G.R. No. L-25305 January 31, 1969
People of the Philippines, plaintiff-appellant, vs. Conchita Cook and S/Sgt. Donald Cook, defendants-appellees.

FACTS

The City Fiscal of Angeles City, Pampanga, prosecuted defendants Conchita Cook and Donald Cook for estafa involving the amount of P5,100.00 before the City Court of Angeles City. The defendants filed a motion to quash the information on the ground that the City Court lacked jurisdiction over the offense charged. The City Court granted the motion and dismissed the case, prompting the State to appeal.

ISSUE

Whether or not the City Court of Angeles City has jurisdiction over the estafa case where the amount involved is P5,100.00.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court set aside the order of dismissal and remanded the case to the City Court for further proceedings. The Court held that there is no conflict between paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 87 of the Judiciary Act of 1948, as amended. For estafa cases: (1) if the amount involved does not exceed P200.00, municipal courts and city courts have original and exclusive jurisdiction; and (2) if the penalty provided by law does not exceed prision correccional or imprisonment for not more than six years or a fine not exceeding P6,000.00, the same courts have original jurisdiction concurrent with the Court of First Instance. The penalty for estafa under Article 315(3) of the Revised Penal Code is arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period. Therefore, the City Court of Angeles City has original but concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of First Instance of Pampanga to try and decide the case.