The

Constitution

The Constitution of the Philippines ordains

that judicial power shall be vested in one
Supreme Court and such lower courts as
may be established by law.[Section 1, Art. VIII,
1987

Constitution).

The

Law

Under
Philippine
laws
[Judiciary
Reorganization
Act
of
1980
(Batas
Pambansa Bilang 129) which took effect on
January 18, 1983 and other laws] the
Philippine judicial system consists of the
following
courts:
chanroble svirtuallawlibrary

Lower

Courts

I. Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal

Circuit Trial Courts
Every municipality in the Philippines has its
own Municipal Trial Court. It is referred to
as such if it covers only one municipality;
otherwise, it is called Municipal Circuit Trial
Court
if
it
covers
two
or
more
municipalities.
II. Metropolitan Trial Courts and
Municipal Trial Courts in Cities
Municipal Trial Courts in the towns and cities
in the Metropolitan Manila area, as
distinguished from the other political
subdivisions in the Philippines, are referred
to
as
Metropolitan
Trial
Courts.
In cities outside Metropolitan Manila, the
equivalent of the Municipal Trial Courts are
referred to as Municipal Trial Courts in
Cities.
III.

Regional

Trial

Courts

Regional Trial Courts were established

among the thirteen regions in the
Philippines consisting of Regions I to XII and

the National Capital Region (NCR). There

are as many Regional Trial Courts in each
region
as
the
law
mandates.
IV.

Shari'a

Courts

Equivalent to the Regional Trial Courts in

rank are the Shari'a District Courts which
were established in certain specified
provinces in Mindanao where the Muslim
Code on Personal Laws is being enforced.
Equivalent to the Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts are the Shari'a Circuit Courts which
were established in certain municipalities in
Mindanao.
There are five Shari'a District Courts and
fifty
one
Shari'a
Circuit
Courts
in
existence.
V.

Court

of

Tax

Appeals

A special court, the Court of Tax Appeals,

composed of a Presiding Judge and two
Associate Judges, is vested with the
exclusive appellate jurisdiction over appeals
from the decisions of the Commissioner of
Internal Revenue and the Commissioner of
Customs on certain specific issues.
VI.

Sandiganbayan

A special court, the Sandiganbayan,

composed of a Presiding Justice and eight
Associate Justices, has exclusive jurisdiction
over violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act [Republic Act No. 3019], the
Unexplained Wealth Act [Republic Act No.
1379] and other crimes or felonies
committed by public officials and employees
in relation to their office, including those
employees
in
government-owned
or
controlled
corporations.
VII.

Court

of

Appeals

The Court of Appeals, composed of one

Presiding Justice and sixty eight Associate

Justices is vested with jurisdiction over
appeals from the decisions of the Regional
Trial Courts and certain quasi-judicial
agencies,
boards
or
commissions.
The Highest Court - Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest Court in
the Philippines. There is only one Supreme
Court composed of one Chief Justice and
fourteen Associate Justices. It is the final
arbiter of any and all judicial issues. When
so deciding, it may sit en banc or in
divisions of three, five or seven members.

PHILIPPINE COURT SYSTEM

Review Courts

Supreme Court

Court of Appeals

Trial Courts

Regional Trial Court

Provincial Regional Trial Court

Metro Manila Regional Trial Court

Metropolitan Trial Court

Municipal Trial Court

Municipal Circuit Trial Court

Special Courts

Court of Tax Appeals

Sandiganbayan

Jurisdiction[edit]
Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, and Republic Act No. 7691, or An Act
Expanding the Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts
of 1994, as amended, gave the RTCs the following jurisdiction: [3][4]

Civil[edit]
(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;
(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest therein, where the
assessed value of the property involved exceeds Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000,00) or, for civil actions in Metro
Manila, where such value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and
unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the Metropolitan Trial
Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.
(3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds One hundred thousand
pesos (P100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila, where such demand or claim exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00).
(4) In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate exceeds One hundred
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila, where such gross value exceeds Two
Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations.
(6) In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising jurisdiction of any
court, tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.
(7) In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile and
Domestic Relations Court and of the Court of Agrarian Relations as now provided by law.
(8) In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation
expenses, and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds One hundred thousand pesos
(P100,000.00) or, in such other cases in Metro Manila, where the demand exclusive of the abovementioned items
exceeds Two Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00).

Criminal[edit]
Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in all criminal cases not within the exclusive
jurisdiction of any court, tribunal or body, except those now falling under the exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction of
the Sandiganbayan which shall hereafter be exclusively taken cognizance of by the latter. RTC Criminal Courts
typically try cases of serious crimes like murder and robbery, as opposed to petty crimes, which reduce the burden
of court cases.

