JURISDICTION  All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.

 Assign temporarily judges of lower court to other stations as public

interest may require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six
months without the consent of the judge concerned.

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

 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. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive
procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts
the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase or modify substantive rights.
Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain
effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.

 Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the
Civil Service Law (Sec. 5, id.).

CA

The Court of Appeals (CA) was created by Commonwealth Act No. 3 on

December 31, 1935, following the 1935 Constitution (Art. VIII, Sec. 1). It
began operating on February 1, 1936, with 11 justices, led by Justice
Pedro Concepcion as the first Presiding Justice. Its composition grew over
time:

 1938: Increased to 15 justices.

 1942: Increased to 17 justices under Executive Order No. 4.

 1944: Regionalized into five District Courts of Appeals for Northern,

Central, and Southern Luzon, Manila, and Visayas-Mindanao.

 1945: Abolished by President Osmeña due to abnormal conditions

(Executive Order No. 37).

The CA was re-established on October 4, 1946, under Republic Act No. 52,
with one Presiding Justice and 15 Associate Justices. Its size continued to
grow:

 Republic Act No. 1605: Increased to 18 justices.

 Republic Act No. 5204: Increased to 24 justices.

 Presidential Decree No. 1482: Increased to 1 Presiding Justice and

34 Associate Justices.
Judicial power in the Philippines is held by the Supreme Court and lower
courts, as allowed by law (Art. VIII, Sec. 1). The judiciary has fiscal  Batas Pambansa Blg. 129: Increased to 50 justices.
autonomy, meaning its budget cannot be reduced by Congress below the  Republic Act No. 8246: Increased to 69 justices and established CA
previous year’s allocation. Once approved, the funds must be divisions in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro.
automatically and regularly released (Art. VIII, Sec. 3). However, there’s
ongoing debate about how this autonomy aligns with the government’s The CA was renamed the Intermediate Appellate Court under Batas
push for “Transparency and Accountability,” especially regarding unused Pambansa Blg. 129 but later reverted to its original name through
funds for vacant positions in agencies like Congress, the Judiciary, Executive Order No. 33.
Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman.
Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals (under Batas Pambansa Blg.
Before the Spanish colonization in 1521, barangay chiefs acted as judges. 129, as amended):
During the early Spanish period, judicial authority was given to Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi, the first governor-general, who managed civil and 1. Original Jurisdiction
criminal cases based on a Royal Order dated August 14, 1569. Later, the
Issue writs (e.g., mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, quo
Royal Audiencia (the first supreme court) was established on May 5, 1583,
warranto) and related processes, even in aid of its appellate role.
with a president, four justices, and a fiscal (prosecutor).
2. Exclusive Original Jurisdiction
Under the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court consists of a Chief
Justice and 14 Associate Justices who serve until they turn 70. The Court Handle cases seeking to annul judgments of Regional Trial Courts (RTCs).
can sit as a full bench (En Banc) or in three divisions of five members
each. The President must fill any vacancy within 90 days (Art. VIII, Sec. 3. Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction
4). Certain cases must be heard En Banc, while others can be handled by
divisions (Art. VIII, Sec. 4). Review final decisions, resolutions, and orders from RTCs and quasi-judicial
bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission, Social Security
The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 moved the administrative control Commission, Employees Compensation Commission, and Civil Service
of courts and their personnel from the Department of Justice to the Commission, unless the Supreme Court has appellate jurisdiction under the
Supreme Court. This was later confirmed by the 1987 Constitution (Art. Constitution or specific laws like the Labor Code.
VIII, Sec. 6).
SB
Supreme Court
The Anti-Graft Court, or Sandiganbayan, was created to maintain integrity,
According to the 1987 Constitution, Art. VIII, sec. 5, The Supreme Court honesty and efficiency in the bureaucracy and weed out misfits and
exercises the following powers: undesirables in government service (1973 Constitution (Art. XIII, sec. 5) and
1987 Constitution (Art. XI, sec. 4)). It was restructured by Presidential
 Exercise jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public Decree No. 1606 as amended by Republic Act No. 8249. It is composed of a
ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices still in five Divisions of
mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus. three (3) Justices each.
 Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the The Supreme Court, acting on the recommendation of the Committee on
law or the Rules of Court may provide final judgments and orders of lower Revision of the Rules of Court, resolved with modification the Revised
courts in: Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan on August 28, 2002 (A.M. No. 02-6-07—
SB)
 All cases on which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty,
international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree,
proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in question. CTA
 All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or Created by Republic Act No. 1125 on June 16, 1954, it serves as an appellate
any penalty imposed in relation thereto. court to review tax cases. Under Republic Act No. 9282, its jurisdiction has
been expanded where it now enjoys the same level as the Court of Appeals.
 All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue. This law has doubled its membership, from three to six justices.

