# Regional Trial Court

The regional trial courts (RTC; Filipino: Panrehiyong Hukuman sa Paglilitis) are the highest trial courts in the Philippines. In criminal matters, they have original jurisdiction.

## History

It was formerly called as the Court of First Instance since the Spanish era. It continued throughout its colonization under Spanish and Americans. 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.
There were numerous cases (both civil and criminal) yet to be resolved or being delayed for years due to their nature. In addition, there were special courts made to try specialized cases like criminal, agricultural, and family to decongest cases, which ended up complicating the judiciary system. Therefore, the Interim Batasang Pambansa passed Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, which reorganized the lower and intermediate courts in the country, which included 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 Regional Trial Courts the following jurisdiction:

### Civil

* In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;
* In all civil actions that involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein, where the assessed value exceeds ₱400,000, except for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the Metropolitan Trial Courts, and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.
* In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claims exceeds ₱2,000,000.
* In all matters of probate, both estate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate exceeds ₱2,000,000.
* In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations.
* 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.
* 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.
* 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 ₱2,000,000.

### 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:
* 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.
* 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 that 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. Congress can create additional RTC branches, when necessary by passing a law.

### Summary

| Judicial Region | Judicial Region | Branches | Jurisdictions |
| | National Capital | 288 | 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 del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat |
| Philippines | Philippines | 959 | |

### 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, 270, 282 to 285 | Valenzuela |
| Taguig | Branch 15-FC, 69 to 70, 153, 163, 266 to 267, 271 | Taguig |
| San Juan | Branch 14-FC | San Juan |
| Navotas | Branch 9-FC, 286 to 288 | Navotas |

#### 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, 40 | 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

| Province | Branches | Location |
| Aurora | Branch 90 to 91, 1-FC | Baler |
| Aurora | Branch 101 | Casiguran |
| Bataan | Branch 1 to 3, 92 to 93, 2-FC | Balanga |
| Bataan | Branch 4, 94 to 95, 3-FC | Mariveles |
| Bataan | Branch 5, 96 | Dinalupihan |
| Bulacan | Branch 6 to 22, 76 to 85, 102 to 104, 4-FC | Malolos |
| Bulacan | Branch 120, 05-FC | San José del Monte |
| Bulacan | Branch 121 | Meycauayan |
| Bulacan | Branch 06-FC | Santa Maria |
| 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 City |
| 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, 1-FC | Batangas City |
| Batangas | Branch 5 | Lemery |
| Batangas | Branch 6, 66, 83 | Tanauan |
| Batangas | Branch 9 to 11 | Balayan |
| Batangas | Branch 12 to 13, 85, 2-FC | Lipa |
| Batangas | Branch 14 | Nasugbu |
| Batangas | Branch 86 | Taal |
| Batangas | Branch 87 | Rosario |
| Cavite | Branch 19, 89, 110 to 119 | Bacoor |
| Cavite | Branch 109 | Carmona |
| Cavite | Branch 16 to 17, 88 | Cavite City |
| Cavite | Branch 90, 128 to 129 | Dasmariñas |
| Cavite | Branch 20 to 22, 120 to 127, 4-FC | Imus |
| Cavite | Branch 15, 132 | Naic |
| Cavite | Branch 3, 18, 133 to 136, 3-FC | Tagaytay |
| Cavite | Branch 5, 23, 130 to 131, 5-FC | Trece Martires |
| Laguna | Branch 24 to 25, 152-157 | Biñan |
| Laguna | Branch 26 to 28, 91, 176, 6-FC | Santa Cruz |
| Laguna | Branch 29 to 30, 32, 7-FC | San Pablo |
| Laguna | Branch 33, 166 | Siniloan |
| Laguna | Branch 34 to 37, 92, 103 to 105, 8-FC | Calamba |
| Laguna | Branch 31, 93, 169 to 171 | San Pedro |
| Laguna | Branch 107 | Los Baños |
| Laguna | Branch 108 | Cabuyao |
| Laguna | Branch 101 to 102 | Santa Rosa |
| Marinduque | Branch 38, 94, 9-FC | Boac |
| Occidental Mindoro | Branch 44, 10-FC | Mamburao |
| Occidental Mindoro | Branch 45 to 46 | San Jose |
| Oriental Mindoro | Branch 39 to 40, 11-FC | Calapan |
| Oriental Mindoro | Branch 41 to 42 | Pinamalayan |
| Oriental Mindoro | Branch 43 | Roxas |
| Oriental Mindoro | Branch 12-FC | Naujan |
| Palawan | Branch 47 to 52, 13-FC | Puerto Princesa |
| Palawan | Branch 163 | Coron |
| Palawan | Branch 165 | Brooke's Point |
| Palawan | Branch 95, 164 | Roxas |
| Palawan | Branch 14-FC | Taytay |
| Quezon | Branch 53 to 60, 167 to 168, 15-FC | Lucena |
| Quezon | Branch 61 to 62 | Gumaca |
| Quezon | Branch 63 | Calauag |
| Quezon | Branch 64 | Mauban |
| Quezon | Branch 65 | Infanta |
| Quezon | Branch 96 | Catanauan |
| Quezon | Branch 16-FC | Sariaya |
| Rizal | Branch 67 to 70 | Binangonan |
| Rizal | Branch 71 to 74, 97 to 100, 137 to 151, 17-FC | Antipolo |
| Rizal | Branch 75 to 77, 174-175 | San Mateo |
| Rizal | Branch 78 to 80, 158-161 | Morong |
| Romblon | Branch 81, 19-FC | Romblon |
| Romblon | Branch 82 | Odiongan |
| Romblon | Branch 106 | Cajidiocan |

#### 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 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, 3-Family Court | Panabo |
| Davao de Oro | Branch 3 | Nabunturan |
| Davao del Sur | Branch 8 to 17, 33, 52 to 54 | 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, 62 to 63 | 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, 61, 7-FC | 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 del Norte | Branch 13 to 14, Branch 27, 5-FC | Cotabato City |
| Maguindanao del Sur | Branch 15 | Shariff Aguak |
| Sultan Kudarat | Branch 19 | Isulan |
| Sultan Kudarat | Branch 20 | Tacurong |
| Sultan Kudarat | Branch 25 | Kalamansig |