The Philippine judiciary, as outlined in Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, consists of a Supreme Court and lower courts that settle legal disputes and review government actions for constitutional compliance. The judicial system includes various types of courts such as municipal trial courts, regional trial courts, and special courts like the Sandiganbayan, each with distinct jurisdictions. The Supreme Court is the highest authority, with both administrative and judicial functions, and is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices, appointed under specific qualifications and conditions.

1. The Judicial Branch
of Government - The
Philippine Judiciary

2. Essential Features of the Judicial Branch of
Philippine Government
As indicated in Article Vlll of the 1987 Philippine Constitution as of July 15,
2020 at the webpage of The Official Gazette of the Philippine Government,
the judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower
courts as may be established by law. As defined in the same article, judicial
power includes 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. The role of judiciary is important because
this branch interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases,
and decides if laws violate the Constitution.
According to the Judiciary Organization Act of 1980, the Philippine judicial
system is composed of lower courts and the highest court.

3. I. Lower Courts
Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Court
Every municipality in the Philippines has a municipal trial court. It is called municipal
court if it covers only one municipality; it is called municipal circuit court if it covers two
or more municipalities.
Metropolitan Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities
Municipal trial courts inside the Metropolitan Area are called Metropolitan trial courts.
Municipal trial courts in cities outside Metropolitan Manila are called Municipal trial
courts in cities.

4. Regional Trial Courts (RTC)
Regional Trial Courts are called second level courts and are divided into thirteen (13) judicial regions
(further subdivided into several brunches). RTCs are called appellate courts because thes e courts hear
appeals and review the decision of lower courts.
Shari's courts
Shari'a Courts settle legal conflicts between Mustim Filipinos in the sphere of
customary and personal laws.
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over appeals from the decision of the Regional Trial Courts.
Sandiganbayan
This is a special court that has exclusive jurisdiction on committed violations of anti-graft and corruption
laws by public officials and employees in relation to their position and office.

5. II. Highest Court
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the Philippines. It is the final court
that decides in any and all judicial issues. It can review, revise, reverse,
modify, or affirm, final judgments and orders of the lower court. The most
common reason by which a case reaches the Supreme Court is through an
appeal from a decision rendered by a lower court. Appealed cases generally
originate from cases tried in the trial courts. The Supreme Court does not
entertain cases originally filed before it that should have been filed first with
the trial courts.
Functions of the Supreme Court
There are two categories in the functions of the Supreme Court:
administrative and judicial.

6. Administrative Functions
-Supervision and control over the judicial branch of the government and its
employees.
-Declare rules for the admission into the practice of law, for legal assistance
to the underprivileged, and the procedural rules to be observed in all courts
throughout the country.

7. Judicial Functions
- Settlement of actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable
and enforceable.
- Judicial Review or the power of the Supreme Court to inquire into the
constitutionality of the acts of both the executive and legislative branches of
government.
Composition of Supreme Court
As indicated in Article VIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Supreme Court is
composed of one (1) Chief justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices. The Philippines
President appoints members of the judiciary from a list submitted by the Judicial and Bar
Council which is under the supervision Supreme Court.
Qualifications
The following are the requirements to be appointed to the Supreme Court:
-Natural-born citizen of the Philippines
-At least 50 years old at the time of appointment
-Must have been a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the
country for 15 years or more
-Must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.

8. Tenure of Service
The term of office of Supreme Court members is not fixed. Their tenure
during good behavior is until they reach seventy years old or become
incapacitated ton perform their duties. They can be removed from their
position only through impeachment.
III. Katarungang Pambarangay
As of July 15, 2020, The Official Gazette of the Philippine Government
mentioned under the topic of Philippine Judiciary the existence of
Katarungang Pambarangay. Through Katarungang Pambarangay Law
(Presidential Decree No. 1508), a system of amicably settling disputes at the
barangay level was established. It aims to promotel the speedy
administration of justice by easing the congestion of court dockets. Thel
court does not take cognizance of cases filed if they are not filed first with
thel Katarungang Pambarangay.