C. Jurisdiction of Various Philippine Courts and Tribunals

Question 1

Supreme Court En Banc

Answer 1

1. All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law (Sec. 4(2),Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution); and
2. All other cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc (Ibid.);
3. All cases involving the constitutionality, application or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances and other regulations (Ibid.);
4. Cases where the required number of votes in a division is not obtained (Sec. 4(3), Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution);
5. Cases involving a modification or reversal of a doctrine or principle laid down previously in a decision rendered en banc (Ibid.);
6. Cases involving the discipline of judges of lower courts (Sec. 11, Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution); and
7. Contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice-president. (Sec. 4, Art. VII, 1987 Constitution)

Question 2

Civil Cases (Exclusive Original)

Answer 2

Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the following:

1. Court of Appeals;
2. Court of Tax Appeals;
3. Commission on Elections En Banc;
4. Commission on Audit;
5. Sandiganbayan.

NOTE: The certiorari jurisdiction of the SC has been rigorously streamlined, such as that Rule 65 admits cases based on the specific grounds provided therein. The Rule applies if there is no appeal or any other plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law. The independent action for certiorari will lie only if grave abuse of discretion is alleged and proven to exist. (Lagua v. CA, G.R. No. 173390, 27 Jun. 2012)

Question 3

SC Criminal (Exclusive Original)

Answer 3

Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the following:
1. Court of Appeals;
2. Sandiganbayan

Question 4

SC Appellate Civil

Answer 4

1. Petitions for review on certiorari against:
   a. CA;
   b. CTA en banc (Sec. 11, R.A. No. 9282) (2006 BAR);
   c. Sandiganbayan;
   d. RTC, in cases involving:

i. If no question of fact is involved and the case involves:
a) Constitutionality or validity of treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance or regulation;
b) Legality of tax, impost, assessments, or toll, or penalty in relation thereto; or
c) Cases in which jurisdiction of lower court is in issue;

ii. All cases in which only errors or questions of law are involved;

2. Special civil action of certiorari – filed within 30 days against the COMELEC/COA.

Question 5

SC Appellate Criminal

Answer 5

1. In cases where the CA imposes reclusion perpetua, life imprisonment or a lesser penalty, the judgment may be appealed to the SC by notice of appeal filed with the CA;
2. Automatic review for cases of death penalty rendered by the CA;

NOTE: Where the judgment also imposes a lesser penalty for offenses committed on the same occasion or which arose out of the same occurrence that gave rise to the more severe offense for which the penalty of death is imposed, and the accused appeals, the automatic review from the CA to the SC shall include such lesser offense.

3. Petition for review on certiorari (Rule 45) from the Sandiganbayan if penalty is less than death, life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua in criminal cases, and, in civil cases;
4. Notice of appeal from the Sandiganbayan if it imposes life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua or where a lesser penalty is imposed involving 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 of life imprisonment is imposed;
5. Automatic review of death penalty imposed by the Sandiganbayan in the exercise of its original jurisdiction;
6. Criminal cases from the Ombudsman are appealable to the Supreme Court (Sec. 14, R.A. No. 6770) (2006 BAR);
7. Automatic review whenever the Sandiganbayan, in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction, finds that the penalty of death, reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment should be imposed; and
8. Appeals from RTC in which only errors or questions of law are involved.

Question 6

SC Concurrent with CA CIVIL

Answer 6

1. Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the following:

a. NLRC under the Labor Code; NOTE: The petitions must first be filed with the CA; otherwise, they shall be dismissed (St. Martin Funeral Homes v. CA, G.R. No. 130866, 16 Sept. 1998).

b. Civil Service Commission;

c. Quasi-judicial agencies (should be filed 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)

Question 7

SC Concurrent with CA

Answer 7

Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against the RTC and lower courts.

Question 8

SC Concurrent with CA and RTC- Civil

Answer 8

1. Petitions for habeas corpus and quo warranto; and
2. Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition and mandamus against the lower courts or bodies

Question 9

SC Concurrent with CA and RTC- Criminal

Answer 9

Petitions for issuance of writs of certiorari,
prohibition and mandamus against the lower courts or bodies.

Question 10

Concurrent with CA, SB and RTC- Civil

Answer 10

1. Petitions for the issuance of writ of amparo; and
2. Petitions for writ of habeas data, where the action involves public data or government office.

Question 11

Concurrent with CA, SB and RTC- Criminal

Answer 11

Petitions for the issuance of writ of amparo and writ of habeas data.

Question 12

Concurrent with RTC- Civil

Answer 12

Actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls

Question 13

Concurrent with SB

Answer 13

Petitions for mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, injunctions and ancillary writs in aid of its appellate jurisdiction including quo warranto arising or that may arise in cases filed under E.O. Nos. 1, 2, 14 and 14-A.