The document discusses the Philippine court system and its relationship to the constitution. It begins with definitions of key terms like constitution and courts. It then describes the different levels of courts in the Philippine system from the highest court, the Supreme Court, down to first level courts like the municipal trial courts. The powers and jurisdiction of each court level is explained. Examples of typical cases heard by different courts are also provided. The document aims to outline the structure and roles of the various courts in the Philippine legal system and how they relate to interpreting and upholding the constitution.

1. Constitution
and
Courts
CANDELARIO, JOY CHRISTINE G.
MAYOCYOC, RONA MAE L.

2. Constitution
The basic principles and laws of a
nation, state, or social group that
determine the powers and duties of
the government and guarantee
certain rights to the people in it. It is
a written instrument embodying the
rules of a political or social
organization

3. Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental legal-
political rules that:
(1) are binding on everyone in the state,
including ordinary lawmaking institutions;
(2) concern the structure and operation of the
institutions of government, political principles
and the rights of citizens;
(3) are based on widespread public legitimacy;
(4) are harder to change than ordinary laws (e.g.
a two-thirds majority vote or a referendum is
needed);
(5) as a minimum, meet the internationally
recognized criteria for a democratic system in
terms of representation and human rights.

4. Constitution
Its main functions are:
 To provide for the structure, institutions and
governmental processes of the country.
 To assert the values and goals which are the
basis of the country’s legal order.
 Define and protect the rights of the
individuals who either constitute the people
of the country or are present in the country

5. The 1987 Philippine Constitution
PREAMBLE
ARTICLEI National Territory
ARTICLEII Declaration of Principles and State Policies
ARTICLEIII Bill of Rights
ARTICLEIV Citizenship
ARTICLEV Suffrage
ARTICLEVI Legislative Department
ARTICLEVII Executive Department
ARTICLEVIII Judicial Department
ARTICLEIX Constitutional Commissions
ARTICLEX Local Government
ARTICLEXI Accountability of Public Officers
ARTICLEXII National Economy and Patrimony
ARTICLEXIII Social Justice and Human Rights
ARTICLEXIV Education, Science and Technology,
Arts, Culture and Sports
ARTICLEXV The Family
ARTICLEXVI General Provisions
ARTICLEXVII Amendments or Revisions
ARTICLEXVIII Transitory Provisions

6. The Philippine Court System
& its Relationship to the
Constitution

7. COURT
A court is an institution that the government
sets up to settle disputes through a legal
process. People come to court to resolve their
disagreements. Courts decide what really
happened and what should be done about it.
They decide whether a person committed a
crime and what the punishment should be.
They also provide a peaceful way to decide
private disputes that people can't resolve
themselves.

8. The Supreme Court
• The highest court in the Philippines. It has an
administrative supervision over all courts and the
personnel.
• All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty,
international or executive agreement, or law, which
shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and
all other cases which under the Rules of Court are
required to be heard 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.

9. The Supreme Court
• 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.
When the required number is not obtained, the
case shall be decided en banc: Provided, that
no doctrine or principle of law laid down by the
court in a decision rendered en banc or in
division may be modified or reversed except by
the court sitting en banc.

10. The Composition of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice
and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or, in
its discretion, in divisions of three, five, or seven members.
Its members shall be appointed by the President from a
list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial
and Bar Council for every vacancy, without need of
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
Members of the Supreme Court are required to have proven competence,
integrity, probity and independence; they must be natural-born citizens of the
Philippines, at least forty years old, with at least fifteen years of experience as a
judge of a lower court or law practice in the country. Justices shall hold office
during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy years, or become
incapacitated to discharge the duties of office.

11. THE POWERS OF THE SUPREME COURT / The 1987 Philippine Constitution Article VIII, Section V
1. Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers 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 judgments 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.

12. THE POWERS OF THE SUPREME COURT / The 1987 Philippine Constitution Article VIII, Section V
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. Such rules shall provide a simplified and
inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, shall be
uniform for all courts of 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.
6. Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with
the Civil Service Law.

