Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11576)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 11576 is to further expand the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts by amending certain provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 (The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980).
Regional Trial Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions involving title to or possession of real property where the assessed value exceeds Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (P400,000.00), except for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer cases.
Metropolitan and Municipal Trial Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction in civil actions where the value of the personal property, estate, or amount of demand does not exceed Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00), exclusive of interest, damages, attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs.
Regional Trial Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over admiralty and maritime actions where the demand or claim exceeds Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00).
The Regional Trial Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over probate matters where the gross value of the estate exceeds Two Million Pesos (P2,000,000.00).
Yes, the Supreme Court can adjust jurisdictional amounts to reflect extraordinary inflation or deflation, changes in land valuation, or to maintain the proportion of caseload between first and second level courts.
No, Republic Act No. 11576 applies prospectively to civil cases filed in the second and first level courts from the date of its effectivity.
If any provision is declared unconstitutional, it does not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions of the Act (Separability Clause).
In cases of land not declared for taxation purposes, the value of such property shall be determined based on the assessed value of adjacent lots.
They have exclusive original jurisdiction in civil actions involving title or possession of real property where the assessed value does not exceed Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (P400,000.00), exclusive of interest, damages, attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs.