JURISDICTION  OF  REGIONAL  TRIAL  COURTS  IN  CRIMINAL CASES

1.    Exclusive  original  jurisdiction  in  criminal  cases  not  within  the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body, except those falling  under  the  exclusive  and  concurrent  jurisdiction  of  the Sandiganbayan

All  criminal  cases  where  the  penalty  is  higher  than  6  years, including  government-related  cases wherein  the  accused  in  not one of those falling under the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is within the jurisdiction of the RTC.

2.    Other laws which specifically lodge jurisdiction in the RTC

a.    Laws on written defamation or libel
b.    Decree on Intellectual Property
c.     Dangerous  Drugs  Cases  except  where  the  offenders  are below  16  years  and  there  are  Juvenile  and  Domestic Relations Courts in the province

3.    Appellate  jurisdiction  over  all  cases  decided  by  MTCs  in  their respective territorial jurisdiction

4.    In areas where there are no family courts, the cases falling under the jurisdiction of family courts shall be adjudicated by the RTC