Classification of Philippine Courts | Nature of Philippine Courts | GENERAL PRINCIPLES

COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE COURTS
(Remedial Law, Legal Ethics & Legal Forms > I. General Principles > G. Nature of Philippine Courts > 1. Classification of Philippine Courts)

I. OVERVIEW

The Philippine Judiciary is a co-equal branch of government under the 1987 Constitution (Art. VIII). It is vested with judicial power, which includes the duty “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” (Sec. 1, Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution).

Under the Constitution and existing statutes—notably Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 (the “Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”), as amended, and other special laws—the Philippine court system is organized into different levels and classifications. These courts are broadly categorized according to:

  1. Constitutional vs. Statutory Courts
  2. Original vs. Appellate Jurisdiction
  3. General vs. Limited/Special Jurisdiction

Below is a detailed exposition of these classifications, as well as the specific courts that comprise the Philippine judicial hierarchy.

II. CONSTITUTIONAL COURTS VS. STATUTORY COURTS

  1. Constitutional Court

    • Supreme Court: The Supreme Court is the highest judicial tribunal in the Philippines and the only court explicitly created by the Constitution (Sec. 1, Art. VIII). It has administrative supervision over all lower courts and personnel. Its jurisdiction—both original and appellate—is defined partly by the Constitution (Secs. 5 & 11, Art. VIII) and partly by statute (e.g., Rules of Court, B.P. 129, special laws).

  2. Statutory (Legislatively Created) Courts

    • These are courts created by legislative enactments pursuant to the constitutional mandate that Congress may “create such lower courts as may be necessary” (Sec. 1, Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution). Examples include:
      • Court of Appeals (CA)
      • Sandiganbayan
      • Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)
      • Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)
      • Metropolitan/Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs, MeTCs, MTCCs, MCTCs)
      • Shari’a Courts (Shari’a District Courts and Shari’a Circuit Courts)

III. COURTS CLASSIFIED BY JURISDICTION

A. Courts of Original Jurisdiction

Courts exercising original jurisdiction are those where a case is heard and decided upon for the first time. In the Philippine setting, original jurisdiction may be exclusive or concurrent with other courts. Examples:

  1. Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)

    • Exercise original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any lower court, tribunal, or body.
    • Certain special cases are also tried originally by RTCs (e.g., family courts, commercial courts, environmental courts, intellectual property courts) as designated by the Supreme Court.
    • They can also exercise appellate jurisdiction over cases decided by lower courts (MTCs, etc.) in their respective territorial jurisdictions, but that is a secondary function.

  2. Shari’a District Courts

    • Original jurisdiction over certain personal and property relations of Muslims in areas specified by law (primarily in Mindanao).
    • Created pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1083 (Code of Muslim Personal Laws).

  3. Shari’a Circuit Courts

    • Lower-level Shari’a courts with original jurisdiction over less complex disputes involving Muslims (e.g., offenses punishable by fine or imprisonment not exceeding certain thresholds, certain civil cases under Muslim law).

  4. Municipal Trial Courts, Metropolitan Trial Courts, Municipal Trial Courts in Cities, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts

    • Have exclusive original jurisdiction over violations of city or municipal ordinances, offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding six (6) years (where not within the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan), and civil cases of lesser value.
    • Some of these courts also have jurisdiction over certain barangay conciliation matters, summary procedure cases, and small claims.

B. Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction

Courts with appellate jurisdiction hear and decide cases already tried in lower courts or quasi-judicial agencies, generally reviewing factual and/or legal issues:

  1. Supreme Court

    • The court of last resort.
    • Exercises appellate review, typically via petitions for review on certiorari, of decisions rendered by the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Tax Appeals, as well as certain decisions of administrative agencies (when provided by law).
    • Exercises original jurisdiction over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.