13. Example of Case solved in Supreme Court
The ABS-CBN Franchise Renewal

14. On going Case in Supreme Court
The rising number of missing persons
allegedly involved in sabong and
e-sabong.

15. IN CONCLUSION
The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to 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. Any such
rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for
the speedy disposition of cases, shall be uniform for all courts
of 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.

16. Third Level Court: The Court of Appeals
• It is the Philippines' second-highest judicial
court, just after the Supreme Court.
• The Court of Appeals' principal mandate is to
exercise appellate jurisdiction on all cases
not falling within the original and exclusive
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Its
decisions are final except when appealed to
the Supreme Court on questions of law.

17. The Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals is vested with the power to review all final judgments,
decisions, resolutions, orders or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-
judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commissions, except those
falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court; to try cases
and conduct hearings, receive evidence and perform any and all acts
necessary to resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its original
and appellate jurisdictions, including the power to grant and conduct new
trials or further proceedings. It issues writs of mandamus prohibition,
certiorari, habeas corpus, quo warrant and auxiliary writs or processes, and
writs of amparo and habeas data in the exercise of its concurrent
jurisdiction with the Supreme Court, Sandigabayan, and the Regional Trial
Courts.

18. The Composition of the Court of Appeals
The Court of Appeals shall be composed of one
Presiding Justice and 68 associate justices. Its members
shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least
three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar
Council for every vacancy, without need of confirmation
by the Commission on Appointments.
Members of the Court of Appeals are required to have proven competence,
integrity, probity and independence; they must be natural-born citizens of the
Philippines, at least forty years old, with at least fifteen years of experience as a
judge of a lower court or law practice in the country. Justices shall hold office
during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy years, or become
incapacitated to discharge the duties of office.

19. THE POWERS / JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS
The jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals are as follows:
1. Original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari,
habeas corpus, and quo warranto, and auxiliary writs or processes,
whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction;
2. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgements of
Regional Trial Courts; and
3. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgements, resolutions, orders
or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies,
instrumentalities, boards or commission.
The Court of Appeals shall also have the power to try cases and conduct
hearings, receive evidence and perform acts necessary to resolve factual
issues raised in cases falling within its original and appellate jurisdiction,
including the power to grant and conduct new trials or proceedings.

20. The Sandiganbayan
• This court is equivalent to the rank of the
Court of Appeals. However, this is a special
court.
• It has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases
involving graft and corrupt practices and
such other offenses committed by public
officers and employees, including those in
government-owned or controlled
corporations, in relation to their office as may
be determined by law.

21. The Composition of the Sandiganbayan
The Sandiganbayan sits in five divisions of three justices
each therefore; it shall be composed of 15 justices. Its
members shall be appointed by the President.
Members of the Sandiganbayan are required to have proven competence,
integrity, probity and independence; they must be natural-born citizens of the
Philippines, at least forty years old, with at least ten years of experience as a judge
of a lower court or law practice in the country. Justices shall hold office during
good behavior until they reach the age of seventy years, or become
incapacitated to discharge the duties of office.

22. Example of Case solved in Sandiganbayan
The Pork Barrel Scam

23. Example of Case solved in Sandiganbayan
Ex-President Arroyo vindicated of graft charges

24. The Court of Tax Appeals
• The Court of Tax Appeals has jurisdiction to
pass upon the constitutionality or validity
of tax law or regulation when raised by the
taxpayer as a defense in disputing or
contesting an assessment or claiming a
refund.
• The Court of Tax Appeals may likewise
take cognizance of cases directly
challenging the constitutionality or validity
of a tax law or regulation or administrative
issuance.

25. The Court of Tax Appeals
• Within the Judicial System, the law
intends the CTA to have exclusive
jurisdiction to resolve all tax
problems. Petitions for writs of
certiorari against the acts and
omissions of the said quasi-judicial
agencies should, thus, be filed
before the CTA.

