Mira; Guagua, Branches LIV and LV at Macabebe,
and Branches LVI to LXII at Angeles City;
One branch (Branch XIII) for the province of
Batanes, with seat at Basco; Six branches (Branches LXIII to LXVIII) for the
province of Tarlac, Branches LXIII to LXV with
Two branches (Branches XIV and XV) for the seats at Tarlac, Branch LXVI at Capas, Branch
province of Ifugao, Branch XIV with seat at LXVII at Paniqui, and Branch LXVIII at
Lagawe, and Branch XV at Potia; Camiling; and

Nine branches (Branches XVI to XXIV) for the Seven branches (Branches LXIX to LXXV) for
province of Isabela, Branches XVI to XVIII the province of Zambales and the city of
with seats at Ilagan, Branches XIX and XX at Olongapo, Branches LXIX to LXXI with seats
Cauayan, Branch XXI at Santiago, Branch at Iba and Branches LXXII to LXXV at
XXII at Cabagan, Branch XXIII at Roxas, and Olongapo City.
Branch XXIV at Echague;
(d) One hundred seventy-two Regional Trial City, Branch XXXIII at Siniloan, and Branches
Judges shall be commissioned for the XXXIV to XXXVII at Calamba;
National Capital Judicial Region. There shall
be: One branch (Branch XXXVIII) for the province
of Marinduque, with seat at Boac;
Eighty-two branches (Branches I to LXXXII)
for the city of Manila, with seats thereat; Five branches (Branches XXXIX to XLIII) for
the province of Mindoro Oriental, Branches
Twenty-five branches (Branches LXXXIII to XXXIX and XL with seats at Calapan,
CVII) for Quezon City, with seats thereat; Branches XLI and XLII at Pinamalayan, and
Branch XLIII at Roxas;
Twelve branches (Branches CVIII to CXIX) for
Pasay City, with seats thereat; Three branches (Branches XLIV to XLVI) for
the province of Mindoro Occidental, Branch
Twelve branches (Branches CXX to CXXXI) for XLIV with seat at Mamburao, and Branches
Caloocan City, with seats thereat; XLV and XLVI at San Jose;