  2. Court of Appeals (CA)

    • Intermediary appellate court with jurisdiction over appeals from the Regional Trial Courts, as well as from certain quasi-judicial agencies (e.g., SEC, NLRC, CSC, etc.) as provided by law.
    • Also exercises original jurisdiction over certain special civil actions (e.g., certiorari, prohibition, mandamus) arising out of RTC decisions or quasi-judicial agency rulings.

  3. Sandiganbayan

    • A specialized collegiate court with appellate and original jurisdiction over graft and corruption cases involving public officers and employees with Salary Grade 27 and above (and other cases enumerated in the law).
    • Original jurisdiction over such criminal and civil cases; also exercises appellate jurisdiction over cases decided by the RTC in corruption-related offenses under certain conditions.

  4. Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)

    • Exercises appellate jurisdiction over decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue (CIR), the Commissioner of Customs, and other agencies dealing with national/internal revenue and tariff/customs issues.
    • It also has original jurisdiction in tax collection cases when the principal amount exceeds certain thresholds.
    • Its decisions may be elevated to the Supreme Court through a petition for review on certiorari.

IV. COURTS CLASSIFIED BY SPECIAL OR GENERAL JURISDICTION

  1. Courts of General Jurisdiction

    • Regional Trial Courts (RTCs) are the primary example. They try a wide range of civil, criminal, and special cases unless the law vests jurisdiction exclusively in another court or tribunal.

  2. Courts of Special (Limited) Jurisdiction

    • Sandiganbayan (graft, corruption, and related offenses by public officials).
    • Court of Tax Appeals (tax and customs cases).
    • Family Courts (designated RTC branches under R.A. No. 8369) that handle child and family-related cases, including adoption, custody, and domestic violence.
    • Environmental Courts (designated RTC branches under various environmental laws and Supreme Court circulars).
    • Commercial Courts (designated RTC branches handling corporate rehabilitation, intellectual property, insolvency, and other commercial matters).
    • Shari’a Courts (Shari’a District and Circuit Courts) handling cases involving Muslims’ personal status, family, and property relations under the Code of Muslim Personal Laws.

V. SPECIFIC COURTS IN THE PHILIPPINE HIERARCHY

  1. Supreme Court

    • Composition: Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices, sitting en banc or in divisions.
    • Powers:
      • Judicial review, including power over certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus cases.
      • Rule-making power (the Supreme Court promulgates the Rules of Court and other procedural rules).
      • Administrative supervision over all courts and court personnel.

  2. Court of Appeals (CA)

    • Composition: Presiding Justice and Associate Justices, usually organized into divisions.
    • Jurisdiction: Review of RTC decisions; certain quasi-judicial agency decisions; special civil actions (certiorari, prohibition, mandamus) involving RTCs and agencies.

  3. Sandiganbayan

    • Composition: Presiding Justice and Associate Justices, sitting in divisions of three.
    • Jurisdiction: Original jurisdiction over graft and corruption cases involving high-ranking public officials; appellate jurisdiction over certain cases decided by the RTC.

  4. Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)

    • Composition: Presiding Justice and Associate Justices, also sitting in divisions.
    • Jurisdiction: Primarily appellate over tax, customs, and assessments; original jurisdiction over certain tax collection cases.

  5. Regional Trial Courts (RTCs)

    • Organized by judicial regions; each region covers several provinces and cities.
    • General jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters not within the exclusive jurisdiction of lower courts; special jurisdiction (Family Courts, Commercial Courts, etc.) as assigned by the Supreme Court.

  6. Shari’a Courts

    • Shari’a District Courts (SDCs): Similar to RTC level, with limited territorial jurisdiction (in certain Muslim-majority areas).
    • Shari’a Circuit Courts (SCCs): Similar to MTC level, handling less complex matters.

  7. Lower Trial Courts:

    • Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs) in Metropolitan Manila.
    • Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs) in non-metropolitan cities outside Metro Manila.
    • Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs) in municipalities.
    • Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs) covering two or more municipalities.
    • Their jurisdiction covers offenses punishable by up to six (6) years of imprisonment, civil cases involving lower amounts, certain land registration cases covering small parcels, and special proceedings (e.g., barangay conciliation matters).