 All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or The Supreme Court acting on the recommendation of the Committee on
higher. Revision of the Rules of Court resolved to approve the Revised Rules of the
Court of Tax Appeals (A.M. No. 05-11-07-CTA) and amended by a resolution  All cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court, tribunal,
of the Court En Banc on November 22, 2005. person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions;

The Court of Tax Appeals has exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by  All civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive
appeal the following: original jurisdiction of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of
the Court of Agrarian Relations as now provided by law; and
 Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving  All other cases in which the demand, exclusive of interest, damages of
disputed, assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or whatever kind, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses and costs or the
other charges, penalties imposed in relation thereto, or other matters value of the property in controversy subject to the threshold or, in
arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws such other cases in Metro Manila, where the demand, exclusive of the
administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue; above- mentioned items subject to the threshold;
 In actions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving Exercise original jurisdiction in other cases as follows:
disputed assessments, refunds of internal revenue taxes, fees or other
charges, penalties in relation thereto, or other matters arising under  The issuance of writs of certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto,
the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by habeas corpus, and injunction which may be enforced in any part of their
the Bureau of Internal Revenue, where the National Internal Revenue respective regions; and
Code provides a specific period of action, in which case the inaction
shall be deemed a denial;  Actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls.

 Decisions, orders or resolutions of the Regional Trial Courts in local tax  They shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over MeTCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and
cases originally decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their MCTCs in their respective territorial jurisdiction.
original or appellate jurisdiction;
MTCs
 Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for
customs duties, fees, or other money charges; seizure, detention or These are called the first level courts and are established in every city and
release of property affected; fines, forfeitures or other penalties municipality.
imposed in relation thereto; or other matters arising under the
Customs Law or other laws administered by the Bureau of Customs. Their jurisdiction is outlined in Sections 33 and 35 of Batas Pambansa Blg.
129.
 Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals in the exercise of
its appellate jurisdiction over cases involving the assessment and Expanded by special laws: Republic Act Nos. 9276, 9252, 9305, 9306, and
taxation of real property originally decided by the provincial or city 9308.
board of assessment appeals;
MeTCs, MTCCs, MTCs, and MCTCs shall exercise original jurisdiction in Civil
 Decisions of the Secretary of Finance on customs cases elevated to him Cases as provided for in section 33 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 is as follows:
automatically for review from decisions of the Commissioner of
Jurisdiction
Customs which are adverse to the Government under Section 2315 of
the Tariff and Customs Code; Civil Cases
 Decisions of the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of nonagricultural
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction
product, commodity or article, and the Secretary of Agriculture in the
case of agricultural product, commodity or article, involving dumping 1. Civil Actions and Probate Proceedings
and countervailing duties under Section 301 and 302, respectively, of
the Tariff and Customs Code, and safeguard measures under R.A. No. Includes testate and intestate probate cases (e.g., wills).
8800, where either party may appeal the decision to impose or not to
impose said duties. Covers cases involving personal property where the value is within a certain
threshold:
It also has jurisdiction over cases involving criminal offenses as herein provided:
Metro Manila: Up to ₱50,000.
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction
Outside Metro Manila: Up to ₱20,000.
 Criminal offenses under the NIRC, Tariff and Customs Code, or laws
administered by the BIR or Bureau of Customs. Threshold excludes interest, damages, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses,
and costs. However, these are considered in calculating filing fees.
 Exception: Cases involving tax claims below ₱1,000,000 or without a
specified amount are tried by regular courts (CTA jurisdiction is If multiple claims or causes of action arise from the same or different
appellate). transactions, the total value of all claims is used.
 Civil and criminal actions for tax recovery must be filed and 2. Forcible Entry and Unlawful Detainer Cases
determined together by the CTA.
These involve disputes over possession of property.
Exclusive Appellate Jurisdiction
If the defendant raises ownership issues, the court may resolve ownership
 Appeals from RTC judgments, resolutions, or orders in tax collection
only to determine possession.
cases.

 Petitions for review of RTC decisions in their appellate jurisdiction 3. Title and Possession of Real Property
over tax cases originally decided by:
Jurisdiction over cases involving the title, possession, or any interest in real
a. Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs). property:

b. Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs). Metro Manila: Assessed value does not exceed ₱50,000.

c. Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs). Outside Metro Manila: Assessed value does not exceed ₱20,000.

RTCs For land not declared for taxation, the assessed value of adjacent lots will
be used.
The Regional Trial Courts’ jurisdictions are defined as follows:

Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in Civil Cases as follows: Sharia

 All civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of Special courts created by Section 137 of Presidential Decree No. 1083 (Code
pecuniary estimation; of Muslim Personal Laws).
 All civil actions which involve the title to, or possession of real property,
Judges' Qualifications
or any interest therein, where the assessed value of the property
involved exceeds twenty thousand pesos (P 20,000.00) or, civil actions
 Must meet all qualifications of a Regional Trial Court judge.
in Metro Manila, where such value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P
50,000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer
 Must also have expertise in Islamic law and jurisprudence.
of lands or buildings, original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon
the MeTCs, MTCs, and MCTCs;
Shari’a District Courts (SDC)
 All actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or
claim, subject to the threshold; Exclusive Jurisdiction (Article 143, Paragraph 1)

 All matters of probate, both testate and intestate, where the gross  Custody, Guardianship, Legitimacy, Paternity, and Filiation
value of the estate subject to the threshold or, in probate matters in
Metro Manila, where such gross value subject to the threshold; Cases arising under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws.