Thirty-nine branches (Branches CXXXII to Six branches (Branches XLVII to LII) for the
CLXX) for the municipalities of Navotas, province of Palawan and the city of Puerto
Malabon, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Princesa, with seats at Puerto Princesa City;
Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, Marikina, Parañaque,
Las Pinas, and Muntinlupa, Branches CXXXII Thirteen branches (Branches LIII to LXV) for
to CL with seats at Makati, Branches CLI to the province of Quezon and the city of
CLXVIII at Pasig, and Branches CLXIX and Lucena, Branches LIII to LX with seats at
CLXX at Malabon; and Lucena City, Branches LXI and LXII at
Gumaca, Branch LXIII at Calauag, Branch
Two branches (Branches CLXXI and CLXXII) LXIV at Mauban, and Branch LXV at Infanta;
for the municipality of Valenzuela, with seats
thereat. One branch (Branch LXVI) for the province of
Aurora, with seat at Baler;
(e) Eighty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be
commissioned for the Fourth Judicial Region. Fourteen branches (Branches LXVII to LXXX)
There shall be: for the province of Rizal except the cities and
municipalities embraced within the National
Fourteen branches (Branches I to XIV) for the Capital Judicial Region, Branches LXVII to LXX
province of Batangas and the cities of Lipa with seats at Binangonan, Branches LXXI to
and Batangas, Branches I to IV with seats at LXXIV at Antipolo, Branches LXXV to LXXVII
Batangas City, Branch V at Lemery, Branches at San Mateo, and Branches LXXVIII to LXXX
VI to VIII at Tananan, Branches IX to XI at at Morong; and
Balayan, Branches XII and XIII at Lipa, and
Branch XIV at Nasugbu; Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII)
for the province of Romblon, Branch LXXXI
Nine branches (Branches XV to XXIII) for the with seat at Rom-blon, and Branch LXXXII at
province of Cavite and the cities of Cavite, Odiongan.
Tagaytay and Trece Martires, Branch XV with
seat at Naic, Branches XVI and XVII at Cavite (f) Fifty-five Regional Trial Judges shall be
City, Branch XVIII at Tagaytay City, Branch commissioned for the Fifth Judicial Region.
XIX at Bacoor, Branches XX to XXII at Imus, There shall be:
and Branch XXIII at Trece Martires;
Eighteen branches (Branches I to XVIII) for
Fourteen branches (Branches XXIV to XXXVII) the province of Albay and the city of Legaspi,
for the province of Laguna and the city of Branches I to X with seats at Legaspi City,
San Pablo, Branches XXIV and XXV with seats Branches XI to XIV at Ligao, and Branches XV
at Biñan, Branches XXVI to XXVIII at Sta. to XVIII at Tabaco;
Cruz, Branches XXIX to XXXII at San Pablo
Nineteen branches (Branches XIX to XXXVII) Kabankalan, Branch LXII at Bago City, and
for the province of Camarines Sur and the Branch LXIII at La Carlota City.
cities of Naga and Iriga, Branches XIX to
XXVIII with seats at Naga City, Branch XXIX (h) Forty-six Regional Trial Judges shall be
at Libmanan, Branch XXX at Tigaon, commissioned for the Seventh Judicial
Branches XXXI to XXXIII at Pili, and Branches Region. There shall be:
XXXIV to XXXVII at Iriga City;
Four branches (Branches I to IV) for the
Four branches (Branches XXXVIII to XLI) for province of Bohol and the city of Tagbilaran,
the province of Camarines Norte, with seats with seats at Tagbilaran City;
at Daet;
Twenty-five branches (Branches V to XXIX)
Two branches (Branches XLII and XLIII) for for the province of Cebu and the cities of
the province of Catanduanes, with seats at Cebu, Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and
Virac; Toledo, Branches V to XXIV with seats at
Cebu City, Branch XXV at Danao City, Branch
Seven branches (Branches XLIV to L) for the XXVI at Argao, Branch XXVII at Lapu-Lapu
province of Masbate, Branches XLIV to XLVIII City, Branch XXVIII at Mandaue City, and
with seats at Masbate, Branch XLIX at Branch XXIX at Toledo City;
Cataingan, and Branch L at San Jacinto; and
Sixteen branches (Branches XXX to XLV) for
Five branches (Branches LI to LV) for the the province of Negros Oriental and the cities
province of Sorsogon, Branches LI to LIII with of Dumaguete, Bais and Canlaon, Branches
seats at Sorsogon, Branch LIV at Gubat, and XXX to XLIV with seats at Dumaguete City,
Branch LV at Irosin. and Branch XLV at Bais City; and

(g) Sixty-three Regional Trial Judges shall be One branch (Branch XLVI) for the province of
commissioned for the Sixth Judicial Region. Siquijor, with seat at Larena.
There shall be:
(i) Thirty-three Regional Trial Judges shall be
Nine branches (Branches I to IX) for the commissioned for the Eighth Judicial Region.
province of Aklan, with seats at Kalibo; There shall be:

Four branches (Branches X to XIII) for the Five branches (Branches I to V) for the
province of Antique, Branches X to XII with province of Eastern Samar, Branches I and II
seats at San Jose, and Branch XIII at Culasi; with seats at Borongan, Branch III at Guiuan,
Branch IV at Dolores, and Branch V at Oras;
Eight branches (Branches XIV to XXI) for the
province of Capiz and the city of Roxas, Thirteen branches (Branches VI to XVIII) for
Branches XIV to XIX with seats at Roxas City the province of Leyte, the sub-province of
and Branches XX and XXI at Mambusao; Biliran, and the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban,
Branches VI to IX with seats at Tacloban City,
Eighteen branches (Branches XXII to XXXIX) Branch X at Abuyog, Branch XI at Calubian,
for the province of Iloilo, the sub-province of Branch XII at Ormoc City, Branch XIII at
Guimaras, and the city of Iloilo, with seats at Carigara, Branch XIV at Baybay, Branch XV
Iloilo City; and at Burauen, Branch XVI at Naval, Branch XVII
at Palompon, and Branch XVIII at Hilongos;
Twenty-four branches (Branches XL to LXIII)
for the province of Negros Occidental, and Five branches (Branches XIX to XXIII) for the
the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, La Carlota, province of Northern Samar, Branches XIX
San Carlos and Silay, Branch XL with seat at and XX with seats at Catarman, Branches XXI
Silay City, Branches XLI to LIV at Bacolod and XXII at Laoang, and Branch XXIII at Allen;
City, Branches LV and LVI at Himamaylan,
Branches LVII to LIX at San Carlos City, Three branches (Branches XXIV to XXVI) for
Branch LX at Cadiz City, Branch LXI at the province of Southern Leyte, Branches
XXIV and XXV with seats at Maasin, and Five branches (Branches XII to XVI) for the
Branch XXVI at San Juan; and province of Misamis Occidental and the cities
of Oroquieta, Ozamis, and Tangub, Branches
Seven branches (Branches XXVII to XXXIII) XII to XIV with seats at Oroquieta City,
for the province of Samar and the city of Branch XV at Ozamis City, and Branch XVI at
Calbayog, Branches XXVII to XXIX with seats Tangub City;
at Catbalogan, Branch XXX at Basey,
Branches XXXI and XXXII at Calbayog City, Eleven branches (Branches XVII to XXVII) for
and Branch XXXIII at Calbiga. the province of Misamis Oriental and the
cities of Cagayan de Oro and Gingoog,
(j) Twenty-four Regional Trial Judges shall be Branches XVII to XXV with seats at Cagayan
commissioned for the Ninth Judicial Region. de Oro City, Branch XXVI at Medina, and
There shall be: Branch XXVII at Gingoog City;

