SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION & BP NO. 129 - 58 PJP 21

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  1. RECOMMENDED CITATION: DELA PEÑA, Mark Angelo S. (2024), “Subject Matter Jurisdiction and BP No. 129,” 58 PJP 21, available at <insert link> (last accessed on <date>).
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Jurisdiction over the subject matter is the power of the court to hear and decide a certain category of cases. The term “category of cases” refers the allocation made by law.

In the Philippines, in civil cases, a claim not exceeding Php2,000,000.00 is within the jurisdiction of the first-level courts. On the other hand, a claim that exceeds said amount is within the jurisdiction of the second-level courts.

As to actions involving title to, possession of, or any interest in real property, the jurisdiction of the courts depends on the assessed value of the real property involved. If the assessed value does not exceed Php400,000.00, the case is cognizable by the first-level courts. If it exceeds said amount, the case falls under the powers of the second-level courts.

In criminal cases, the jurisdictional threshold is the maximum penalty imposed by law. If the maximum penalty does not exceed six years, the first-level courts have jurisdiction over the criminal action. If it exceeds six years, the second-level courts have jurisdiction.

There are cases especially required by law to be heard by a particular court without regard to the value or maximum penalty involved. For example, criminal cases for violation of Batas Pambansa (BP) No. 22, otherwise known as the Anti-Bouncing Checks Law, are always cognizable by the first-level courts regardless of the amount reflected on the check.

Also, family court cases like declaration of nullity of marriage, annulment of marriage, and legal separation are always cognizable by the second-level courts. Moreover, criminal cases involving minors or violence against women and their children, regardless of the extent of criminal liability, are within the jurisdiction of family courts which are RTCs given special designation as such.

Batas Pambansa (BP) No. 129, as amended, as the mother law on jurisdiction

In the Philippines, the mother law on jurisdiction is BP No. 129, otherwise known as the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, as amended. It details the allocation of judicial powers among different courts like the Court of Appeals, the RTC, and the MTC.

BP No. 129 has recently undergone an amendment through RA No. 11576, July 30, 2021. This amendatory law expanded the jurisdiction of the first-level courts.

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