But the question of state or regional courts is not only a matter of deciding cases and resolving disputes. Our present Regional Trial Courts will have dual complexion, and this is not by any means unique. But the present RTCs will also be federal courts when they try federal cases: contracts, transactions, deeds that cut across regions, or crimes the elements of which are committed in different regions, or that the national Congress defines as federal offenses. But it will also be the court of appeals from the present RTCs sitting as federal courts of first instance. But challenges of intrusion into state prerogatives, or usurpation of national powers shall fall within the exclusive cognizance of the Philippine Supreme Court.

Source: The Standard July 16, 2017 16:07 UTC