However, an exception to this rule obtains in agrarian disputes. A landlord may attempt to circumvent the law by simply filing a ejectment case against his tenant through an accion interdictal. Unsurprisingly, the defendant-tenant is forced to allege in his complaint the true nature of his relationship with the plaintiff-landlord. In such a case, the trial court should see to it that the case is resolved under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB).
The Supreme Court has held, "The jurisdiction of a tribunal, including a quasi-judicial agency, over the subject matter of a complaint or petition is determined by the allegations therein. However, in determining jurisdiction, it is not only the nature of the issues or questions that is the subject of the controversy that should be determined, but also the status or relationship of the parties. Thus, if the issues between the parties are intertwined with the resolution of an issue within the exclusive jurisdiction of the DARAB, such dispute must be addressed and resolved by the DARAB." (G.R. No. 127965; January 20, 2009; FRANCISCO SALAZAR, Petitioner, vs. REYNALDO DE LEON represented by his Attorney-in-Fact, FELICIANO JABONILLA, Respondent.)
