SC sets guidelines on criminal jurisdiction after Taguig-Makati land dispute ruling

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) — The Supreme Court (SC) has released guidelines on Taguig City’s assumption of jurisdiction over crimes committed within areas that were previously part of Makati City.

The high court on Friday said it has issued the new rules governing civil and criminal cases that concern Parcels 3 and 4, PSU-2031 of the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation which it has declared to be part of Taguig City.

It set the guidelines after Taguig Mayor Maria Laarni Cayetano requested that the transfer of jurisdiction to her city’s courts be set in October this year.

However, the SC said that it has set the effectivity date for the transfer to Jan. 1, 2024 to enable the courts to prepare.

The new rules state that all compaints involving crimes committed in the affected areas from Jan. 1 onwards shall be filed in the courts of Taguig City.

Meanwhile, complaints related to crimes and offenses that transpired within these areas before the said date shall be filed with the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office.

“All civil and criminal cases already filed and pending before the first- and second-level courts in Makati City before January 1, 2024, shall proceed to trial, be heard, and ultimately be decided by the respective Makati City courts where they were pending,” the SC said.

The SC Public Information Office said it will upload the resolution once it receives a copy from the Office of the Clerk of Court En Banc.