Slide 1: Introduction

Good evening everyone and good evening Sir. I will be discussing to you guys the outline of criminal
jurisdiction of courts. This is for the MTC and RTC.

Slide 2: Jurisdiction of the Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court
1. So in terms of the classification as to the gravity of penalties it falls under correctional and light
penalties. The following are correctional penalties: Prision correccional, Arresto Mayor, Suspension and
Destierro. For Light Penalties we have Arresto Menor and Public Censure.
2. Offenses punishable by a fine of not more than 4,000
3. An example would be the crime of Reclkess imprudence resulting to damage to property under RPC
article 365
Note on qualifier: The jurisdiction of the MTC is qualified by the phrase cases falling with the exclusive
jurisdiction of the RTC and of the Sandiganbayn. This indicates that the MTC does not all times have
jurisdiction over offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding 6 years if jurisdiction is vested by
law either in the RTC (e.g. libel art 355 the penalty is Prision Correction) or Sandiganbayan (bribery
article 210)

Slide # 3. Those covered by the Rules on Summary Procedure:

a) Example would be jay walking and anti swerving
b) None
c) Regardless of the amount of check
d) Ordinances, it could be fine only for violation of ordinances. Example, ordinance prohibiting loud
sounds at past 10 in the evening, anti smoking, ordinance prohibiting the selling of cattle’s on tue and
thur where the penalty is fine and imprisonment. Anti littering fine of 500 first offense, 1000 second
offense third offense imprisonment graduating
e) Alarm and scandals with a penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding pesos article 155. Slight
physical injuries, under Article 266 and malicious mischief under article 327 and 328.

Slide # 4. Special Jurisdiction of MTC.

Just Read

Slide # 5. Jurisdiction of Regional Trial Court

1. Offenses the imposable penaly for which exceeds 6 years.
These are the afflictive penalties and capital punishment.

a) Under Afflictive penalties we prison mayor and temporary disqualification with a duration of 6years
and 1day to 12 years.

b) Under Reclusion temporal the duration is 12 years and 1day to 20 years and lastly

c) Under reclusion perpetua we have 20 years and 1 day to 40 years.

2. Just read. Criminal cases not falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, or body

3. Vote buying, flying voters, gun ban violations, violation of comelec rules and promulgated pursuant to
the election
Slide # 6. Regional Trial Court Jurisdiction under Special Laws
a) Libel written defamation under article 355, oral defamation under 358 and 359 first level courts
b) ILLEGAL USE drugs, FIRST OFFENSE REHAB, SECOND OFFENSE 6 MONTHS IMPROSONMENT
PENALTY
c) UNFAIR COMPETION CASES AND INFRINGMENTS
d) SANDIGANYBAY N IF COMMITTED BY PUBLIC OFFICERS WITH CONSPIRACY BY PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS
INCLUDED,
Those committed by public officers and private persons who are in conspiracy with such public officers
shall under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan

Slide 7: Original Jurisdiction of the RTC

Original Jurisdiction as to where enforceable. For RTC it is enforceable only within its judicial district but
for SC or CA it is enforceable anywhere in the Philippines.

Slide 8 and 9: Just Read

Slide 10. Sandiganbayan

Under item a.
a) Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, and provincial
treasurers, assessors, engineers, and other provincial department heads;
b) City mayers, vice-mayors members of the sangguniang panlunsod, city treasurer, assessors,
engineers, and other city department heads;
c) Officials of the dimplamatic service occupaying the position of consul and higher;
d) Philippine army and air force colonels, naval captains, and all officers of higher rank;
e) Officers of the PNP while occupying the position of provincial director and those holding the rank of
senior superintendent or higher
f) City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants, and officials and prosecutors in the office of the
Ombudsman and special prosecutor
g) Presidents, directors or trustees, or managers of GOCC, state universities or educational institutions
or foundations

Slide 11: Just Read

Slide 12: Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction

2. Differentiate offense – special laws vs felonies – rpc
3. This pertains to the investigation, prosecution, and trial of cases to recover the ill-gotten wealth
accumulated by the persons mentioned in Executive Orders Nos. 1 and 2.”
Note: Property illegal wealth, sequester by the government through the PCGG.
C. Common procedures in First and Second Level Courts

Checklist I
Things to Do at the Arraignment of the Accused
1. The accused must be arraigned before the court where the Complaint or Information was filed or
assigned for trial. The arraignment shall be made in open court by the judge or clerk by furnishing the
accused with a copy of the Complaint or Information, reading the same in the language or dialect known
to him, and asking him whether he pleads guilty or not guilty. The prosecution may call at the trial
witnesses other than those named in the Complaint or Information.

