Practice question
A 2026 estate proceeding has a gross estate value of PHP1.5 million. No special jurisdictional law applies, and venue is otherwise proper. Counsel relies on Rule73's old 'Court of First Instance' wording to insist that every probate case still belongs originally to the RTC. Which is correct?
- The old court label overrides all later jurisdictional statutes.
- Only an heir's choice determines court level.
- Every estate belongs originally to the Supreme Court.
- Venue automatically supplies any missing jurisdiction.
- Current BP129 as amended by RA11576 places qualifying probate estates not exceeding PHP2 million within first-level jurisdiction.
Legal references
- https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/rc_72-109_proceedings.html — Rule73 §§1–4.
- https://lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1976/nov1976/gr_40502_1976.html — Garcia Fule v CA, GRL40502/L42670, November29 1976, main decision.
- https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2021/ra_11576_2021.html — RA11576 current monetary and assessed-value jurisdiction, including ejectment exception.
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