Heed HSAC jurisdiction, SC urges courts

The Supreme Court’s Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) has urged first and second-level courts to review and give special attention to the jurisdiction of the Human Settlements Adjudication Commission (HSAC) as outlined in Republic Act (RA) 11201, also known as the “Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act.”

The order aims to enhance the delivery of justice by clarifying jurisdictional delineations.

In OCA Circular 44-2025, Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva emphasized the importance of a comprehensive review of RA 11201, particularly the provisions concerning HSAC’s jurisdiction, the jurisdiction of the Regional Adjudicators, HSAC’s authority to execute decisions, orders, or awards, the impact of the law on the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, and HSAC’s overall mandate.

The OCA and HSAC have cooperated to inform and educate stakeholders about their rights as homebuyers and owners, as well as where they can seek relief from violations of those rights.

As a quasi-judicial agency, HSAC holds original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases related to real estate development, homeowners’ associations, and appeals from decisions of local and regional planning and zoning bodies.