VI. OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Family Courts

    • Created under R.A. No. 8369 (Family Courts Act of 1997).
    • Designated RTC branches with exclusive jurisdiction over child abuse cases, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship of minors, custody, and support, among others.

  2. Special Commercial Courts

    • Designated RTC branches hearing cases of corporate rehabilitation, insolvency, intellectual property rights violations, and similar issues.
    • Jurisdiction provided under P.D. 902-A, as amended, and subsequent Supreme Court administrative circulars.

  3. Environmental Courts

    • Designated RTC branches pursuant to various environmental laws and Supreme Court circulars (e.g., Rules of Procedure for Environmental Cases).
    • Handle cases involving environmental protection, enforcement of environmental laws, and other ecological disputes.

  4. Hierarchy of Courts

    • Parties must generally observe the hierarchy of courts in seeking remedies (e.g., appeals or original petitions). Except in certain exceptional circumstances (e.g., compelling reasons, urgency, transcendental issues), a direct resort to a higher court (like the Supreme Court) may be disallowed if the matter can be resolved at a lower level first.

  5. Administrative Supervision by the Supreme Court

    • The Supreme Court has the power to discipline judges of lower courts and personnel.
    • Court rules, administrative orders, and circulars ensure uniform procedures, ethical conduct, and proper management of caseloads.

  6. Integration of the Shari’a System

    • The Shari’a courts form part of the Philippine judicial system, but they apply the Code of Muslim Personal Laws mainly for Muslim litigants and personal law matters.
    • Appeals from Shari’a District Courts go to the Court of Appeals (and ultimately to the Supreme Court).

  7. Quasi-Judicial Agencies

    • Although not part of the Judiciary, various quasi-judicial bodies (e.g., NLRC, SEC, HLURB) exercise adjudicatory functions in specialized fields.
    • Their decisions are generally appealable to the CA or the specialized courts (e.g., CTA for tax-related agencies).

VII. ETHICAL AND PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS

  1. Ethical Standards for Judges

    • The New Code of Judicial Conduct mandates independence, integrity, impartiality, propriety, equality, competence, and diligence.
    • Judges must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety, maintain confidentiality, and uphold the dignity of the judiciary.

  2. Legal Forms and Pleadings

    • The forms and style of pleadings and motions depend on the forum (Supreme Court, CA, Sandiganbayan, CTA, RTC, or MTC).
    • The Rules of Court (promulgated by the Supreme Court) set forth the requirements for pleadings, verification, certifications (e.g., non-forum shopping), and other procedural matters.

  3. Role of Lawyers

    • Lawyers must observe the canons of professional responsibility: competence, diligence, candor, fairness, confidentiality, and loyalty to the court and client.
    • The Code of Professional Responsibility applies in all courts, whether constitutional or statutory, trial or appellate.

VIII. CONCLUSION

The Philippine court system is structured to accommodate a wide variety of civil, criminal, and special cases, ensuring due process and equal protection under the law. The Supreme Court, as the constitutional court, stands at the apex, overseeing and promulgating rules for lower courts, which are themselves created by statute to address the manifold needs of the country’s judicial administration.

In sum, classifications based on constitutional or statutory creation, original or appellate jurisdiction, and general or special jurisdiction define the nature of Philippine courts. This structure is key to understanding remedies, judicial processes, and the professional responsibilities that govern the legal practice before each tribunal. Every court in the Philippines—whether an RTC, MTC, Shari’a Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, or Court of Tax Appeals—operates under the guidance and supervision of the Supreme Court, ensuring a unified and coherent judicial system that aspires to deliver justice effectively and efficiently.

Disclaimer: This content is not legal advice and may involve AI assistance. Information may be inaccurate.

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