THE JUDICIARY BRANCH

In a democracy, the judiciary is the final bulwark of liberty. It protects the poor and
the weak against oppression by the wealthy and the influential. It protects the right
to life, property, and the pursuit of happiness against the tyranny of violence, or
abusive power, or unscrupulous ambitions.
The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, as well as in lower courts as my
he established by law. The inferior courts include: the Court of Appeals, the Court of
Tax Appeals; the Regional Trial Courts the Metropolitan Trial Courts; and the
Sandigan bayan, and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Judicial power includes the authority of the courts to hear and settle disputes. Such
disputes may involve conflicts between or among private persons. They may also be
between private citizens and the government or between one agency of the
government and other.
The Supreme Court is the highest tribunal in the Philippines. It consists of the Chief
Justice and 14 Associate Justices, appointed by the following are the qualifications
to become a member of the Supreme Court:
1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. at least 40 years of age;
3. a judge in a court of record for at least 15 years or engaged in the practice of law in
the Philippines for the same period; and
4. a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. They hold
office during good behavior until they reach the age of 70 years or become
incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. They can be removed only by
impeachment. Grounds for impeachment include conviction of culpable violation of
the Philippine Constitution, treason, bribery, other high crimes, or graft and
corruption.

The Supreme Court has the following powers:

1. Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, and over petitons for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo
warranto, and habeas corpus.
2. Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm an appeal for certiorari, final judgements,
and decrees of inferior courts.
3. Assign temporariky judges of inferior courts to other stations as public interest many
require;

4. Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

5. Promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the
admission to practice of law, and the integratin of the Bar.
6. Exercise administrative supervision over all the courts of justice and their personnel.
7. Discipline judges of inferior courts and, by a vote of at least eight justices, order their
dismissal.
8. Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary, in accordance with the Civil
Service Law.

The Supreme Court of the Philippines The Court of Appeals of the Philippines Court
of Tax Appeals The Regional Trial Courts Metropolitan Trial Courts Sandiganbayan
Office of the Ombudsman

What's New??
Although many Filipinos percieve it as corrupt, the justice system only needs some
repair and adjustment, not an overhaul, to make it more effective and responsive to
people's needs.
To effect the changes, autorithies must act decisively on charges of corruption within
the system and reform the legal education to stress integrity and social responsibility
among future lawyers. Dealing with corruption is clearly a priority in effecting reforms
in the system.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines Padre Faura Street, Cor. Tat Avenue, Ermita,
1000, Manila Tel. Nos. : 521-18-36/521-80-22/523-13-06 Fax Nos. : 522-32-11/62474-96
Chief Justice - Hon. Andres R. Narvasa
Associates Justices
1. Hon. Josue N. Bellosillo
2. Hon. Hilario G. Daide, Jr.
3. Hon. Ricardo J. Francisco
4. Hon. Regino C. Hermosisima, Jr.
5. Hon. Santiago M. Kapunan

6. Hon. Jose A. R. Melo

7. Hon. Vicente J. Mendoza
8. Hon. Teodoro R. Padilla
9. Hon. Artemio V. Panganiban
10.Hon. Reynato S. Puno
11.Hon. Florenz D. Regalado
12.Hon. Flerida Ruth P. Romero
13.Hon. Jose P. Torres, Jr.
14.Hon. Jose C. Vitug

Supreme Court Officials:

Court Administrator Hon. Ernani Cruz Pano
Judicial and Bar Council Supreme Court
Annex Building, Padre Faura St., Ermita Manila
Tel. Nos. : 524-73-09
Fax No. : 524-73-09

This Council is composed of the Chief Justice as ex-officio Chairman, the Secretary
of Justice, a representative of Congress as ex-officio member, a representative of
the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, a professor of law, a retired member of the
Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector. Its principal function is to
recommend appointees to the judiciary. It may also exercise such other functions
and duties as may be assigne by the Supreme Court.
Chairman Hon.Andres R. Narvasa
Judiciary Planning, Development, and Implementation Office
Old Supreme Court Building, Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila Tel
Nos. : 524-77-89/528-19-56

Chairman Hon.Andres R. Narvasa

What's New??
The Supreme Court acquitted 35 fishermen charged with cyanide fishing and said
the law enforcers themselves wer the one guilty.
The 25-page decision overturned an earlier ruling issued by a lower court -- and
affirmed by the Court of Appeals -- which sentenced the group, including two
foreigners, to a prison term of more than eight years and ordered the confiscation of
the "mother boat" and 28 small fiberglass ones.
"Apparently, the members of the PNP Maritime Command and the Task Force
Bantay Dagat were the one engaged in an illegal fishing expedition," said Justice
Reynaldo Puno, who wrote the decision.
Court of Appeals of the Philippines
Maria Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila
Tel Nos. : 524-12-41
Fax No. : 526-58-34

