The History of Supreme Court
The Judicial System of the Pre-Spanish Filipinos
Filipinos are without any written laws when the Spaniards arrived in the
archipelago. The laws enforced were derived from customs, usages and tradition.
These laws were believed to be God-given and were orally transmitted from
generation to generation. There were no judges and lawyers who were trained
formally in the law, elders who are knowledgeable with customs, usages and
traditions of their tribes to qualify them as consultants or advisers on these matters. In
the exercise of his judicial authority, the datu acted as a judge (hukom) in settling
disputes and deciding cases in his barangay. Barangay chiefs exercised judicial
authority.
The Judicial System Under the Spanish Regime
The Real Audiencia de Manila was established on May 5, 1583 which has
judicial, legislative, executive, advisory, and administrative functions was established
by the Spaniards. It is composed of the incumbent governor general as the presidente
(presiding officer), four oidores (equivalent to associate justices), an asesor (legal
adviser), an alguacil mayor (chief constable), among other officials. Real Audiencia
de Manila was both a trial and appellate court. It had exclusive original, concurrent
original and exclusive appellate jurisdictions. Later, in year 1815, the presidente was
replaced by a Chief Justice and number of justices was increased.
The Judicial System During the American Occupation
The occupation by the Americans of the Philippine Islands in the late 1890’s after
Spain’s defeat paved the way for considerable changes in the control, disposition, and
governance of the Islands. The judicial system established during the regime of the
military government functioned as an instrument of the executive - not of the
judiciary - as an independent and separate branch of government. Secretary of State
John Hay, on May 12, 1899, proposed a plan for a colonial government of the
Philippine Islands which contemplated an independent judiciary manned by judges
chosen from qualified locals and Americans. On May 29, 1899, General Elwell
Stephen Otis, Military Governor for the Philippines, issued General Order No. 20,
reestablishing the Audiencia Teritorial de Manila which was to apply Spanish laws
and jurisprudence recognized by the American military governor as continuing in
force. The Audiencia was composed of a presiding officer and eight members
organized into two divisions: the sala de lo civil or the civil branch, and the sala de lo
criminal or the criminal branch.
The Establishment of the Supreme Court of the Philippines
On June 11, 1901, the Second Philippine Commission passed Act No. 136
entitled “An Act Providing for the Organization of Courts in the Philippine Islands”
formally establishing the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands and creating Courts
of First Instance and Justices of the Peace Courts throughout the land. Cayetano
Arrelano served as the first Chief Justice together with Associate Justices where
majority were Americans. This judicial organization was the brainchild of the
American lawyers in the Philippine Commission and was patterned in its basic
structures after similar organizations in the United States. It was composed of a Chief
Justice and six Judges. Five members of the Court could form a quorum, and the
concurrence of at least four members was necessary to pronounce a judgment.
The Supreme Court During the Commonwealth
Following the ratification of the 1935 Philippine Constitution in a plebiscite, the
principle of separation of powers was adopted through actual division of powers of
the government which are the executive, legislative, and judicial - in different articles
thereof. The Court during the Commonwealth was composed of “a Chief Justice and
ten Associate Justices, and may sit en banc or in two divisions, unless otherwise
provided by law.”
The Supreme Court Under the 1987 Constitution
The exercise of judicial power is shared by the Supreme Court with all the courts
below it. However, it is only the Supreme Court’s decisions that are vested with
precedential value or doctrinal authority, as its interpretations of the Constitution and
the laws are final and beyond review by any other branch of government.
The 1987 Constitution defines the concept of judicial power. Under paragraph 2
of Section 1, Article VIII, “judicial power” includes not only the “duty of the courts
of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable
and enforceable” but also “to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse
of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or
instrumentality of the government.” This latter provision dilutes the effectivity of the
“political question” doctrine which places specific questions best submitted to the
political wisdom of the people beyond the review of the courts.
Based on previous experiences under former Constitutions, the 1987 Constitution
provides for specific safeguards to ensure the independence of the Judiciary. These
grants are:
a. The grant to the Judiciary of fiscal autonomy. (Art. VI, Sec. 25)
b. The removal from Congress of the power to deprive the Supreme Court of its
jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5 of Article VIII.
c. The grant to the Court of the power to appoint all officials and employees of
the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law (Art. VIII, Sec. 5).
d. The removal from the Commission of Appointments of the power to confirm
appointments of justices and judges (Art. VIII, Sec. 8).
e. The removal from Congress of the power to reduce the compensation or
salaries of the Justices and judges during their continuance in office. (Art. VIII, Sec.
