Baltazar, Gerard D.

Borreo, Mark Jason

Macuha,Ana Regine Nabuab, Neil
1E

ARTICLE VIII
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1
The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may
be establish by Law.
Judicial power include the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies
involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and 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.
JUDICIAL POWER
It is the power and duty of the courts of justice to apply the laws to contests or disputes
concerning legally recognized rights or duties between the State and private persons, or between
individual litigants in cases properly brought before the judicial tribunals.
SCOPE OF JUDICIAL POWER
Adjudicatory power - duty of courts of justice.
a) To settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and
enforceable
b) To be determine whether there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack of
excess of jurisdiction(infra) on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the
government.(Sec.1, par.2.)
2. Power of judicial review
a) To pass upon validity or constitutionality of the laws of the State and the acts of the other
departments of the government.
b) To interpret them and;
c) To render binding judgement

3. Incidental powers
a) Includes the incidental powers necessary to the effective discharge of the judicial
functions such as the power to punish persons adjudged in contempt.
Judicial power vested in one Supreme Court and in Lower Courts
Judicial power, under the Constitution, is vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts
as may be established by law. (Sec.1.).The judiciary composed of the courts is one of the three
main divisions of power in our government.
Only the Supreme Court is a constitutional court in the sense of being a creation of the
Constitution in the sense of being a creation of the Constitution. All other courts, including
Sandiganbayan are Stationary Courts in the sense they are creation of law.
Organization of courts
1. Regular Courts -the Philippine judicial system consists of a hierarchy of courts resembling a
pyramid with the Supreme Court at the apex. Under the Judiciary Act of 1980, the other courts
are:
a. A Court of Appeals
b. A Regional Trial Court presided
c. A Metropolitan Trial Court
d. Special Courts
e. The Court of Tax Appeals
f. The Sandiganbayan
g. Quasi-judicial Agencies
Importance of the judiciary
In the language of Lord Bryce:
The more clearly touches the welfare and security of the average citizen than his sense that he
can rely on the certain and prompt administration of justice. Law is respected and supported when it is
trusted as the shield of innocence and the impartial guardian of every private civil right. But if the law be
dishonestly administered, the salt has lost its savour; if it be weakly or unfaithfully enforced, the
guarantees of order fail, for it is more by the certainty than by the severity of punishment that offenses are
repressed. If the lamp of justice goes out in the darkness, how great is that darkness.
According to Chancellor James Kent:
Where there is no judicial department to interpret and execute the law, to decide controversies,
and to enforce rights, the government must either perish by its own imbecility or the other departments of
government must usurp powers for the purpose of commanding obedience, to the destruction of liberty
In the words of Mr. Justice Arthur Vanderbilt:
It is the courts and no in the legislature that our citizens primarily feel the keen cutting edge of
the law. If they have respect for the work of the courts, their respect for law will survive the shortcomings
of any other branch of the government; but if they lose their respect for the work of the courts, their
respect for law and order will banish with it to the great detriment of society.

Independence of the Judiciary:
1. Congress may not deprive the Supreme Court of the constitutional powers granted to it(Secs.2,5.)
2. Congress cannot prescribe the manner in which the Supreme Court should sit, and determine the
number of Justices composing the court.(Sec.4[1])
3. The Supreme Court is given the authority to appoint all officials and employees of the
judiciary.(Sec. 5[6])
4. The member of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower courts enjoy security of
tenure.(Sec.11.)
5. Their salaries cannot be decreased during their continuance in office.(Sec.10)
6. The members of the Supreme Court can only be removed through the difficult process of
impeachment.(Art.XI, Sec.2)
7. The judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy.(Sec.3)
SECTION 2
The Congress shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of
the various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases enumerated
in Section 5 here-of.
No laws shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermine the security of
tenure of its Members.

