Jurisdiction over the Subject Matter

[1] It is the power to deal with the general subject involved in the action, and means not simply jurisdiction of the particular case then occupying the attention of the court but jurisdiction over the class of cases to which the particular case belongs. It is the power or authority to hear and determine cases to which the proceeding is question belongs.
[2] When a complaint is filed in court, the basic questions that ipso facto are to be immediately resolved by the court on its own are:

          (a) What is the subject matter of their complaint filed before the court?
          (b) Does the court have jurisdiction over the said subject matter of the complaint before it?

Answering these questions inevitably requires looking into the applicable laws conferring jurisdiction.

[3] The exclusion of the term "damages of whatever kind" in determining the jurisdictional amount under Section 19 [8] and Section 33 [1] of BP 129, as amended by RA 7691, applies to cases where the damages are merely incidental to or a consequence of the main cause of action. However, in cases where the claim for damages is the main cause of action, or one of the causes of action, the amount of such claim shall be considered in determining the jurisdiction of the court (Sante vs. Claravall). [4] Pag-IBIG requested the intervention of the trial court through a letter on the alleged anomalous auction sale conducted. The Court ruled that the trial court did not acquire jurisdiction over the case since no proper initiatory pleading was filed. Said letter could not in any way be considered as a pleading. Also, no docket fees were paid before the trial court. Rule 141 of the Rules of Court mandates that, upon the filing of the pleading or other application which initiates an action or proceeding, the fees prescribed shall be paid in full. (Monsanto v. Lim and De Guzman).