10).
f. The prohibition against the removal of judges through legislative
reorganization by providing that “oo law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary
when it undermines the security of tenure of its members. (Art. VIII, Sec. 2).
g. The grant of sole authority to the Supreme Court to order the temporary detail
of judges. (Art. VIII, Sec. 5).
h. The grant of sole authority to the Supreme Court to promulgate rules of
procedure for the courts. (Art. VIII, Sec. 5).
i. The prohibition against designating members of the Judiciary to any agency
performing quasi-judicial or administrative function. (Art. VIII, Sec. 12).
j. The grant of administrative supervision over the lower courts and its personnel
in the Supreme Court. (Art. VIII, Sec. 6)
The Supreme Court under the present Constitution is composed of a Chief Justice
and 14 Associate Justices. The members of the Court are appointed by the President
from a list prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council of at least three nominees for
every vacancy. This new process is intended to “de-politicize” the courts of justice,
ensure the choice of competent judges, and fill existing vacancies without undue
delay.
An appointment to the Supreme Court needs no confirmation of the Commission
on Appointments as the nomination is already vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council,
a constitutionally-created body which recommends appointments within the judiciary.
Upon a vacancy in the Court, whether for the position of Chief Justice or Associate
Justice, the President fills the vacancy by appointing a person from a list of at least 3
nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council.
According to the Constitution, for a person to be appointed to the Supreme Court,
he must be:
 a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
 at least forty years of age, and
 have been for fifteen years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the
practice of law in the Philippines.
An additional constitutional requirement, though less precise in nature, is that a
judge "must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence."
Sources:
2 Milagros Santos-Ong, Legal Research and Citations of the Philippines, p. 27-54, 2d
ed. (2018).
Brief Overview Supreme Court of the Philippines, https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/389/
(last Accessed Nov. 27, 2020).
CONST. (1987). art. VIII.
Hector S. De Leon & Hector M De Leon, Jr., Textbook on the Philippine Constitution,
p. 364-408, (2014).
History Supreme Court of the Philippines, https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/387/ (last
accessed Nov. 27, 2020).
Trivia
Ang gavel ay isang uri ng martilyo na gawa sa
kahoy. Kadalasa’y ginagamit ng isang
namumunong opisyal katulad ng isang Senate
President o Judge. Ginagamit ito upang tawagin
ang atensyon ng lahat para sa kaayusan ng
buong hukoman. Ginagamit din ito tuwing
opening ng hearing, adjournment ng hearing at
tuwing dinedeklara ang desisyon ng judge.
The Philippine Judicial System at Present
In the Philippines, all courts are courts of law and equity and have jurisdiction
over all civil, criminal and probate cases. The Philippine Judiciary is a hierarchical
organization consisting of four levels

The First Level Courts and Second level courts, they are single-judge
courts and are the trials courts and finders of fact at the first instance;

The Third level courts are collegiate courts, working in divisions of at
least three justices; and

The Supreme Court (The court of last resort), at the top tier/level
exercising administrative supervision over all courts and court
personnel and wielding jurisdiction to “review, revise, reverse, modify,
or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules of Court may
provide, final judgments or orders of lower courts” cases specified in
Article VIII, section 5(2) of the 1987 Constitution.
Within each level, the courts are coordinate and equal and do not enjoy review
jurisdiction over each other’s decisions, resolutions, writs, and processes.
Shari’a Courts: These special courts, with jurisdiction over Muslim Filipinos in
Mindanao, were created under Section 137, of the Presidential Decree No. 1083 or the
“Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines.”. The Code recognizes the legal
system of the Muslims in the Philippines as part of the law of the land and seeks to
make Islamic institutions more effective; codifies Muslim personal laws; and provides
for an effective administration and enforcement of Muslim personal laws among
Muslims. Shari’a Courts, is under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
1.) The First level courts: “The Trial Courts of Limited Jurisdiction”
 Consisting of:
 The Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs), which are established in
Metropolitan Manila;

The Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs), in every city which
does not form part of Metropolitan Manila;

The Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs), established in each of the other
cities or municipalities; and

The Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs), created in each circuit
comprising such cities and/or municipalities as grouped by law

At the same level are the Shari’a Circuit Courts (SCC).
