Should one branch be permitted to equally assert, assume, or retain jurisdiction over a case in controversy over which another coordinate or co-equal branch has already assumed jurisdiction, then that would be sanctioning undue interference by one branch over another. With that, judicial stability stability would be meaningless precept in a well-ordered administration of justice [Parcon vs. CA, 111 SCRA 262]. DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL STABILITY:
JURISDICTION OF METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS: 1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances committed within their respective territorial jurisdiction; and 2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years irrespective of the amount of fine, and regardless of other imposable accessory or other penalties, including the civil liability arising from such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of the kind, nature, value or amount therof; provided, however, that in offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence, they shall have exclusive original jurisdiction thereof. [Sec. 2, RA 7691]. JURISDICTION OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS (RTC): 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 P20,000, or for civil actions in Metro Manila where such value exceeds P50,000 except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the MeTC, MTC, and MCTC; 3. In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds P200,00, or in Metro Manila where such demand or claim exceeds P400,00; 4. In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value o f the estate exceeds P200,00 or probate mattes in Metro Manila where such value exceeds P400,000; 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 juridicial or quasi-judicial functions; 7. In all civil actions and civil 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; and 8. In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest and damages of whatever kind, kind, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, and cost or the value of the property in controversy exceeds P200,000, or in such other cases in Metro Manila where the demand, exclusive of the above-mentioned items exceeds P400,000. JURISDICTION OF COURT OF APPEALS (CA):
1. Original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo warranto, and auxiliary writs or processes, whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction; 2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgments of RTCs; 3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments, decisions, resolutions, orders, or awards of RTCs and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards, or omissions, except those falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the Constitution, the provisions of the Judiciary Act of 1948; 4. The CA shall have the power to receive evidence and perform any and all acts necessary to resolve factual issues raised in (a) cases falling within its original jurisdiction, such as actions for annulment of judgments of RTCs, (b) cases falling within its appellate jurisdiction where a motion for new trial based only on newly discovered evidence is granted by it. JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT (SC): 1. Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and other petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus. 2. All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the SC en banc, and all other cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc, including those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of the majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberation on the issues in the case and voted thereon; 3. Cases on matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no case, without the concurrence of at least three of such Members. 4. The Supreme Court has the power to: (a) exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus; (b) review, revise, reverse, modify, of affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in: (1) all cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or executive agreement, law presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulations is in question; (2) all cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any penalty imposed in relation thereto; (3)
all cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue;
(4)
all criminal cases in which the penalty imposed in reclusive perpetua or higher;
(5)
all cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.
CLASSES OF JURISDICTION: General – power to adjudicate all controversies except those expressly withheld from the plenary powers of the court. Special or Limited – restricts the courts jurisdiction only to particular cases and subject to such limitations as may be provided by the governing law. Original – power of the court to take judicial cognizance of a case instituted for udicial action for the first time under conditions provided by law. Appellate – authority of a court higher in rank to re-examine the final order or udgment of a lower court which tried the case now elevated for judicial review. Exclusive – power to adjudicate a case or proceeding to the exclusion of all other courts at that stage. Concurrence/Confluent/Coordinate – power conferred upon different courts, whether of the same or different ranks, to take cognizance at the same stage of the same case in the same or different judicial territories.