26. The Composition of the Court of Tax Appeals
The CTA shall be composed of 6 Justices with 1 Presiding
Justice and 5 Associate Justices. It shall sit in 2 divisions
with 3 justices each.
Members of the CTA are required to have proven competence, integrity, probity
and independence; they must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least
forty years old, with at least ten years of experience as a judge of a lower court or
law practice in the country. Justices shall hold office during good behavior until
they reach the age of seventy years, or become incapacitated to discharge the
duties of office.

27. Example of Case solved in the Court of Tax Appeals
Pawnshop chain owner’s tax evasion case

28. Second Level Courts: Regional Trial Courts
• Regional trial courts exercise both original and
appellate jurisdiction. They exercise appellate
jurisdiction over all cases decided by metropolitan
trial courts, municipal trial courts, municipal trial court
in cities and municipal circuit trial courts in their
respective territorial jurisdictions.
• The Supreme Court may designate certain branches
of the Regional Trial Courts to handle exclusively
criminal cases, juvenile and domestic relations cases,
agrarian cases, urban land reform cases which do
not fall under the jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies
and agencies, and/or such other special cases as
the Supreme Court may determine in the interest of a
speedy and efficient administration of justice.

29. The Second Level Courts
• 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.

30. The Composition of the Second Level Courts
The RTC shall be composed of 13 Judicial Regions.
Members of the RTC are required to have proven
competence, integrity, probity and independence;
they must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines,
at least thirty-five years old, with at least ten years of
experience as a judge of a lower court or law
practice in the country. Justices shall hold office
during good behavior until they reach the age of
seventy years, or become incapacitated to
discharge the duties of office.

31. First Level Courts: The Municipal Trial Courts
Each city and municipality in the Philippines has
its own trial court. These First Level Courts are
more commonly referred to as Metropolitan Trial
Courts (MeTC), Municipal Trial Courts in Cities
(MTCC), Municipal Trial Court (MTC), and
Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC). The MeTCs
are the first level courts in the Metropolitan Manila
area. First level courts in cities outside
Metropolitan Manila are referred to as the
MTCCs. The MTCs are first level courts that cover
only one municipality, whereas MCTCs cover
multiple municipalities.

32. The First Level Courts
First-level courts have original jurisdiction on
criminal matters, except on those where the
Sandiganbayan and Regional Trial Courts
have original jurisdiction on, on violations of
city or municipal ordinances, on certain civil
cases, and on cases involving forcible entry.
Each court has one judge.

33. The Composition of the First Level Courts
The shall First Level Courts shall be composed of 1
judge per municipality/city.
Members of the First Level Courts are required to
have proven competence, integrity, probity and
independence; they must be natural-born citizens of
the Philippines, at least thirty years old, with at least
five years of experience as a judge of a lower court
or law practice in the country. Justices shall hold
office during good behavior until they reach the
age of seventy years, or become incapacitated to
discharge the duties of office.

34. The Shari'a District & Circuit Courts
• The Shari’a District Courts (ShDC), which rule on
Sharia Law, have limited jurisdiction over cases
relating to Muslims.
• They also have limited territorial jurisdiction, which
is determined by the Supreme Court.
• They are present only in five judicial regions, all
areas of Southwest Mindanao. They are equivalent
to regional trial courts, and were established under
the "Code of Muslim Personal Laws of the
Philippines" (Presidential Decree No. 1083) to
handle personal relations between Muslims.

35. The Shari'a District & Circuit Courts
• Sharia courts have original jurisdiction
over a number of issues relating to
Sharia. They also have concurrent
jurisdiction over some matters that fall
within the jurisdiction of civil courts, but
only where all parties are Muslims.
• One exception is that cases can be
filed in Sharia courts by non-Muslim
women married to a Muslim man
through Islamic rites.

36. The Shari'a District & Circuit Courts
• Sharia Circuit Courts (ShCC) have the
same rank as Municipal Circuit Trial
Courts. Sharia District Courts are
theoretically overseen by a Sharia
Appellate Court, but it has not been
established, leaving their decisions
instead reviewed by the Supreme
Court.

37. A court is an institution that the
government sets up to settle
disputes through a legal process.
It is where disputes in the
Constitution are solved thus;
allowing the implementation and
solving of cases involving the
flouting of law.