 At the frontlines of the Judicial System with jurisdiction limited to civil
suits involving relatively smaller amounts of money and to minor
violations of the criminal laws.
 They are also labelled as the “inferior courts”, because these are the
tribunals in which most of the controversies that occur in a community are
heard and, at least provisionally decided.
 These courts of very limited jurisdiction may be at the bottom of the
judicial totem pole, but they are the courts closest to the people. It is vital
that in this level justice be administered fairly and with dignity. Otherwise,
the common people will lose confidence on the judiciary.
2.) The Second level courts: “The Courts of General Jurisdiction” consists of:
 Consisting of:
 The Regional Trial Courts (RTCs), formerly known as the “Courts
of First Instance”. The Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) established in
each of the thirteen (13) judicial regions in the Philippines: Regions I
to XII, and the National Capital Region (Metro Manila). Each RTC
may be composed of a single sala or of several branches. RTCs have
both original and appellate jurisdictions. In exercising the former
jurisdiction, RTCs act as trial courts receiving evidence in the first
instance from the parties to a case falling within its jurisdiction; in
exercising the latter jurisdiction, the RTCs act as a court of appeal over
the decisions of the Courts of the First Level.

Also on the same level are the Shari’a District Courts (SDC), whose
decisions are appealable to the still-to-be organized Shari’a Appellate
Court. Pending such organization, SDC Decisions are reviewed by the
Supreme Court through the special civil action of certiorari under Rule
65 if the issue is one of jurisdiction or through a petition for review on
certiorari by way of appeal under Rule 45 of the Rules of Court. Cases
falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Shari'a District
Courts primarily pertain to family rights and duties as well as
contractual relations of Filipino Muslims in the Mindanao.
 If a civil claim or criminal prosecution involves an amount of money or a
potential criminal sentence, beyond the jurisdiction of the MeTCs, MTCCs,
MTCs, and MCTCs, it must be filed and heard in what lawyers call a
“Trial Court of General Jurisdiction” i.e., a court empowered to try all
kinds of case, without monetary or subject matter limitation. These are
known as the Regional Trial Courts
3.) Appellate Court
 Is at the third tier of the hierarchy consist of three collegiate courts,
namely:
 The Court of Appeals;
 The Court of Tax Appeals; and
 The Sandiganbayan.
 Before a party can go to the “court of last resort,” he has to go first to
the appellate courts.
3.1 . The Court of Appeals (CA):
 The CA is the primary appellate court of the Philippines, exercising its
powers, functions and duties through 23 divisions of three members
each. It sits in three stations, namely:
 The City of Manila - holding the first 17 Stations;
 Cebu City - holding the 18th, 19th, and 20th Division comprising the
CA Visayas Station; and
 Cagayan de Oro City - holding the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd Divisions
comprising the CA Mindanao Station.
 The unanimous vote of the three members of the divisions shall be
necessary for a decision otherwise two additional justices will sit
temporarily with them forming a special division of five and the
majority shall be necessary of a decision.
 The CA is assigned to review cases elevated to it from the Regional
Trial Courts (RTCs) as well as quasi-judicial agencies such as the Civil
Service Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, National
Labor Relations Commission, and the Land Registration Authority.
 The CA also reviews cases where the sentence is reclusion perpetua or
life imprisonment, as well as decisions of the Office of the
Ombudsman in administrative disciplinary cases.
 The CA is a collegial court and sits en banc only to exercise
administrative, ceremonial or other non-adjudicatory functions.
 Being an appellate court, it resolves cases based on the record of the
proceedings from the trial court; in certain cases, however, the CA also
conducts hearings and receives evidence such as, for instance, in
applications for the writ of Amparo or Habeas Data, whether in the
exercise of original jurisdiction or on remand from the Supreme Court.
 The CA also has the original and exclusive jurisdiction to issue freeze
orders over any monetary instrument or property under the
Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001 or RA 9160. It is also the court
with original and exclusive jurisdiction to allow surveillance and
monitoring of communications under the Human Security Act of 2007
or RA 9372.
 The current presiding justice of the Court of Appeals is Presiding Justice
Remedios A. Salazar Fernando, and fifty-four (54) associate justices.
3.2 . The Court of Tax Appeals:
 The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) was created on June 16, 1954,
through the enactment of Republic Act No. 1125 (R.A. 1125).
Considering its limited jurisdiction then, it had only three (3) Judges,
which at present is equivalent to one (1) Division.