The Court of Appeals, with is composed of a Presiding Justice and 50 Associate

Justices, operates in 17 divisions, each comprising three members. It has
jurisdiction in all cases appealed from the Regional Trial Courts, which are not
required to be brought to the Supreme Court. It can also issue writs of mandamus,
prohibition, inhunction, certiorari and habeas corpus.
The members of this court have the same qualifications as those of the Supreme
Court. They can be removed only by impeachment.
Presiding Justice Hon.Nathaniel P. De Pano

What's New??
The Court of Appeals upheld the constitutionality of an executive order that provided
tax and duty-free privileges to residents and business enterprises inside the former
US naval base in Subic, Zambales.
In an 18 page decision, the court's special 13th division dismissed the petition of
three Olongapo residents who contended that Executive Order (EO) No. 97-A
violated the equal-protection clause of the Constitution. Said EO was issued by
President Ramos on June 19, 1994.

Court of Tax Appeals

29 Hizon Laboratory Bldg., Quezon Avenue, Quezon City
Tel. Nos. : 712-46-09/712-46-31
Fax Nos. : 712-46-31/741-14-59

Composed of a Presiding Judge and two Associate Judges -- all appointed by the
President -- this court is a highly specialized agency which revies tax cases and
expedites the collection of taxes. It has exclusive jurisdiction to review the decisions
of the commissioners of the bureaus of Customs and Internal Revenue and the
various provincial and city Boards of Assessments.
The decision of this court is appealable to the Supreme Court.
Presiding Judge Hon. Ernesto D. Acosta
The Regional Trial Courts (RTC's)

There are 15 RTCs established all over the country, based on population. These
courts replaced the Courts of First Instance.
These courts are charged with the adjudication of criminal, civil, juvenile, and
domestic relations, and agrarian and urban land reform cases which do not fall
under the jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies and agencies.

What's New??
The Supreme Court ordered the government to justify the continued detention of
militant labor leader, Filemon "Popoy" Lagman on murder charges.
This developed as the Marikina Regional Trial Court postponed the arraignment on
the charge against Lagman, pending the resolution of a habeas corpus petition
which his lawyer filed before the high tribunal.
Metropolitan Trial Courts

These courts adjudicate legal controversies which include criminal cases not
cognizable by the RTCs; cases in violation of ordinances punishable by
imprisonment of not exceeding four years and two months or a fine of not more than
P4,000.00 and civil actions; and probate proceedings where the value of property or
demand does not exceed P20,000.00
These courts took the place of the city and Municipal Circuit Courts.

The decisions of these courts are appealable to the Regional Trial courts.
Sandiganbayan
Ground Floor, Old Legislative Building, Executive House
Taft Avenue, 1000, Ermita, Manila
Tel. Nos. : 527-11-64/527-12-52
Fax No. : 527-11-55

The Sandiganbayan, composed of a Presiding Justice and eight Associate Justices,

has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and
other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in
government-owned and controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be
determined by law.
This is an entirely new court established especially to control graft and corruption
committed by public officials.
Presiding Justice Hon.Francis E. Garchitorena

What's New??
The government stands to lose $2 billion if the Sandiganbayan issues a favorable
decision on the aircraft deal forged by the PCGG with US-based firm.
The deal -- involving the sale of an F-50 jet to the Walter Fuller Aircraft Sales Corp.
-- recently triggered a controversy when Hank Hendricson, a political counselor of
the US Embassy, tried to bully Sandiganbayan presiding justice Francis Gachitorena
into issuing a favorable decision.
Office of the Ombudsman
MWSS Bldg., 176 Arroceros Street, Manila
Tel. Nos. : 528-06-47/528-06-79/528-14-76
Fax No. : 528-14-16

This office is an independent body which receives and investigates complaints

relative to public officials, including government-owned and controlled corporations.
It is composed of the Ombudsman, known as the Tanodbayan; one overall Deputy;
and least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. A separate Deputy

for the military establisments is likewise appointed.

The mission of Ombudsman is to promote the highest standards of ethics and
efficiency in the government and to petition the government for the redress of
grievances and complaints against public officials and employees.
Ombudsman Aniano A. Desierto
Overall Deputy Ombudsman Francisco A. Villa
Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Jesus F. Guerrero
Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Arturo C. Mojica
Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Margarito Gervacio, Jr.
Deputy Ombudsman for Military Manuel B. Casaclang
Special Prosecutor- Leonardo Tamayo

What's New??
The Office of the Ombudsman will investigate three former DECS secretaries -Lourdes Quisumbing, Isidro Carino, and Armand Fabella, for the alleged misuse of
P506.9 million in funds intended for the printing and distribution of DECS's
instructional materials from 1987 to 1994.
The investigation would be based on the 1995 DECS audit report released by the
COA. The report showed that funds intended for the printing of books and other
instructional materials needed by the different regions of DECS were not utilized in
accordance with the law.