Two branches (Branches I and II) for the One branch (Branch XXVIII) for the province
province of Basilan, with seats at Isabela; of Camiguin, with seat at Mambajao; and

Two branches (Branches III and IV) for the Four branches (Branches XXIX to XXXII) for
province of Sulu, Branch III with seat at Jolo, the province of Surigao del Norte and the
and Branch IV at Parang; City of Surigao, Branches XXIX and XXX with
seats at Surigao City, Branch XXXI at Dapa,
One branch (Branch V) for the province of and Branch XXXII at Dinagat, Dinagat Island.
Tawi-Tawi, with seat at Bongao;
(l) Twenty-nine Regional Trial Judges shall be
Six branches (Branches VI to XI) for the commissioned for the Eleventh Judicial
province of Zamboanga del Norte and the Region. There shall be:
cities of Dipolog and Dapitan, Branches VI to
X with seats at Dipolog City, and Branch XI at Four branches (Branches I to IV) for the
Sindangan; and province of Davao del Norte, Branches I and
II with seats at Tagum, Branch III at
Thirteen branches (Branches XII to XXIV) for Nabunturan, and Branch IV at Panabo;
the province of Zamboanga del Sur and the
cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga, Branches Three branches (Branches V to VII) for the
XII to XVII with seats at Zamboanga City, province of Davao Oriental, Branches V and
Branches XVIII to XXII at Pagadian City, VI with seats at Mati and Branch VII at
Branch XXIII at Molave, and Branch XXIV at Baganga;
Ipil.
Fourteen branches (Branches VIII to XXI) for
(k) Thirty-two Regional Trial Judges shall be the province of Davao del Sur and the city of
commissioned for the Tenth Judicial Region. Davao, Branches VIII to XVII with seats at
There shall be: Davao City, Branches XVIII and XIX at Digos,
Branch XX at Malita, and Branch XXI at
Five branches ("Branches I to V) for the Bansalan;
province of Agusan del Norte and the city of
Butuan, with seats at Butuan City; Five branches (Branches XXII to XXVI) for the
province of South Cotabato and the city of
Two branches (Branches VI and VII) for the General Santos, Branches XXII and XXIII with
province of Agusan del Sur, Branch VI with seats at General Santos City, Branches XXIV
seat at Prosperidad and Branch VII with seat and XXV at Koronadal, and Branch XXVI at
at Bayugan; Surallah; and