2. The accused must be present at the arraignment and must personally enter his/her plea. Both
arraignment and plea shall be made of record, but failure to do so shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings.

3. Before the reading of the Information, where the accused is not assisted by counsel de oficio, inform
him/her of his/her right to counsel and inquire from him/her if he/she desires to engage his/her own
counsel. Unless the accused is allowed to defend himself in person, and the accused is amenable to a
counsel de oficio, appoint a competent and responsible counsel de oficio for him.

4. Whenever a counsel de oficio is appointed by the court to assist the accused at the arraignment, give
a reasonable time for him to consult with the accused as to his/her plea before proceeding with the
arraignment.

5. When the accused refuses to plead or makes a conditional plea, enter a plea of not guilty for him/her.

6. When the accused pleads guilty but presents exculpatory evidence, consider his/her plea withdrawn
and enter a plea of not guilty for him/her.

7. Require the private offended party to appear at the arraignment for purposes of plea-bargaining,
determination of civil liability, and other matters requiring his/her presence. In case of failure of the
149 RULES OF COURT, Rule 116.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

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offended party to appear despite due notice, the court may allow the accused to enter a plea of guilty to
a lesser offense which is necessarily included in the offense charged with the conformity of the trial
prosecutor alone.150 Unless the civil action has been reserved, waived or otherwise instituted ahead,
reset the case for the reception of evidence to determine the civil liability and the imposable penalty.

8. Plea of guilty to a lesser offense

At arraignment, allow the accused, with the consent of the offended party and the prosecutor, to plead
guilty to a lesser offense which is necessarily included in the offense charged. After arraignment but
before trial, the accused to withdraw plea of not guilty and substitute to a guilty plea for said lesser
offense.151
9. Plea of guilty to capital offense; reception of evidence

When the accused pleads guilty to a capital offense, conduct a searching inquiry into the voluntariness
and full comprehension of the consequences of his/her plea and (b) require the prosecution to prove
his/her guilt and the precise degree of culpability. Allow the accused to present evidence on his/her
behalf.

10. Plea of guilty to non-capital offense; reception of evidence, discretionary

When the accused pleads guilty to a non-capital offense, allow the parties to adduce evidence to
determine the penalty to be imposed.

11. Withdrawal of improvident plea of guilty

At any time before the judgment of conviction becomes final, permit an improvident plea of guilty be
withdrawn and be substituted by a plea of not guilty.

12. If a ―Not Guilty‖ plea is entered, schedule the pre-trial of the case with due notice to the offended
party/arresting officer.

13. If the accused is under preventive detention, the pre-trial conference of the case within ten (10) days
after arraignment.

150 SC Circular No. 1-89. 151 SC Circular No. 38-98, Sec. 4.

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14. In other cases, unless a shorter period is provided by special law or Supreme Court circular, conduct
the arraignment within thirty (30) days from the date the court acquires jurisdiction over the person of
the accused. In computing the said period, exclude the time of the pendency of a motion to quash or for
a bill of particulars or other causes justifying suspension of the arraignment.

15. Upon motion of the accused, suspend his/her arraignment on any of the following grounds:

15.1. The accused appears to be suffering from an unsound mental condition which effectively renders
him unable to fully understand the charge against him and to plead intelligently thereto. In such case,
order his/her mental examination and, if necessary, his/her confinement for such purpose.

15.2. There exists a prejudicial question.

15.3. A petition for review of the resolution of the prosecutor is pending at either the Department of
Justice, or the Office of the President; provided, that the period of suspension shall not exceed sixty (60)
days counted from the filing of the petition with the reviewing office.
Note: In People v. Alicando,152 the Supreme Court held that a conviction in capital offenses cannot rest
alone on a plea of guilt. The trial court must require the prosecution to prove the guilt of the appellant
and the precise degree of his/her culpability beyond reasonable doubt