Power Vested to Apportion Jurisdiction of Various Courts Vested in Congress.
3 Limitations:
The Congress cannot admonish or otherwise impair the original and appellate jurisdiction
of the Supreme Court over cases.
1. No law shall be passed reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines security of tenure
guaranteed in Sec 11.
2. No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court without
its advice and concurrence.
Jurisdiction of Courts
Jurisdiction - is the power and authority of a court to hear, try and decide a case.
It may be:
1. General when it is empowered to decide all disputes which may come before it except those
assigned to other courts(e.g. Jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts)
2. Limited when it has authority to hear and determine only a few specified cases(e.g. jurisdiction
of special courts, supra)
3. Original when it can try and decide a case presented for the first time
4. Appellate when it can take a case already heard and decided by a lower court to removed from
the latter by appeal
5. Exclusive when it can try and decide a case which cannot be presented before any other court.
6. Concurrent when any one of two or more courts may take cognizance of a case.
7. Criminal that which exists for the punishment of crime.
8. Civil that which exists when the subject matter is not of a criminal nature
(e.g. collection of debts)
SECTION 3
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.
Fiscal Autonomy
Section 3 seeks to insure the independence the judiciary. The appropriations for the judiciary may
not be reduced as provided above but they may be increased. The constitution takes into account the fact
that the administration f justice, in the past, has always been at the bottom list of priorities in government
budgetary appropriations. The prohibition against reduction by Congress of the appropriation for the
judiciary below the amounts appropriated for the previous year assures, at least, that the minimal finding
requirements of the judiciary will be met.

SECTION 4
(1)The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associates Justices. It
may sit en banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five, or seven members. Any vacancy shall
be filled with ninety days from the occurrence thereof.
(2) All cases involving the constitutionally of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law,
which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, including those involving the constitutionality,
application, or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances,
and other regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who
actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.
(3) Cases or matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence of a
majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and
voted thereon. And in no case, without the concurrence of at least three of such Members.
Composition of the Supreme Court:
The new constitution retained the membership of the supreme court of 15 members including
the Chief Justice under the 1973 Charter to cope with continuing increase in the number of cases brought
about by a growing population.
Sitting Procedure:
The Supreme Court may sit en banc or in division of three (3), five (5), or seven (7) members.
It is now the Supreme Court that decides whether or not it will sit in divisions. On the basis of fifteen (15)
members, the number of division will be five(5), three(3), or two(2), meeting separately. In case of two(2)
divisions, there will be eight(8) members including the Chief Justice in one division, and seven(7) in
other division.
Cases to be Heard or Decided En Banc and Vote Acquired:
1. All classes involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law
shall always be heard and decided by the Supreme Court en banc.
2. All other cases including those involving the constitutionality, application or operation of
presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances and other regulation which
under the rules of courts are required to be heard en banc shall be decided with the concurrence
also of the number provided above(Ibid).
3. In administrative cases where the decision is for the dismissal of a judge of a lower court, the
same majority vote is necessary to order such dismissal.
3. Cases heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the concurrence likewise of the same
majority of the members who are at least three(3) in number but if such required number is not
obtained, the cases shall be decided en banc
4. Cases modifying a doctrine or principle of law laid down by the Court in a decision rendered en
banc or in division shall be decided by the Court sitting en banc.
Executive Agreement is an agreement entered by the President on behalf of the Philippines with the
government of another country and is effective and binding upon the Philippines even without the
concurrence of Congress.
Classes of Executive Agreements
1. Those who made purely as executive acts
2. Those entered into the pursuance of acts of Congress
Power of the Judicial Review- is the power of the courts, ultimately of the Supreme Court, to interpret
the Constitution and to declare any legislative or executive act invalid because it is in conflict with the
fundamental law.
Imitation on Exercise of Power of Judicial Review
1. There must be concurrence of at least a majority of the members who actually took part in the
deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon(Sec.4[2,3])
2. A law must be sustained unless clearly repugnant to the Constitution in view of the presumption
of validity.
3. The question of wisdom, propriety, or necessity of a law, etc., is no open to determination by the
court.
4. Political question are generally addressed o the political branches of the government and are,
therefore, not justifiable.
SECTION 5
Judiciable Question Distinguish from Political Question :
1. Judicial Question is one which affects personal or property rights accorded to every member
of the community in cases properly brought before the judicial tribunals.
2. Political Question is one which under the Constitution.
SECTION 5: The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
1. Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public minister and
consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and
habeas corpus.
2. Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari as the law or the Rules
of Court may provide, final judgment and orders of 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.
3. Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may require. Such
temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned.
4. Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.
5. Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading,
practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the Integrated Bar, and
legal assistance to the underprivileged.
6. Appoints all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law.