Four branches (Branches VIII to XI) for the Three branches (Branches XXVII to XXIX) for
province of Bukidnon, Branches VIII to X with the province of Surigao del Sur, Branch XXVII
seats at Malaybalay and Branch XI at Manolo with seat at Tandag, Branch XXVIII at Lianga,
Fortich; and Branch XXIX at Bislig.
(m) Twenty Regional Trial Judges shall be which shall be his permanent station, and his
commissioned for the Twelfth Judicial Region. appointment shall state the branch of the
There shall be: court and the seat thereof to which he shall
be originally assigned. However, the
Seven branches (Branches I to VII) for the Supreme Court may assign temporarily a
province of Lanao del Norte and the city of Regional Trial Judge to another region as
Iligan, Branches 1 to VI with seats at Iligan public interest may require, provided that
City, and Branch VII at Tubod; such temporary assignment shall not last
longer than six (6) months without the
Five branches (Branches VIII to XII) for the consent of the Regional Trial Judge
province of Lanao del Sur and the city of concerned.
Marawi, Branches VIII to X with seats at
Marawi City, and Branches XI and XII at A Regional Trial Judge may be assigned by
Malabang; the Supreme Court to any branch or city or
municipality within the same region as public
Three branches (Branches XIII to XV) for the interest may require, and such assignment
province of Maguindanao and the city of shall not be deemed an assignment to
Cotabato, Branches XIII and XIV with seats at another station within the meaning of this
Cotabato City, and Branch XV at Maganoy ; section.

Three branches (Branches XVI to XVIII) for SEC. 18. Authority to define territory
the province of North Cotabato, Branch XVI appurtenant to each branch. - The
with seat at Kabacan, Branch XVII at Supreme Court shall define the territory over
Kidapawan. and Branch XVIII at Mid-sayap; which a branch of the Regional Trial Court
and shall exercise its authority. The territory thus
defined shall be deemed to be the territorial
Two branches (Branches XIX and XX) for the area of the branch concerned for purposes of
province of Sultan Kudarat, Branch XIX with determining the venue of all suits,
seat at Isulan, and Branch XX at Tacurong. proceedings or actions, whether civil or
criminal, as well as determining the
SEC. 15. Qualifications. - No person shall Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
be appointed Regional Trial Judge unless he Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts over
is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at which the said branch may exercise
least thirty-five years of age, and, for at least appellate jurisdiction. The power herein
ten years, has been engaged in the practice granted shall be exercised with a view to
of law in the Philippines or has held a public making the courts readily accessible to the
office in the Philippines requiring admission people of the different parts of the region
to the practice of law as an indispensable and making the attendance of litigants and
requisite. witnesses as inexpensive as possible.
SEC. 16. Time and duration of sessions. SEC. 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. -
- The time and duration of daily sessions of Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive
the Regional Trial Courts shall be determined original jurisdiction:
by the Supreme Court: Provided, however,
That all motions, except those requiring 1. In all civil actions in which the subject
immediate action, shall be heard in the of the litigation is incapable of
afternoon of every Friday, unless it falls on a pecuniary estimation;
holiday, in which case, the hearing shall be
held on the afternoon of the next succeeding 2. In all civil actions which involve the
business day: Provided, further, That the title to, or possession of, real property,
Supreme Court may, for good reasons, fix a or any interest therein, except actions
different motion day in specified areas. for forcible entry into and unlawful
detainer of lands or buildings, original
SEC. 17. Appointment and assignment jurisdiction over which is conferred
of Regional Tried Judges. - Every Regional upon Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Trial Judge shall be appointed to a region Municipal Trial
 Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial 2. In actions affecting ambassadors and
Courts; other public ministers and consuls.

