PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES, CODES & ISSUANCES
PHILIPPINE LAWS, STATUTES AND CODES
REPUBLIC ACTS
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 644 - AN
ACT TO AMEND REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED TWO HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX
AUTHORIZING THE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE AND JUDGES OF THE MUNICIPAL
COURTS TO HAVE CONCURRENT JURISDICTION WITH THE COURTS OF FIRST
INSTANCE ON CASES OF ADOPTION AND APPOINTMENT OF GUARDIANS |
Section 1.
Section eighty-six of Republic Act Numbered Two hundred and ninety-six
is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 86.
Jurisdiction of justices of the peace and judges of municipal courts of
chartered cities. � The jurisdiction of justices of the peace and
judges of municipal courts of chartered cities shall consist of:
"(a) Original jurisdiction to try criminal cases in which the offense charged has been committed within their respective territorial jurisdiction; "(b) Original jurisdiction in civil actions arising in their respective municipalities and cities, and not exclusively cognizable by the Courts of First Instance; and "(c) The last phrase of paragraph (e) of section forty-three of this Act, notwithstanding, justices of the peace and judges of municipal courts shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Courts of First Instance in the appointment of guardians and adoption cases." Sec. 2. The second paragraph of section eighty-eight of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: "The jurisdiction of a justice of
the peace and judge of a municipal court shall not extend to civil
actions in which the subject of litigation is not capable of pecuniary
estimation, except in forcible entry and detainer cases; nor to those
which involve the legality of any tax, impost, to assessment; nor to
actions involving admiralty or maritime jurisdiction; nor to matters of
probate, the appointment of trustees or receivers; nor to actions for
annulment of marriages: Provided, however, That justices of the peace
who are duly qualified members of the bar may, with the approval of the
Secretary of Justice, be assigned by the respective district judge in
each case to hear and determine cadastral or land registration cases
covering lots where there is no controversy or opposition, or contested
lots the value of which does not exceed two thousand pesos, such value
to be ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant or by agreement of
the respective claimants, if there are more than one, or from the
corresponding declaration of real property."
Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved: June 12, 1951 |