Original Jurisdiction of Supreme Court Over Petition for Certiorari
1. Certiorari
2. Prohibitation
3. Mandamus
4. Quo Warranto
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
1. by Appeal
2. by Certiorari
3. A Question of Law
Rule-Making Power of the Supreme Court
1. Protection and Enforcement of Constitutional Rights
2. Pleading
3. Practice of Law
4. Procedure
5. Admission to the Practice of Law or to the Bar
6. Integrated Bar
General purpose of Integrated Bar
a. To elevate the standards of the legal profession
b. To improve the administration of justice
c. To enable the bar too discharge its public responsibility more effective.
7. Legal Assistance to the Underprivileged
Limitation on the Rule-Making Power of the Supreme Court
1. Rule shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases.
2. They shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade
3. They shall no diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights.
Substantive and Procedural Law/Rights Distinguished
1. Substantive Law part of the law creates, defines and regulates rights concerning life, liberty, or
property, or the powers of agencies or instrumentalities for the administration of public affairs.
2. Substantive Rights rights which substantive law declares or rights concerning life, liberty or
property.
SECTION 6
The Supreme Court shall have administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel
thereof.
Administrative Supervision over Lower Court
The Supreme Court exercises administrative supervision over all courts from the Courts of
Appeals down to the lowest Courts and the personnel thereof. This is one fundamental changes introduced
in respect of the judicial system by the 1973 constitution
SECTION 7
(1)No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court or any lower collegiate
court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A Member of the Supreme Court must
be at least forty years of age, and must have for fifteen years or more a judge of a lower court or
engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines.
(2)The Congress shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower courts, but no person
may be appointed judges of thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippine Bar.
(3)A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity
and independence.
Qualification for Member of the Supreme Court and any lower Collegiate Court:
1. He must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines
2. He must be at least forty years of age
3. He must have for fifteen years or more been a judge of a lower house or engaged in the practice
of law in the Philippines
4. He must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.
Qualification of Judges of Lower House
1. Constitutional
a. He must be a citizen
b. He must be a member of the Philippine Bar
c. He must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence
2. Statutory congress is given the authority to prescribe additional qualification for judges of
lower courts.
Administration of Justice
1. Nature compared to other public functions and duties, the dispensing of justice, being
extremely important, is both delicate and singular.
2. Character and Fitness of judges the possession f the legal qualifications prescribed for
appointment to the judiciary and the existence of constitutional safeguards to protect judicial
independence are no assurance that the appointee will discharge the duties of his office
impartially, free from all outside pressure and influence.
3. Judicial standards more exacting there is no place in the judiciary for those who cannot meet
the exacting standards of judicial competence and integrity.

SECTION 8
(1)A judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme
Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a
representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court,
and a representative of the private sector.
(2)The regular members of the council shall be appointed by the President for a term of
four years with the consent of the Commission of Appointments.
(3)The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex officio of the Council and shall
keep record of its proceedings.
(4)The singular Members of the Council shall receive such emoluments as may be
determined by the Supreme Court
(5)The council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the
Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may assign to it.

SECTION 9
The Member of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be appointed by the
President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every
vacancy, Such appointments need no confirmation.

Appointment of Members of the Supreme Court and Judges of Lower Court
1. Non-political process of selection appointment the appointing power is vested alone in the
President.
2. List of at least three years nominees- the President shall appoint from a list of at least 3
nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy.
3. Judicial and Bar Council instead of leaving its creation to legislation, the Constitution itself
creates the council providing at the same time its composition, appointment of the members, their
term of office, their emoluments, and their functions.
SECTION 10
The salary of the Chief Justice and of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and of
judges of lower courts shall be fixed by law. During their continuance in office, their salary shall
not be decreased.
Compensation of Members of the Judiciary
The salary of the members of the Supreme Court and of judges of lower courts shall be fixed by
law. Until Congress shall provide otherwise, the initial annual salary of the Chief Justice is P240,000 and
each Associates Justice, P204,000 after Congress has fixed the compensation f any of them, it may not
reduce the same during his incumbency.

SECTION 11
The Member of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall hold office during good
behaviour until they reach the age of seventy years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties
of their office. The Supreme Court en banc shall have the power to discipline judges of lower
courts, or order their dismissal by a vote of a majority of the Members who actually took part in
the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.
Tenure of Office of Members of the Judiciary
1. Importance of security of tenure section 11 insures the security of tenure of the members of
the Supreme Court and the judges of lower courts.
2. Retirement age the retirement age in 1973 Constitution was reduced from the original
seventy(70) to sixty-five(65) years which is the retirement age of other non-elective government
officials and employees and restored again to seventy(70)
3. Termination of rights to hold office the constitution provides for the impeachment of the
members of the Supreme Court
4. Abolition of office well-known rule that valid abolition of offices is neither removal nor
separation of incumbents.