3. In all actions in admiralty and SEC. 22. Appellate jurisdiction. - Regional

maritime jurisdiction where the Trial Courts shall exercise appellate
demand or claim exceeds twenty jurisdiction over all cases decided by
thousand pesos (P20,000.00) ; Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
4. In all matters of probate, both testate their respective territorial jurisdictions. Such
and intestate, where the gross value of cases shall be decided on the basis of the
the estate exceeds twenty thousand entire record of the proceedings had in the
pesos (P20,000.00); court of origin and such memoranda and/or
briefs as may be submitted by the parties or
5. In all actions involving the contract of required by the Regional Trial Courts. The
marriage and marital relations; decision of the Regional Trial Courts in such
cases shall be appealable by petition for
6. In all cases not within the exclusive review to the Intermediate Appellate Court
jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, which may give it due course only when the
person or body exercising judicial or petition shows prima facie that the lower
quasi-judicial functions; court has committed an error of fact or law
that will warrant a reversal or modification of
7. In all civil actions and special the decision or judgment sought to be
proceedings falling within the reviewed.
exclusive original jurisdiction of a
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court SEC. 23. Special jurisdiction to try
and of the Courts of Agrarian Relations special cases. - The Supreme Court may
as now provided by law; and designate certain branches of the Regional
Trial Courts to handle exclusively criminal
8. In all other cases in which the cases, juvenile and domestic relations cases,
demand, exclusive of interest and agrarian cases, urban land reform eases
costs or the value of the property in which do not fall under the jurisdiction of
controversy, amounts to more than quasi-judicial bodies and agencies, and/or
twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00). such other special cases as the Supreme
Court may determine in the interest of a
SEC. 20. Jurisdiction in criminal cases. - speedy and efficient administration of
Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive justice.
original jurisdiction in all criminal cases not
within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, SEC. 24. Special Rules of Procedure. -
tribunal or body, except those now falling Whenever a Regional Trial Court takes
under the exclusive and concurrent cognizance of juvenile and domestic relations
jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan which shall cases and/or agrarian cases, the special rules
hereafter be exclusively taken cognizance of of procedure applicable under present laws
by the latter. to such cases shall continue to be applied,
unless subsequently amended by law or by
SEC. 21. Original jurisdiction in other rules of court promulgated by the Supreme
cases. - Regional Trial Courts shall exercise Court.
original jurisdiction:
Chapter III. METROPOLITAN TRIAL
1. In the issuance of writs of certiorari, COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS,
prohibition, mandamus, quo AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS
warranto, habeas corpus and
injunction which may be enforced in SEC. 25. Establishment of Metropolitan
any part of their respective regions; Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and
and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. - There
shall be created a Metropolitan Trial Court in
each metropolitan area established by law, a
Municipal Trial Court in each of the other Five branches (Branches LXVIII to LXXII) for Pasig
cities or municipalities, and a Municipal with seats thereat; +12 (RA 10566)
Circuit Trial Court in each circuit comprising
such cities and/or municipalities as are One branch (Branch LXXIII) for Pateros with seat
grouped together pursuant to law. thereat;

SEC. 26. Qualifications. - No person shall One branch (Branch LXXIV) for Taguig with seat
be appointed judge of a Metropolitan Trial thereat; +3 (RA 10381)
Court, Municipal Trial Court, or Municipal
Circuit Trial Court unless he is a natural-born Two branches (Branches LXXV and LXXVI) for
citizen of the Philippines, at least 30 years of Marikina with seats thereat; +4 (RA 9424)
age, and, for at least five years, has been
engaged in the practice of law in the Two branches (Branches LXXVII and LXXVIII) for
Philippines, or has held a public office in the Parañaque with seats thereat; +5 (RA 9376)
Philippines requiring admission to the
practice of law as an indispensable requisite. One branch (Branch LXXIX) for Las Piñas with
seat thereat; +4 (RA 10522)
SEC. 27. Metropolitan Trial Courts of the
National Capital Region. - There shall be a One branch (Branch LXXX) for Muntinlupa with
Metropolitan Trial Court in the National
seat thereat; +5 (RA 10251)
Capital Region, to be known as the
Metropolitan Trial Court of Metro Manila,
Two branches (Branches LXXXI and LXXXII) for
which shall be composed of eighty-two (82)
Valenzuela with seats thereat; +3 (RA 10341)
branches. There shall be:
SEC. 28. Other Metropolitan Trial
Thirty branches (Branches I to XXX) for
Courts. - The Supreme Court shall constitute
the city of Manila with seats thereat;
Metropolitan Trial Courts in such other
metropolitan areas as may be established by
Thirteen branches (Branches XXXI to
law whose territorial jurisdiction shall be co-
XLIII) for Quezon City with seats thereat; +20
extensive with the cities and municipalities
(RA 10480)
comprising the metropolitan area.
Five branches (Branches XLIV to XLVIII)
Every Metropolitan Trial Judge shall be
for Pasay City with seats thereat; +5 (RA
appointed to a metropolitan area which shall
10711)
be his permanent station and his
Five branches (Branches XLIX to LIII) appointment shall state, the branch of the
for Caloocan City with seats thereat; +4 (RA court and the seat thereof to which he shall
9374) be originally assigned. A Metropolitan Trial
Judge may be assigned by the Supreme,
One branch (Branch LIV) for Navotas Court to any branch within said metropolitan
with seat thereat; +2 (RA 10299) area as the interest of justice may require,
and such assignment shall not be deemed an
Two branches (Branches LV and LVI) for assignment to another station within the
Malabon with seats thereat; +1 (RA 10520) meaning of this section.