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Republic Act No. 7691

March 25, 1994

AN ACT EXPANDING THE JURISDICTION OF THE METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL
COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE BATAS PAMBANSA,
BLG. 129, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled::
Section 1. Section 19 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, otherwise known as the "Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980",
is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 19. Jurisdiction in civil cases. Regional Trial Courts shall exercise exclusive original jurisdiction.
"(1) In all civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation;
"(2) In all civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of, real property, or any interest
therein, where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds Twenty thousand pesos
(P20,000,00) or, for civil actions in Metro Manila, where such value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings, original
jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts;
"(3) In all actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds One
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in Metro Manila, where such demand or claim exceeds
Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00);
"(4) In all matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross value of the estate exceeds
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in probate matters in Metro Manila, where such
gross value exceeds Two Hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00);
"(5) In all actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations;
"(6) In all cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising
jurisdiction of any court, tribunal, person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions;
"(7) In all civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a
Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of the Court of Agrarian Relations as now provided by
law; and
"(8) In all other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind,
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds
One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or, in such other cases in Metro Manila, where the
demand exclusive of the abovementioned items exceeds Two Hundred thousand pesos
(P200,000.00)."
Section 2. Section 32 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 32. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
Criminal Cases. Except in cases falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of Regional Trial Courts
and of the Sandiganbayan, the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts shall exercise:

"(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances committed within
their respective territorial jurisdiction; and
"(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over all offenses punishable with imprisonment not exceeding six
(6) years irrespective of the amount of fine, and regardless of other imposable accessory or other
penalties, including the civil liability arising from such offenses or predicated thereon, irrespective of
kind, nature, value or amount thereof: Provided, however, That in offenses involving damage to
property through criminal negligence, they shall have exclusive original jurisdiction thereof."
Section 3. Section 33 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 33. Jurisdiction of Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts in
Civil Cases. Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts shall
exercise:
"(1) Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings, testate and intestate,
including the grant of provisional remedies in proper cases, where the value of the personal property,
estate, or amount of the demand does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or,
in Metro Manila where such personal property, estate, or amount of the demand does not exceed
Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00), exclusive of interest, damages of whatever kind,
attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs, the amount of which must be specifically alleged:
Provided, That interest, damages of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and costs
shall be included in the determination of the filing fees: Provided, further, That where there are
several claims or causes of actions between the same or different parties, embodied in the same
complaint, the amount of the demand shall be the totality of the claims in all the causes of action,
irrespective of whether the causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions;
"(2) Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer: Provided, That
when, in such cases, the defendant raises the questions of ownership in his pleadings and the
question of possession cannot be resolved without deciding the issue of ownership, the issue of
ownership shall be resolved only to determine the issue of possession; and
"(3) Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve title to, or possession of, real
property, or any interest therein where the assessed value of the property or interest therein does
not exceed Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00) or, in civil actions in Metro Manila, where such
assessed value does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) exclusive of interest, damages
of whatever kind, attorney's fees, litigation expenses and costs: Provided, That in cases of land not
declared for taxation purposes, the value of such property shall be determined by the assessed
value of the adjacent lots."
Section 4. Section 34 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows:
"Sec. 34. Delegated Jurisdiction in Cadastral and Land Registration Cases. Metropolitan Trial Courts,
Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts may be assigned by the Supreme Court to hear
and determine cadastral or land registration cases covering lots where there is no controversy or opposition,
or contested lots where the value of which does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00),
such value to be ascertained by the affidavit of the claimant or by agreement of the respective claimants if
there are more than one, or from the corresponding tax declaration of the real property. Their decisions in
these cases shall be appealable in the same manner as decisions of the Regional Trial Courts."

Section 5. After five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act, the jurisdictional amounts mentioned in Sec. 19(3), (4),
and (8); and Sec. 33(1) of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 as amended by this Act, shall be adjusted to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00). Five (5) years thereafter, such jurisdictional amounts shall be adjusted further to
Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00): Provided, however, That in the case of Metro Manila, the
abovementioned jurisdictional amounts shall be adjusted after five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to Four
hundred thousand pesos (P400,000.00).
Section 6. All laws, decrees, and orders inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall be considered amended or
modified accordingly.
Section 7. The provisions of this Act shall apply to all civil cases that have not yet reached the pre-trial stage.
However, by agreement of all the parties, civil cases cognizable by municipal and metropolitan courts by the
provisions of this Act may be transferred from the Regional Trial Courts to the latter. The executive judge of the
appropriate Regional Trial Courts shall define the administrative procedure of transferring the cases affected by the
redefinition of jurisdiction to the Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.
Section 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved: March 25, 1994