SUBJECT:  DELEGATED JURISDICTION OF METCs, MTCCs, MTCs AND MCTCs TO HEAR AND DETERMINE CADASTRAL AND LAND REGISTRATION CASES.

Pursuant to Sec. 34 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 and the Resolution of the Court En Banc in Adm. Matter No. 93-3-488-0 [Re: Request of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources] dated March 25, 1993, the MeTCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and MCTCs are hereby authorized to hear and decide cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy or opposition, or contested lots, the value of which does not exceed Twenty thousand pesos [P20,000.00], 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 tax declaration of the real property provided that:
 

[1] Cadastral or land registration cases filed before the effectivity of this Administrative Circular but where trial had not commenced yet, shall be assigned by the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court who has jurisdiction over the same to the appropriate MeTC, MTCC, MTC or MCTC;

[2] In RTCs where trial of cadastral or land registration cases has commenced, the same shall remain with the court where the case had been pending as of the time of the effectivity of this Administrative Circular. However, by agreement of the parties, the case may be transferred to the appropriate METC, MTCC, MTC or MCTC.

This Administrative Circular shall take effect immediately. The Clerk of Court is directed to course its publication in a newspaper of general circulation for the information of the public.

April 21, 1993.