Two branches (Branches LVII and LVIII) SEC. 29. Municipal Trial Courts in cities.
for San Juan with seats thereat; - In every city which does not form part of a
metropolitan area there shall be a Municipal
Two branches (Branches LIX and LX) Trial Court with one branch except as
for Mandaluyong with seats thereat; +11 (RA hereunder provided:
9848)
Two branches for Laoag City;
Seven branches (Branches LXI and LXVII) for
Makati with seats thereat; +6 (RA 10537) Four branches for Baguio City;

Three branches for Dagupan City;

 Five branches for Olongapo City; Three branches for Ozamis City;

Three branches for Cabanatuan City; Two branches for Dipolog City;

Two branches for San Jose City; Four branches for Zamboanga City;

Three branches for Angelen City; Two branches for Pagadian City;

Two branches for Cavite City; Five branches for Iligan City (RA 9305)

Two branches for Batangas City; Three branches for Calamba City. (RA
9308)
Three branches for San Pablo City; (RA
9252) Two branches for the Talisay City, Cebu
(RA 9375)
Three branches for Lipa City; (RA
9276) Five branches for Antipolo City (RA
9377[5], 10568[5])
Two branches for Lucena City;
Three branches for the City of San Jose
Three branches for Naga City; del Monte, Bulacan (RA 9450)

Two branches for Iriga City; Three branches for the Province of
Palawan to be stationed at Puerto Princesa
Three branches for Legaspi City; City (RA 10253)

Four branches for Roxas City; (RA Seven branches for Cagayan De Oro
9274) City; (RA 10254)

Ten branches for Iloilo City; (RA 9306) Fourteen branches for Cebu City (RA
10570)
Seven branches for Bacolod City;
Three branches for Lapu-Lapu City (RA
Two branches for Dumaguete City; 10578)

Two branches for Tacloban City; One branch for the City of Mabalacat,
Pampanga (RA 10694)
Eight branches for Cebu City;
Six branches for Baguio City (RA
Three branches for Mandaue City; 10696)
Four branches for Tagbilaran City; (RA SEC. 30. Municipal Trial Courts. – In each
9309) of the municipalities that are not comprised
within a metropolitan area and a municipal
Two branches for Surigao City; circuit there shall be a Municipal Trial Court
which shall have one branch, except as
Four branches for Butuan City; (RA hereunder provided:
9310)
Two branches for San Fernando, La
Five branches for Cagayan de Oro City; Union; Four branches for Tuguegarao;
Seven branches for Davao City; Three branches for Lallo, and two
branches for Aparri, both of Cagayan;
Three branches for General Santos
City; Two branches for Santiago, Isabela;
Two branches for Oroquieta City;
 Two branches each for Malolos, Every Municipal Circuit Trial Judge shall be
Meycauayan and Bulacan, all of Bulacan appointed to a municipal circuit which shall
Province; be his official station.

Four branches for San Fernando and The Supreme Court shall determine the city
two branches for Guagua, both of Pampanga; or municipality where the Municipal Circuit
Trial Court shall hold sessions.
Two branches for Tarlac, Tarlac;
SEC. 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan
Two branches for San Pedro, Laguna; Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and
and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in criminal
cases. - Except in cases falling within the
Two branches each for Antipolo and exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional Trial
Binangonan, both in Rizal. Courts and of the Sandiganbayan, the
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Two branches for Daet, Camarines Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
Norte; (RA 9449) shall exercise:

Two branches for Bacoor, Cavite; (RA 1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all
10454) violations of city or municipal
ordinances committed within their
Three branches for Imus City, Cavite; respective territorial jurisdiction; and
(RA 10454)
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all
Three branches for Dasmariñas City, offenses punishable with
Cavite (RA 10454) imprisonment of not exceeding four
years and two months, or a fine of not
One branch for Carmona, Cavite (RA more than four thousand pesos, or
10705) both such fine and imprisonment,
regardless of other imposable
One branch for General Mariano accessory or other penalties, including
Alvarez, Cavite (RA 10705) the civil liability arising from such
offenses or predicated thereon,
SEC. 31. Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. -
irrespective of kind, nature, value, or
There shall be a Municipal Circuit Trial Court
amount thereof: Provided, however,
in each area denned as a municipal circuit,
That in offenses involving damage to
comprising one or more cities and/ or one or
property through criminal negligence
more municipalities. The municipalities
they shall have exclusive original
comprising municipal circuits as organized
jurisdiction where the imposable fine
under Administrative Order No. 33, issued on
does not exceed twenty thousand
June 13, 1978 by the Supreme Court
pesos.
pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 537, are
hereby constituted as municipal circuits for SEC. 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan
purposes of the establishment of the Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in civil
appointments thereto of Municipal Circuit cases. - Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal
Trial Judges: Provided, however, That the Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
Supreme Court may, as the interests of shall exercise:
justice may require, further reorganize the
said courts taking into account workload, 1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil
geographical location, and such other factors actions and probate proceedings,
as will contribute to a rational allocation testate and intestate, including the
thereof, pursuant to the provisions of grant of provisional remedies in proper
Presidential Decree No. 537 which shall be cases, where the value of the personal
applicable insofar as they are not property, estate, or amount of the
inconsistent with this Act. demand does not exceed twenty
 thousand pesos exclusive of interest branches, the Supreme Court may designate
and costs but inclusive of damages of one or more branches thereof to try
whatever kind, the amount of which exclusively forcible entry and unlawful
must be specifically alleged: Provided, detainer cases, those involving violations of
That where there are several claims or traffic laws, rules and regulations, violations
causes of action between the same or of the rental law, and such other cases
different parties, embodied in the requiring summary disposition as the
same complaint, the amount of the Supreme Court may determine. The Supreme
demand shall be the totality of the Court shall adopt special rules or procedures
claims in all the causes of action, applicable to such cases in order to achieve
irrespective of whether the causes of an expeditious and inexpensive
action arose out of the same or determination thereof without regard to
different transactions; and technical rules. Such simplified procedures
may provide that affidavits and counter-
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over affidavits may be admitted in lieu of oral
cases of forcible entry and unlawful testimony and that the periods for filing
detainer: Provided, That when, in such pleadings shall be non-extendible.
cases, the defendant raises the
question of ownership in his pleadings SEC. 37. Preliminary investigation. -
and the question of possession cannot Judges of Metropolitan Trial Courts, except
be resolved without deciding the issue those in the National Capital Region, of
of ownership, the issue of ownership Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit
shall be resolved only to determine, Trial Courts shall have authority to conduct
the issue of possession. preliminary investigation of crimes alleged to
have been committed within their respective
SEC. 34. Delegated jurisdiction in territorial jurisdictions which are cognizable
cadastral and land registration cases. - by the Regional Trial Courts.
Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial
Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts may The preliminary investigation shall be
be assigned by the Supreme Court to hear conducted in accordance with the procedure
and determine cadastral or land registration prescribed in Section 1, paragraphs (a), (b),
cases covering lots where there is no (c), and (d), of Presidential Decree No.
controversy or opposition, or contested lots 911: Provided, however, That if after the
the value of which does not exceed twenty preliminary investigation the Judge finds
thousand pesos, such value to be a prima facie case, he shall forward the
ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant records of the case to the Provincial/City
or by agreement of the respective claimants Fiscal for the filing of the corresponding
if there are more than one, or from the information with the proper court.
corresponding tax declaration of the real
property. Their decisions in these cases shall No warrant of arrest shall be issued by the
be appealable in the same manner as Judge in connection with any criminal
decisions of the Regional Trial Courts. complaint filed with him for preliminary
investigation, unless after an examination in
SEC. 35. Special jurisdiction in certain writing and under oath or affirmation of the
cases. - In the absence of all the Regional complainant and his witnesses, he finds that
Trial Judges in a province or city, any a probable cause exists.
Metropolitan Trial Judge, Municipal Trial
Judge, Municipal Circuit Trial Judge may hear Any warrant of arrest issued in accordance
and decide petitions for a writ of habeas herewith may be served anywhere in the
corpus or applications for bail in criminal Philippines.
cases in the province or city where the
absent Regional Trial Judges sit. SEC. 38. Judgments and processes. - (1)
All judgments determining the merits of
SEC. 36. Summary procedures in special cases shall be in writing, stating clearly the
cases. - In Metropolitan Trial Courts and facts and the law on which they were based,
Municipal Trial Courts with at least two signed by the Judge and filed with the Clerk
of Court. Such judgment shall be appealable guidelines set forth in Letter of
to the Regional Trial Courts in accordance Implementation No. 93 pursuant to
with the procedure now prescribed by law for Presidential Decree No. 985, as amended by
appeals to the Court of First Instance, by the Presidential Decree No. 1597.
provisions of this Act, and by such rules as
the Supreme Court may hereafter prescribe. SEC. 42. Longevity pay. - A monthly
longevity pay equivalent to 5% of the
(2) All processes issued by the Metropolitan monthly basic pay shall be paid to the
Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Justices and Judges of the courts herein
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, in cases falling created for each five years of continuous,
within their jurisdiction, may be served efficient, and meritorious service rendered in
anywhere in the Philippines without the the judiciary: Provided, That in no case shall
necessity of certification by the Judge of the the total salary of each Justice or Judge
Regional Trial Court. concerned, after this longevity pay is added,
exceed the salary of the Justice or Judge next
Chapter IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS in rank.

