Regional Trial Court

The Regional Trial Courts (RTC) are the highest trial courts in the Philippines.

History

It was formerly called as the Court of First Instance since the Spanish era. It continued throughout its colonization under Spanish and Americans.[1] After the Independence from the United States, Republic Act No. 296 or Judiciary Act of 1948 was enacted to reinforce its jurisdictional powers of the Court of First Instance. Under its law, it has the power to try civil and criminal cases, as well as appeals from the decisions made by the municipality and city Justice of the Peace courts.[2]

However, there were numerous cases (both civil and criminal) yet to resolved or being delayed for years due to its nature. In addition, there were special courts made to try specialized cases like criminal, agricultural, and family to decongest cases, which unfortunately ended up complicating the judiciary system. Therefore, the Interim Batasang Pambansa has passed Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, which reorganized the lower and intermediate courts in the country, which include the change of Court of First Instance to Regional Trial Court.

Jurisdiction

Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, and Republic Act No. 7691, or An Act Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts of 1994, as amended, gave the RTCs the following jurisdiction:[3][4]

Civil

(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;

(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein, where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000,00) or, for civil actions in Metro Manila, where such value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.

(3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila, where such demand or claim exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).

(4) In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate exceeds One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila, where such gross value exceeds Two Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).

(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations.

(6) In 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) In 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.

(8) In 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 One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in such other cases in Metro Manila, where the demand exclusive of the abovementioned items exceeds Two Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).

Criminal

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. RTC Criminal Courts typically try cases of serious crimes like murder and robbery, as opposed to petty crimes, which reduce the burden of court cases.

Original and Special Jurisdiction

Regional Trial Courts shall exercise original jurisdiction:

(1) In the issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, habeas corpus and injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions.

(2) In actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls.

The Supreme Court may designate certain branches of the Regional Trial Courts 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.

Appeals from lower courts

Regional Trial Courts shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in their respective territorial jurisdictions. Such cases shall be decided on the basis of the entire record of the proceedings had in the court of origin and such memoranda and/or briefs as may be submitted by the parties or required by the Regional Trial Courts. The decision of the Regional Trial Courts in such cases shall be appealable by petition for review to the Court of Appeals which may give it due course only when the petition shows prima facie that the lower court has committed an error of fact or law that will warrant a reversal or modification of the decision or judgment sought to be reviewed.

List

Pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 or Judicial Reorganization Act of 1980, each province or city (in case of Metro Manila cities and other Philippine cities, chartered by law) should have a Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch. The Congress can make another RTC branch, when necessary by a Republic Act.

Summary

Judicial Region Branches Jurisdictions Map
National Capital 281 Metro Manila
First 70 Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province
Second 38 Cagayan Valley, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga
Third 75 Central Luzon
Fourth 96 CALABARZON, MIMAROPA
Fifth 65 Bicol Region
Sixth 68 Western Visayas
Seventh 66 Central Visayas
Eighth 41 Eastern Visayas
Ninth 31 Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi
Tenth 44 Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte
Eleventh 51 Davao Region, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Surigao del Sur
Twelfth 26 Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat
Philippines 952

Luzon

National Capital Judicial Region

City/Town Branches Location
Manila Branch 1 to 55, 173 Manila
Quezon City Branch 76 to 107, 215 to 227 Quezon City
Pasay Branch 108 to 119, 231 Pasay
Caloocan Branch 120 to 131 Caloocan
Makati Branch 56 to 66, 132 to 150 Makati
Pasig Branch 67 to 71, 151 to 167, 261 to 271 Pasig
Malabon Branch 72 to 74, 169 to 170 Malabon
Marikina Branch 156, 165, 168, 192 to 193, 263, 272 to 273 Marikina
Mandaluyong Branch 208 to 214, 277 to 281 Mandaluyong
Parañaque Branch 194 to 196, 257 to 260, 274 Parañaque
Las Piñas Branch 197 to 202, 253 to 255, 275 Las Piñas
Muntinlupa Branch 203 to 207, 256, 276 Muntinlupa
Valenzuela Branch 75, 171 to 172, 269 to 270 Valenzuela

First Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Abra Branch 1 to 2 Bangued
Abra Branch 58 Bucay
Benguet Branch 3 to 7, 59 to 61 Baguio
Benguet Branch 8 to 10, 62 to 63 La Trinidad
Benguet Branch 64 Buguias
Ilocos Norte Branch 11 to 16, 65 Laoag
Ilocos Norte Branch 17 to 18 Batac
Ilocos Norte Branch 19 Bangui
Ilocos Sur Branch 20 to 21 Vigan
Ilocos Sur Branch 22, 72 Narvacan
Ilocos Sur Branch 23, 71 Candon
Ilocos Sur Branch 24 Cabugao
Ilocos Sur Branch 25 Tagudin
La Union Branch 26 to 30, 66 San Fernando
La Union Branch 31 to 32 Agoo
La Union Branch 33, 67 Bauang
La Union Branch 34 Balaoan
Mountain Province Branch 35 to 36 Bontoc
Pangasinan Branch 37 to 39, 68 to 69 Lingayen
Pangasinan Branch 40 to 44 Dagupan
Pangasinan Branch 45 to 49 Urdaneta
Pangasinan Branch 50 Villasis
Pangasinan Branch 51 to 52 Tayug
Pangasinan Branch 53 Rosales
Pangasinan Branch 54 to 55 Alaminos
Pangasinan Branch 56 to 57 San Carlos
Pangasinan Branch 70 Burgos

Second Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Cagayan Branch 1 to 5 Tuguegarao
Cagayan Branch 6 to 10 Aparri
Cagayan Branch 11 Tuao
Cagayan Branch 12 Sanchez-Mira
Cagayan Branch 33 Ballesteros
Batanes Branch 13 Basco
Ifugao Branch 14 Lagawe
Ifugao Branch 15 Alfonso Lista
Ifugao Branch 34 Banaue
Isabela Branch 16 to 18 Ilagan
Isabela Branch 19 to 20 Cauayan
Isabela Branch 21, 35 to 36 Santiago
Isabela Branch 22 Cabagan
Isabela Branch 23 Roxas
Isabela Branch 24 Echague
Kalinga Branch 25 Tabuk
Apayao Branch 26 Luna
Nueva Vizcaya Branch 27 to 29 Bayombong
Nueva Vizcaya Branch 30, 37 Bambang
Quirino Branch 31 to 32 Cabarroguis
Quirino Branch 38 Maddela

Third Judicial Region[5]

Province Branches Location
Aurora Branch 66, 91 Baler
Bataan Branch 1 to 3, 6 to 7 Balanga
Bataan Branch 4, 8 to 9 Mariveles
Bataan Branch 5, 10 Dinalupihan
Bulacan Branch 6 to 22, 76 to 85 Malolos
Nueva Ecija Branch 23 to 30, 86 Cabanatuan
Nueva Ecija Branch 31 to 33 Guimba
Nueva Ecija Branch 34 to 36, 87 Gapan
Nueva Ecija Branch 37, 88 to 89 Santo Domingo
Nueva Ecija Branch 38 to 39 San Jose
Nueva Ecija Branch 40 Palayan
Pampanga Branch 41 to 48 San Fernando
Pampanga Branch 49 to 53 Guagua
Pampanga Branch 54 to 55 Macabebe
Pampanga Branch 56 to 62 Angeles
Tarlac Branch 63 to 65 Tarlac City
Tarlac Branch 66 Capas
Tarlac Branch 67 Paniqui
Tarlac Branch 68 Camiling
Zambales Branch 69 to 71 Iba
Zambales Branch 72 to 75 Olongapo

Fourth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Batangas Branch 1 to 4, 7 to 8, 84 Batangas City
Batangas Branch 5 Lemery
Batangas Branch 6, 83 Tanauan
Batangas Branch 9 to 11 Balayan
Batangas Branch 12 to 13, 85 Lipa
Batangas Branch 14 Nasugbu
Batangas Branch 86 Taal
Batangas Branch 5 Rosario
Cavite Branch 15 Naic
Cavite Branch 16 to 17, 88 Cavite City
Cavite Branch 18 Tagaytay
Cavite Branch 19, 89 Bacoor
Cavite Branch 20 to 22 Imus
Cavite Branch 23 Trece Martires
Cavite Branch 90 Dasmariñas
Laguna Branch 24 to 25 Biñan
Laguna Branch 26 to 28 Sta. Cruz
Laguna Branch 29 to 32 San Pablo
Laguna Branch 33 Siniloan
Laguna Branch 34 to 37, 92 Calamba
Laguna Branch 31, 93 San Pedro
Marinduque Branch 38, 94 Boac
Occidental Mindoro Branch 44 Mamburao
Occidental Mindoro Branch 45 to 46 San Jose
Oriental Mindoro Branch 39 to 40 Calapan
Oriental Mindoro Branch 41 to 42 Pinamalayan
Oriental Mindoro Branch 43 Roxas
Palawan Branch 47 to 52, 92 Puerto Princesa
Palawan unorganized Coron
Palawan unorganized Brooke's Point
Quezon Branch 53 to 60 Lucena
Quezon Branch 61 to 62 Gumaca
Quezon Branch 63 Calauag
Quezon Branch 64 Mauban
Quezon Branch 65 Infanta
Quezon Branch 96 Catanauan
Rizal Branch 67 to 70 Binangonan
Rizal Branch 71 to 74, 95 to 98 Antipolo
Rizal Branch 75 to 77 San Mateo
Rizal Branch 78 to 80 Morong
Romblon Branch 81 to 82 Romblon