 With the passage of Republic Act Number 9282 (R.A. 9282) on April
23, 2004, the CTA became an appellate Court, equal in rank to the
Court of Appeals. The composition of the Court increased to six (6)
Justices with one (1) Presiding Justice and five (5) Associate Justices.
 It shall sit En Banc, or in two (2) Divisions with three (3) Justices each.
A decision of a division of the CTA may be appealed to the CTA En
Banc, and the latter's decision may further be appealed by verified
petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court.
 However, Republic Act Number 9503 was enacted on June 12, 2008
and took effect on July 5, 2008. This further enlarged the
organizational structure of the CTA by creating a Third Division and
providing for three (3) additional Justices. Hence, the CTA is now
composed of one (1) Presiding Justice and eight (8) Associate Justices.
The CTA may sit en banc or in three (3) divisions with each division
consisting of three (3) Justices. The CTA, as one of the Courts
comprising the Philippine Judiciary, is under the supervision of the
Supreme Court.
 Act only on protests of private persons adversely affected by the tax
and customs laws.
 The CTA has exclusive jurisdiction to review on appeal decisions in
cases involving disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes,
fees, or other charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters
arising under the National Internal Revenue Code. It also exercises
original jurisdiction over all criminal offenses arising from violations
of the Tax or Tariff Codes and other laws administered by the Bureau
of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs.
 The current presiding justice of the Court of Tax Appeals is Presiding
Justice Roman G. Del Rosario, and eight (8) associate justices.
3.3 . The Sandiganbayan
 The Sandiganbayan is a special appellate court which have appellate
jurisdiction over certain criminal cases decided by the Regional Courts,
and also original jurisdiction over certain types of criminal cases.
 The Sandiganbayan is an anti-graft court that has jurisdiction to try
public officers with a salary grade of 27 and above (including any
co-accused who are private persons) charged with criminal cases
involving violation of the country’s laws on graft and corruption,
particularly RA 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act, and corresponding civil cases for recovery
of civil liability arising from the offense.
 Private individuals can be tried in cases before the Sandiganbayan if
they are alleged to be in conspiracy with the public officer. The
decisions of the Sandiganbayan are directly appealable to the Supreme
Court.
 Prior to April 16, 2015, the Sandiganbayan was composed of a
Presiding Justice and 14 Associate Justices who sit in five divisions of
three Justices each. On April 16, 2015, Republic Act No. 10660, “An
Act Strengthening the Functional and Structural Organization of the
Sandiganbayan,” expanding the Sandiganbayan and enabling it to
speed up disposition of high-profile cases was passed by Congress and
signed into law by the President.
 Under RA 10660, the appointment of six additional justices comprising
two additional divisions are provided. With the operation of RA 10660,
there are now 21 Sandiganbayan justices sitting in seven divisions of
three members each (Section 1 of RA 10660).
 The current presiding justice of Sandiganbayan is Presiding Justice Hon.
Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, and twenty (20) associate justices.
4.) The Court of Last Resort
 The SUPREME COURT is the “court of last resort” at the top tier of
the judicial hierarchy which determines with finality what the law is
and should be.
 The Court may adjudicate En Banc or in divisions of three, five or
seven Justices each. Currently, the Supreme Court of the Philippines is
composed of one Chief Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices
which decide cases in three divisions of five members except in certain
cases where they sit en banc.
 Under the Constitution, it has supervision over the courts, judges, and
court personnel. Its members sit until retirement at age 70 or unless
sooner removed by reason of ill health, death or conviction after
impeachment.
 Decisions of the Court, whether sitting en banc or in division, are
imbued with authoritativeness and, unless reconsidered by the Court,
are considered part of the law of the land.
 The Supreme Court has both original and appellate jurisdiction. It
exercises original jurisdiction (cases are directly filed with it in the first
instance without first passing through any of the lower courts) over
cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and
over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and
habeas corpus. (Art. VIII, Section 5(1)). It also has original jurisdiction
over writs of amparo, habeas data and the environmental writ of
kalikasan. It exercises appellate jurisdiction to review, revise, reverse,
modify, or affirm final judgments, and orders of the lower courts in:
a. All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty,
international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree,
proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in
question.
b.
All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment,
or toll, or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
c. All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in
issue.
d. All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion
perpetua or higher.
e. All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.
(Art. VIII, Section 5(1), (2))
 The Supreme Court has the power to promulgate rules concerning the
protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice,
and procedure in all courts (Constitution 1987, Art. VIII, Section 5[5]).
These rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for
the speedy disposition of cases, be uniform for all courts of the same
grade, and shall not diminish, increase or modify substantive rights
(Art. VIII, Section 5[5]).
 The Supreme Court, sitting En Banc, has administrative supervision
over all courts and the personnel thereof (Constitution 1987, Art. VIII,
Sec. 6). Justices of the third level courts and judges of the second and
first level courts are appointed by the President of the Philippines from
a shortlist provided by the Judicial and Bar Council. The Supreme
Court can however assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other
stations as public interest may request. Such temporary assignment
shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned
(Constitution 1987, Art. VIII, Sec. 5[3]).
 The Supreme Court has supervision over the Judicial and Bar Council,
which has the principal function of recommending appointees to the
judiciary. (Art. VIII, Sec. 8[5]).
 The Supreme Court appoints all officials and employees of the
Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law (Art. VIII, Sec.
5[6]).
 The Supreme Court can also order a change of venue or place of trial
to avoid a miscarriage of justice (Constitution 1987, Art. VIII, Sec.
5[4]).
 The Supreme Court En Banc has the power to discipline judges of all
the lower courts or order their dismissal by a vote of a majority of the
members who actually took part in the deliberation on the issue in the
case and voted thereon (Constitution 1987, Art. VIII, Sec. 11).
 The Supreme Court has supervision over the mandatory organization
of all lawyers, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. (Art. VIII, Sec.
5[5]).
 It also has the sole power to admit qualified candidates to the practice
of law and has the power to promulgate the rules necessary for that
purpose (Art. VIII, Sec. 5[5]).
 The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the
Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount
appropriated for the previous year and, after approval, shall be
automatically and regularly released (Art. VIII, Sec. 3).
 The Supreme Court is given the authority to promulgate rules
concerning legal assistance to the underprivileged (Art. VIII, Sec. 5[5]).
This would be consistent with the guarantee under Article III, section
11 that “(f)ree access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and
adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of
poverty.”
 It also has the authority to disapprove the rules of procedures of
quasi-judicial bodies; existing rules of procedure shall remain effective
however unless disapproved by the Supreme Court (Art. VIII, Sec.
5[5]); Antonio v. Commission on Elections; 373 Phil. 680 [1999]).
 The Supreme Court, sitting En Banc, is the sole judge of all contests,
relation to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or
Vice-President and may promulgate its rules for the purpose (Art. VII,
Sec. 4). Faced with an appropriate case, the Court En Banc sits as a
Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET).
 The current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is Chief Justice
Diosdado M. Peralta.
Sources:
Court of Appeal, https://ca2.judiciary.gov.ph/faces/page/core/Main.xhtml
accessed Nov. 29, 2020).
(last
Rufus B. Rodriguez, Legal Research, p. 161-163, (2002)
Supreme Court of the Philippines, https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph, (last accessed Nov. 28,
2020).
The Judicial Branch, https://cacj-ajp.org/web/philippines/the-judicial-branch (last
accessed Nov. 28, 2020).
Trivia
Ang symbolo ng ating hudikatura o sistemang
paghuhukom na hinango sa sinaunang diyeta ng
Roma na si Justitia. Mapapansin po natin na may
hawak syang timbang na na sumisimbolo ng pantay
na pag huhukom, espada na sumisimbolo ng
kanyang autoridad, at naka piring ang kanyang
mga mata na sumisimbolo na walang kinikilingan
ang ating hustisya.
Hierarchy of Court
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has principal function is the supervision and administration
of the lower courts throughout the Philippines and all their personnel. The main
functions of the Supreme Court is to ensure legal certainty and uniformity in
decision-making. Although its judgement are not regarded as precedents formally
binding the lower courts, the Supreme Court’s authority provides clarity on the
application of the law, which is an essential safeguard for citizens.
It has the following limitations:
1. Limits on types of issues. Court plays a minor role in dealing with foreign
policy.
2. Limits on types of cases. Court will only consider cases where its decision will
make a difference.
3. Limited control over agenda.
4. Lack of Enforcement Power.
5. Checks and Balances .
The Chief Justice is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of
the Senate and has tenure. His primary functions are to preside over the Supreme
Court in its public session when the court is hearing arguments and during its private
conference when it is discussing and deciding cases.
The Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals hears appeals from the high court in civil cases, and
appeals from the circuit criminal court, the central criminal court and the special
criminal court in criminal cases. It took over the role of the court in criminal cases. It
took over the role of the court of criminal appeal and the court-martial appeal court,
which were abolished. The court of appeals exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction
over all final judgements, decisions, resolutions, orders or awards of regional trial
courts and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commissions, except
for certain cases provided by law. It hears appeals from the High Court in civil
cases, and appeals from the Circuit Criminal Court, the Central Criminal Court and
the Special Criminal Court in criminal cases. It took over the role of the Court of
Criminal Appeal and the Courts-Martial Appeal Court, which were abolished.
The court of appeals, in its opinion, may:
a. Uphold, or affirm, the lower court decision, so the lower court decision would
stand and nothing would change.
b. Reverse, or overturn the lower court decision, in effect granting the
appellant’s wishes.
Regional Trial Courts
The Regional Trial Courts shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over all cases
decided by Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit
Trial Courts in their respective territorial jurisdiction.
Metropolitan Trial Court
Metropolitan Trial Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions
involving amounts at lower limits over civil actions involving amounts at lower
limits. Civil actions involving amounts beyond the threshold of Metropolitan Trial
Courts, as well as actions incapable of pecuniary estimation, are handled at the first
instance by regional trial courts.
Municipal Trial Courts in the Cities
Municipal Trial Courts in the town and cities in the Metropolitan Manila area, as
distinguished from the other political subdivisions in the Philippines, are referred to
as Metropolitan Trial Courts.
Municipal Trial Courts
Municipal Trial Courts has jurisdiction to handle, or have trials, in
serious class of offences, often described as quasi-criminal offences.
the least
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
When the court covers two or more municipalities it is called a Municipal Circuit
Trial Court. The contact of people seeking judicial redness for their grievances
begins with the first and second level trial court.
Sandiganbayan
Sandiganbayan is a special appellate collegial court in the Philippines. The
special court was established by Presidential Decree Number. It is equal in rank to
the Court of Appeals, and consist of fourteen Associate Justices and one Presiding
Justice. The Sandiganbayan shall exercise exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final
judgements, resolutions or orders of regional trial courts, whether in the exercise of
their own original jurisdiction or their appellate jurisdiction as herein provided.
The Shari’ah District Court
The Shari’ah District Court is roughly equivalent to the Regional Trial Court in
the regular and secular Philippine Court System.
The Sharia Circuit Courts
The Sharia Circuit Courts has been given jurisdiction to decide cases involving
offences as defined and punished under the code of Muslim Person Laws of the
Philippines. Last, there is the issuance of a judgement or decision on the case.
Figure 1. Hierarchy of Court
Sources:
2 Milagros Santos-Ong, Legal Research and Citations of the Philippines, p. 27-54, 2d
ed. (2018).
Hierarchy
of
Court
of
the
Philippines,
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=kmK4N4LK&id=A2A71
F6F895397529CD3B1A77F84866BE9224835&thid=OIP.kmK4N4LKDGBadNdosM
nn4wHaFj&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fgeekrepublik.files.wordpress.com%2f2015%
2f08%2fbranches-of-government-21-728.jpg&exph=546&expw=728&q=Hierarchy+
of+Court+of+the+Philippines&simid=608024712248819836&ck=19341EF9EFCD77
B2DBAF1B6134735B1D&selectedIndex=0&FORM=IRPRST&ajaxhist=0
(last
accessed Nov. 30, 2020).
Philippine
Court
System,
https://www.bing.com/search?q=Hierarchy+of+Court+of+the+Philippines&FORM=
HDRSC1 (last accessed Dec. 1, 2020).
Supreme Court of the Philippines, https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/ (last accessed Nov. 29,
2020).
The Judicial Branch Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines,
https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01zH_CxSzgpRyLnTaFKZqPFBMHn
yw%3A1607268422698&source=hp&ei=RvjMX_XdKPCFr7wP_qi6wAs&q=judicia
ry+philippines&oq=Judiciar&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMggIABDJAxCRAjIIC
AAQsQMQkQIyBQgAELEDMgcIABAUEIcCMgIIADIECAAQCjICCAAyAggAM
gIIADICCAA6BQgAEJECOggIABCxAxCDAToLCC4QsQMQxwEQowI6BQguEL
EDOggILhCxAxCDAVD8BligG2CaLGgBcAB4AYABigWIAcATkgELMC4zLjQu
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