SEC. 39. Appeals. - The period for appeal SEC. 43. Staffing pattern. - The Supreme
from final orders, resolutions, awards, Court shall submit to the President, within
judgments, or decisions of any court in all thirty (30) days from the date of the
cases shall be fifteen (15) days counted from effectivity of this Act, a staffing pattern for all
the notice of the final order, resolution, courts constituted pursuant to this Act which
award, judgment, or decision appealed shall be the basis of the implementing order
from: Provided, however, that in habeas to be issued by the President in accordance
corpus cases, the period for appeal shall be with the immediately succeeding section.
forty-eight (48) hours from the notice of the
judgment appealed from. SEC. 44. Transitory provisions. - The
provisions of this Act shall be immediately
No record on appeal shall be required to take carried out in accordance with an Executive
an appeal. In lieu thereof, the entire original Order to be issued by the President. The
record shall be transmitted with all the pages Court of Appeals, the Courts of First Instance,
prominently numbered consecutively, the Circuit Criminal Courts, the Juvenile and
together with an index of the contents Domestic Relations Courts, the Courts of
thereof. Agrarian Relations, the City Courts, the
Municipal Courts, and the Municipal Circuit
This section shall not apply in appeals in Courts shall continue to function as presently
special proceedings and in other cases constituted and organized, until the
wherein multiple appeals are allowed under completion of the reorganization provided in
applicable provisions of the Rules of Court. this Act as declared by the President. Upon
such declaration, the said courts shall be
SEC. 40. Form of decision in appealed deemed automatically abolished and the
cases. - Every decision or final resolution of incumbents thereof shall cease to hold office.
a court in appealed cases shall clearly and The cases pending in the old Courts shall be
distinctly state the findings of fact and the transferred to the appropriate Courts
conclusions of law on which it is based, which constituted pursuant to this Act, together
may be contained in the decision or final with the pertinent functions, records,
resolution itself, or adopted by reference equipment, property and the necessary
from those set forth in the decision, order, or personnel.
resolution appealed from.
The applicable appropriations shall likewise
SEC. 41. Salaries. - Intermediate Appellate be transferred to the appropriate courts
Justices, Regional Trial Judges, Metropolitan constituted pursuant to this Act, to be
Trial Judges, Municipal Trial Judges, and augmented as may be necessary from the
Municipal Circuit Trial Judges shall receive funds for organizational changes as provided
such compensation and allowances as may in Batas Pambansa Blg. 80. Said funding shall
be authorized by the President along the
thereafter be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 45. Shari’a Courts. - Shari'a Courts to

be constituted as provided for in Presidential
Decree No. 1083, otherwise known as the
"Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the
Philippines", shall be included in the funding
appropriations so provided in this Act.

SEC. 46. Gratuity of judges and

personnel separated from office. - All
members of the judiciary and subordinate
employees who shall be separated from
office by reason of the reorganization
authorized herein, shall be granted a gratuity
at a rate equivalent to one month's salary for
every year of continuous service rendered in
any branch of the government or equivalent
nearest fraction thereof favorable to them on
the basis of the highest salary
received: Provided, That such member of the
judiciary or employee shall have the option
to retire under the Judiciary Retirement Law
or general retirement law, if he has met or
satisfied the requirements therefor.

SEC. 47. Repealing clause. - The

provisions of Republic Act No. 296, otherwise
known as the Judiciary Act of 1948, as
amended, of Republic Act No. 5179, as
amended, of the Rules of Court, and of all
other statutes, letters of instructions and
general orders or parts thereof, inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or accordingly modified.

SEC. 48. Date of effectivity. - This Act

shall take effect immediately.