Fifth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Albay Branch 1 to 10 Legazpi
Albay Branch 11 to 14 Ligao
Albay Branch 15 to 18 Tabaco
Camarines Norte Branch 38 to 41 Daet
Camarines Norte Branch 64 Labo
Camarines Sur Branch 19 to 28, 61 to 62 Naga
Camarines Sur Branch 29, 56 to 57 Libmanan
Camarines Sur Branch 31 to 33 Pili
Camarines Sur Branch 34 to 37 Iriga
Camarines Sur Branch 30 San Jose
Camarines Sur Branch 58 Tigaon
Camarines Sur Branch 63 Calabanga
Catanduanes Branch 42 to 43 Virac
Masbate Branch 44 to 48 Masbate City
Masbate Branch 49 Cataingan
Masbate Branch 50 San Jacinto
Sorsogon Branch 51 to 53 Sorsogon City
Sorsogon Branch 54 Gubat
Sorsogon Branch 55 Irosin
Sorsogon Branch 65 Bulan

Visayas

Sixth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Aklan Branch 1 to 9 Kalibo
Antique Branch 10 to 12 San Jose
Antique Branch 13 Culasi
Antique Branch 64 Bugasong
Capiz Branch 14 to 19 Roxas City
Capiz Branch 20 to 21 Mambusao
Iloilo Branch 22 to 39 Iloilo City
Iloilo Branch 66 Barotac Nuevo
Iloilo Branch 67 Guimbal
Iloilo Branch 68 Dumangas
Guimaras Branch 65 Jordan
Negros Occidental Branch 40, 69 Silay
Negros Occidental Branch 41 to 54 Bacolod
Negros Occidental Branch 55 to 56 Himamlayan
Negros Occidental Branch 57 to 59 San Carlos
Negros Occidental Branch 60 Cadiz
Negros Occidental Branch 61 Kabankalan
Negros Occidental Branch 62 Bago
Negros Occidental Branch 63 La Carlota

Seventh Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Bohol Branch 1 to 4, 47 to 49 Tagbilaran
Bohol Branch 50 Loay
Bohol Branch 51 Carmen
Bohol Branch 52 Talibon
Cebu Branch 5 to 24, 57 to 58 Cebu City
Cebu Branch 25 Danao
Cebu Branch 26 Argao
Cebu Branch 27, 53 to 54 Lapu-Lapu City
Cebu Branch 28, 55 to 56 Mandaue
Cebu Branch 29, 59 Toledo
Cebu Branch 60 Barili
Cebu Branch 61 Bogo
Cebu Branch 62 Oslob
Cebu Branch 65 to 66 Talisay
Negros Oriental Branch 30 to 42, 44 Dumaguete
Negros Oriental Branch 43 Tanjay
Negros Oriental Branch 45 Bais
Negros Oriental Branch 63 Bayawan
Negros Oriental Branch 64 Guihulngan
Siquijor Branch 46 Larena

