Scheneckerburger vs. Moran, 63 Phil. 249 (1943)

FACTS: Schneckenburger, who is an honorary consul of Uruguay at Manila was subsequently charged in CFI-Manila with the crime of falsification of a private document. He objected to this
saying that under the US and Philippine Constitution, the CFI has no jurisdiction to try him. After his objection was overruled, he filed a petition for a writ of prohibition to prevent the CFI from taking cognizance of the criminal action filed against him. Aside from this, he contended that original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors and consuls is conferred exclusively
upon the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

ISSUES:
1. Whether or not the US Supreme Court has Original Jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, consuls, et. al and such jurisdiction excludes courts of the Phils.

No. First of all, a consul is not entitled to the privilege of diplomatic immunity. A consul is not exempt from criminal prosecution for violations of the laws of the country where he resides. The inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth on Nov. 15, 1935 caused the Philippine Constitution to go into full force and effect. This Constitution is the supreme law of the land. This Constitution provides that the original jurisdiction of this court “shall include all cases affecting ambassadors, consuls et.al.”

2. Whether or not original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, consuls, et. al. is conferred exclusively upon the Supreme Court of the Philippines

“The Supreme Court shall have original and appellate jurisdiction as may be possessed and exercised by themSupreme Court of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this constitution.” According to Sec. 17. of Act No. 136 and by virtue of it, jurisdiction to issue writs of quo warranto, certiorari, mandamus, prohibition and habeas corpus was also conferred on the CFI’s. As a result, the original jurisdiction possessed and exercised by the Supreme Court of the Philippines at the time the Constitution was adopted was not exclusive of, but concurrent with, that of the CFI’s. The original jurisdiction conferred to Supreme Court by the Constitution was not an exclusive jurisdiction.

Judgment: CFI has jurisdiction to try the petitioner, and the petition for a writ of prohibition must be denied.