SECTION 12
The Member of the Supreme Court and of other courts established by law shall not be
designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administration.
The following reason may be given for the prohibition:
1. Such designated violates the doctrine of separation of powers between the judicial and
executive branches of the government.
2. It may compromise the independence of the members in the performance of their judicial
functions
3. With so many cases pending in courts, the practice will result in further delay in their
disposition.
SECTION 13
The conclusion of the Supreme Court in any case submitted to it for decision en banc or in
division shall be reached in consultation before the case is assigned to a Member for the writing of
the opinion of the Court. A certification to this effect signed by the Chief Justice shall be issued and
a copy thereof attached to the record of the case and served upon the parties. Any Member who
took no part, or dissented, or abstained from a decision or resolution must state the reason
therefore. The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate courts.
SECTION 14
No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein clearly and distinctly the
facts and the law on which it is based.
No petition for review or motion for reconsideration of a decision of court shall be refused due
course or denied without stating the legal basis there for.
Decision is the judgement rendered by court of justice other competent tribunal after the presentation of
the respective positions of the parties in an ordinary or criminal case or upon a stipulation of facts upon
which the disposition of the case is based upon.
SECTION 15
(1)All cases or matters filed after the affectivity of this constitution must be decided or
resolved within twenty-four months from date of submission for the Supreme Court, and unless
reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for all lower collegiate courts, and three months for
all other lower courts
(2)A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon filing of the
last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Courts or by the court itself.
(3)Upon expiration of the corresponding period, a certification to this effect signed by the
Chief Justice or the presiding shall forthwith be issued and a copy thereof attached to the record of
the case or matter, and served upon the parties, the certification shall state why a decision or
resolution has no been rendered or issued within said period.
(4)Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the court, without prejudice
to such responsibility as may have been incurred in consequence thereof, shall decide or resolve the
case or matter submitted thereto for determination, without further delay.
Maximum Periods for Rendition of Decision
1. Supreme Court within twenty-four(24) months
2. The Court of Appeals and other collegiate appellate courts- within 12 months unless reduced
by the Supreme Court
3. Lower Court- within 3 months unless reduced by the Supreme Court
Time Limitation Mandatory
The time limitations established above are mandatory. They are intended to ease up the clogging
of court dockets or matter, and served upon implement the right of party litigants to speedy justice under
the familiar aphorism that justice delayed is justice denied. Under Section 5(5), the rules promulgated
by the Supreme Court shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of
cases.
SECTION 16
The Supreme Court shall, within thirty days from the opening of each regular session of the
Congress, submit to the President and the Congress an annual report on the operation and
activities of the Judiciary.
The above provision requires the Supreme Court to submit to the President and Congress an
annual report on the operations and activities of the Judiciary.






REGULAR COURTS (FIRST LEVEL)
1. Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs) established in each metropolitan area by law.
2. Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs) created in every city, which do not form part in
metropolitan area.
3. Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs) established in each of the other cities and municipalities.
4. Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs) created in each circuit comprising such cities and/or
municipalities as grouped by law.
REGIONAL COURTS (SECOND LEVEL)
The second tier, which is established in each region in Philippines. Each RTC is comprised of
several branches, which functions as follows:
1. Acts as trial courts and receives evidences from parties of the case.
2. Exercise jurisdiction of the MeTCs, MTCC, MTCs, MCTCs in their respective territorial
jurisdiction.
COURT OF APPEALS (THIRD LEVEL)
Exercises its powers, duties and functions through 23 divisions. The Court is tasked to:
1. Review cases submitted to RTCs as well as quasijudicial agencies such as Civil service
Commission, National Labor Relations Commission, and the Land Registration Authority.
2. Review death penalty cases as well as decisions of the Office of the Ombudsman
3. May sit en banc, being a collegiate court, only for the purpose of exercising administrative,
ceremonial, or non-adjudicatory functions.
4. Generally resolve cases only on the basis of records but in certain instances, it may also try cases,
conduct hearings, and receive evidences.
SPECIAL COURTS: SANDIGANBAYAN (SB) AND COURT OF TAX OF APPEALS (CTAs)
Philippine Judicial system is also comprised of special courts: the SANDIGANBAYAN, which was
created by Presidential Decree No. 1606 and the Court of Tax Appeals that was established under
Republic Act No. 1125 as amended by RA NO. 9282.
SHARIA COURTS
For Filipino Muslims, these courts are established in Islamic regions and provinces.