Eighth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Biliran Branch 16 Naval
Biliran Branch 37 Caibiran
Eastern Samar Branch 1 to 2 Borongan
Eastern Samar Branch 3 Guiuan
Eastern Samar Branch 4 Dolores
Eastern Samar Branch 5 Oras
Eastern Samar Branch 42 Balangiga
Leyte Branch 6 to 9, 34, 43 to 44 Tacloban
Leyte Branch 10 Abuyog
Leyte Branch 11 Calubian
Leyte Branch 12, 35 Ormoc
Leyte Branch 13, 36 Carigara
Leyte Branch 14 Baybay
Leyte Branch 15 Burauen
Leyte Branch 17 Palompon
Leyte Branch 18 Hilongos
Northern Samar Branch 19 to 20 Catarman
Northern Samar Branch 21 Catarman
Northern Samar Branch 23 Allen
Northern Samar Branch 38 Gamay
Samar Branch 27 to 29 Catbalogan
Samar Branch 30 Basey
Samar Branch 31 to 32 Calbayog
Samar Branch 33 Calbiga
Samar Branch 40 Tarangnan
Samar Branch 41 Gandara

Mindanao

Ninth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Basilan Branch 1 to 2 Isabela
Sulu Branch 3 Jolo
Sulu Branch 4 Parang
Sulu Branch 25 Siasi
Tawi-Tawi Branch 5 Bongao
Tawi-Tawi Branch 26 Sapa-Sapa
Zamboanga del Norte Branch 6 to 10 Dipolog
Zamboanga del Norte Branch 11 Sindangan
Zamboanga del Norte Branch 27 Siocon
Zamboanga del Norte Branch 28 Liloy
Zamboanga del Sur Branch 12 to 17 Zamboanga City
Zamboanga del Sur Branch 18 to 22 Pagadian
Zamboanga del Sur Branch 23 Molave
Zamboanga del Sur Branch 29 San Miguel
Zamboanga del Sur Branch 30 Aurora
Zamboanga Sibugay Branch 24 Ipil
Zamboanga Sibugay Branch 31 Imelda

Tenth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Agusan del Norte Branch 1 to 5, 33 Butuan
Agusan del Norte Branch 34 Cabadbaran
Agusan del Sur Branch 6 Prosperidad
Agusan del Sur Branch 7 Bayugan
Bukidnon Branch 8 to 10 Malaybalay
Bukidnon Branch 11 Manolo Fortich
Camiguin Branch 28 Mambajao
Misamis Occidental Branch 12 to 14 Oroquieta
Misamis Occidental Branch 15, 35 Ozamiz
Misamis Occidental Branch 16 Tangub
Misamis Occidental Branch 36 Calamba
Misamis Oriental Branch 17 to 25, 37 to 41 Cagayan de Oro
Misamis Oriental Branch 26, 42 Medina
Misamis Oriental Branch 27, 43 Gingoog
Misamis Oriental Branch 44 Initao
Surigao del Norte Branch 29 to 30 Surigao City
Surigao del Norte Branch 31 Dapa
Surigao del Norte Branch 32 Dinagat

Eleventh Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Davao del Norte Branch 1 to 2, 30 to 31 Tagum
Davao del Norte Branch 4, 34 Panabo
Compostela Valley Branch 3 Nabunturan
Davao del Sur Branch 8 to 17, 33 Davao City
Davao del Sur Branch 18 to 20 Digos
Davao del Sur Branch 21 Bansalan
Davao Oriental Branch 5 to 6 Mati
Davao Oriental Branch 7 Baganga
Davao Oriental Branch 32 Lupon
Sarangani Branch 38, 47 to 51 Alabel
South Cotabato Branch 22 to 23, 35 to 37 General Santos
South Cotabato Branch 24 to 25, 42 to 43 Koronadal
South Cotabato Branch 26, 44 to 45 Surallah
South Cotabato Branch 39 Polomolok
Surigao del Sur Branch 27, 40 Tandag
Surigao del Sur Branch 28 Lianga
Surigao del Sur Branch 29 Bislig
Surigao del Sur Branch 41 Cantilan

Twelfth Judicial Region

Province Branches Location
Cotabato Branch 16, 22 Kabacan
Cotabato Branch 17, 23 Kidapawan
Cotabato Branch 18, 24 Midsayap
Lanao del Norte Branch 1 to 6 Iligan
Lanao del Norte Branch 7 Tubod
Lanao del Norte Branch 21 Kapatagan
Lanao del Sur Branch 8 to 10 Marawi
Lanao del Sur Branch 11 to 12 Malabang
Lanao del Sur Branch 26 Wao
Maguindanao Branch 13 to 14 Cotabato City
Maguindanao Branch 15 Shariff Aguak
Sultan Kudarat Branch 19 Isulan
Sultan Kudarat Branch 20 Tacurong
Sultan Kudarat Branch 25 Kalamansig

References