 All actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations;  Estates of Deceased Muslims
Settlement, probate of wills, appointment of administrators or executors,
regardless of property value. Oversight by the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court issues rules and regulations to guide these agencies in
 Declarations performing their judicial functions when necessary.

Declaration of absence or death. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Reorganization and Powers
Cancellation or correction of entries in Muslim registries. Republic Act No. 8799 (Securities Regulation Code) reorganized the SEC and
defined its powers and functions (Chapter II, Section 5).
 Customary Contracts
The SEC retains jurisdiction over cases previously outlined in Section 5 of
Actions arising from contracts between Muslims, unless another governing Presidential Decree No. 902-A, as stated in Section 5.2 of RA 8799.
law is specified.
Intra-Corporate Disputes
 Auxiliary Writs and Processes The Supreme Court issued procedural rules for handling intra-corporate
controversies under RA 8799 (A.M. No. 01-2-04-SC).
Mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpus, etc., in aid of
appellate jurisdiction. Other Judicial Procedures

Original Jurisdiction (Article 143, Paragraph 2) 1. Katarungang Pambarangay

Created by Presidential Decree No. 1508 (Katarungang Pambarangay Law)

 Special Petitions by Muslims
on December 11, 1978.
Constitution of a family home, change of name, commitment of an insane Provides a system for amicably settling disputes at the barangay level to:
person to an asylum.
a. Promote speedy justice.
 Personal and Real Actions
b. Reduce congestion in court dockets.
All other cases between Muslims not listed above, except forcible entry and
Disputes must first be filed with the Katarungang Pambarangay before
unlawful detainer (handled by MTCs).
being brought to court.
 Special Civil Actions Governed by rules in the Local Government Code, Title I, Chapter 7,
Sections 339-422.
Interpleader or declaratory relief involving Muslims or Muslim-owned
property. 2. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) System

Appellate Jurisdiction (Article 144) Established by Republic Act No. 9285.

a. Promote speedy and impartial justice.

The SDC hears appeals from cases decided by Shari’a Circuit Courts (SCC)
within its territory. b. Decongest court dockets.

Shari’a Circuit Courts (SCC) Includes mediation, conciliation, arbitration, or a combination of these
methods.
Exclusive Original Jurisdiction (Article 155)
Key Rules and Regulations:
 Criminal Offenses
 Special Rules of Court on ADR: Approved by the Supreme Court on
October 30, 2009 (A.M. No. 07-11-08-SC).
Offenses defined and punished under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws.
 DOJ Department Circular No. 98: Implementing rules for the ADR
 Civil Disputes Between Muslims or Couples Married under Islamic Law Act of 2004, issued December 4, 2009.

a. Marriage and divorce disputes recognized under the Code.  Rules on Court-Annexed Family Mediation: Approved by the
Supreme Court on June 22, 2010, amending prior rules on
b. Betrothal or breach of contract to marry. mediation (A.M. No. 10-4-16-SC).

c. Customary dower (mahr). 3. Role of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA)

By Supreme Court En Banc Resolution dated October 16, 2001

d. Property disposition and distribution upon divorce.
(Administrative Matter No. 01-10-5-SC-PHILJA).
e. Maintenance, support, and consolatory gifts (mut’a). Serves as the Supreme Court's component unit for:

f. Restitution of marital rights. a. Court-referred mediation cases.

 Communal Property Disputes b. Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.

Philippine Mediation Center: Established for handling mediation cases.

Cases involving communal properties.
4. Arbitration Under Muslim Law

Agama Arbitration Council: Muslim law provides its own arbitration body
Quasi courts for resolving disputes in accordance with Islamic principles.
Quasi-Judicial Agencies and Their Role
Quasi-judicial agencies are government bodies empowered by law to exercise
judicial functions, often resolving disputes and enforcing regulations.

Examples of Quasi-Judicial Agencies

1. Office of the President
2. Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
3. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
4. National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC)
5. National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
6. Employees Compensation Commission (ECC)
7. Insurance Commission (IC)
8. Construction Industry Arbitration Commission (CIAC)
9. Philippine Atomic Energy Commission
10. Social Security System (SSS)
11. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
12. Bureau of Patents, Trademarks, and Technology
13. National Conciliation Mediation Board (NCMB)
14. Land Registration Authority (LRA)
15. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
16. Central Board of Assessment Appeals (CBAA)
17. National Electrification Administration (NEA)
18. Energy Regulatory Board (ERB)
19. Agricultural Inventions Board
20. Board of Investments (BOI)