Jurisdiction- Family Court

Question 1

Family Court- Exclusive Original- Civil

Answer 1

1. Petitions for guardianship, custody of children, habeas corpus in relation to minor;
2. Petitions for adoption of children and its revocation;
3. Complaints for annulment and declaration of nullity of marriage and those relating to marital status and property relations of spouses or those living together under different status and agreements; and petitions for dissolution of conjugal partnership of gains;
4. Petitions for support and/or acknowledgment;
5. Summary judicial proceedings under the Family Code of the Philippines;
6. Petitions for 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 other cases cognizable under P.D. No. 603, E.O. No. 56 (Series of 1986) and other related laws; and
7. Petitions for the constitution of the family home (rendered unnecessary by Art. 153, Family Code). (Sec. 5, R.A. No. 8369

Question 2

Family Court- Exclusive Original- Criminal

Answer 2

1. Where one or more of the accused is/are below 18 years of age but not less than 9 years of age;
2. When one or more of the victims is a minor at the time of the commission of the offense (R.A. No. 8369, Act Establishing the Family Courts);
3. Cases against minors cognizable under the Dangerous Drugs Act, as amended;
4. Violations of R.A. No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, as amended by R.A. No. 7658; 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; and other forms of physical abuse and coercion which violate a woman’s personhood, integrity and freedom of movement; and

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. No. 8369)