Below is a comprehensive, step-by-step discussion of Judgments and Final Orders that are appealable under Philippine civil procedure. This covers the relevant rules under the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended by the 2019 Amendments, plus key principles established by jurisprudence. The focus is on Rule 41 (Appeal from the Regional Trial Courts) and other connected rules governing appeals and final orders. I have endeavored to be as meticulous as possible in explaining the fundamentals and finer details.

I. GENERAL FRAMEWORK ON APPEALS

A. Governing Laws and Rules

1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, as amended by the 2019 Revised Rules of Court (particularly Rule 41 on Ordinary Appeal).
Rules 42, 43, and 45 where relevant (Petition for Review from RTC to CA; Appeal from quasi-judicial agencies to CA; and Appeal by Certiorari to the Supreme Court, respectively).
Relevant Supreme Court Circulars and jurisprudence that clarify appealable orders.

B. Appeal as a Statutory Right

Appeal is not a constitutional right but a statutory privilege. Therefore, strict compliance with the procedural requirements of the Rules of Court is indispensable.
The general rule is that only final judgments or orders are subject to appeal. Interlocutory orders cannot be appealed except under specific exceptions or via special civil actions (e.g., certiorari under Rule 65).

II. JUDGMENT AND FINAL ORDERS UNDER THE RULES

A. Definition of Judgment

Under Section 1, Rule 36 of the Rules of Court, a judgment is the final adjudication of the rights and obligations of the parties in an action or proceeding. It is in writing, personally signed by the judge, and clearly states the relief granted or denied.
A judgment resolves all the issues raised in the case, leaving nothing else for the court to do except to enforce or execute it.

B. Difference Between Final and Interlocutory Orders

Final Order/Judgment
- Disposes of the entire case (or a particular matter therein) on the merits.
- Leaves nothing more to be done by the court in respect of the controversy.
- Appealable under the Rules of Court.
Interlocutory Order
- Does not settle all the issues; the proceedings must continue.
- E.g., an order denying a motion to dismiss, an order granting or denying discovery, an order granting a new trial, etc.
- Not appealable while the main action is still pending. The aggrieved party must generally wait for the final judgment and appeal the interlocutory orders together with that final judgment.
- Exceptionally, if there is grave abuse of discretion, one may file a special civil action for certiorari (Rule 65), but not an appeal.

III. APPEALABLE JUDGMENTS AND FINAL ORDERS

A. General Rule: Only Final Judgments or Orders Are Appealable

An aggrieved party may appeal from a judgment or final order that completely disposes of the case. Once a judgment is rendered on the merits, the recourse of the losing party (or any party adversely affected) is to perfect an appeal in compliance with the rules (usually within 15 days from receipt of the judgment or final order).

B. Partial or Separate Judgments

In certain instances, a partial judgment or a separate judgment may be rendered under Rule 36, Section 5, or the doctrines in jurisprudence.
If a partial or separate judgment finally resolves particular claims or issues in a multi-issue case, and no further action is required by the trial court for those specific claims, that partial judgment may be the proper subject of an appeal as to those resolved claims.

C. Specific Instances Where an Order Is Deemed Final and Appealable

Order of Dismissal of the entire complaint, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party complaint, with prejudice or on the merits.
Order granting or denying a petition for relief or other post-judgment remedies if it effectively terminates the litigation on the substantive merits.
Orders involving execution that have the effect of finally disposing of the parties’ substantive rights (e.g., an order completely disposing of all property in replevin, or an order resulting in the final distribution of an estate in special proceedings).
Judgment or order on special civil actions that fully adjudicates the issues (e.g., a decision on a Petition for Certiorari by the RTC).
Order overruling or denying a motion for reconsideration that effectively affirms the final judgment or final order.

Note: A dismissal "without prejudice" is typically not a final order on the merits and ordinarily not appealable (the remedy of the aggrieved party is to re-file the action). However, if the dismissal without prejudice is effectively a final disposition of the plaintiff’s cause of action (e.g., due to prescription), jurisprudence sometimes treats it as a final order that can be appealed.

IV. MODES OF APPEAL FOR FINAL JUDGMENTS AND ORDERS

A. Ordinary Appeal (Rule 41)

Where Filed:
- From the Regional Trial Court (RTC) to the Court of Appeals (CA), or from the Metropolitan/ Municipal Trial Court (MTC) to the RTC, depending on the level of court issuing the judgment.
Period to Appeal:
- 15 days from notice of the judgment or final order appealed from, or of the denial of the motion for new trial or reconsideration.
- Extension of up to 15 days may be allowed by the court, but no further extension is typically permitted except for the most compelling reasons (as laid down by jurisprudence).
How Perfected:
- Filing a Notice of Appeal in the court that rendered the judgment, with payment of the required docket fees.
- Perfection of the appeal is jurisdictional—non-compliance or late filing generally results in dismissal of the appeal.

B. Petition for Review (Rule 42)

Applicable when appealing a decision of the RTC in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction (e.g., from MTC to RTC, then RTC decided the appeal).
Filed with the Court of Appeals within 15 days from notice of the decision/judgment of the RTC.

C. Appeal from Quasi-Judicial Agencies to the CA (Rule 43)

Applicable to final orders or decisions of agencies, commissions, or boards (e.g., National Labor Relations Commission decisions go to the Court of Appeals via Rule 65, but other agencies use Rule 43).
15 days from receipt of the final decision or resolution.

D. Petition for Review on Certiorari (Rule 45)

Where Filed:
- Filed with the Supreme Court.
Applicable:
- To review judgments or final orders of the Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, or the Regional Trial Court in certain instances.
Period:
- 15 days from notice of judgment or final order appealed from (extendible for another 30 days upon motion showing compelling reasons).

V. KEY DOCTRINES AND PRINCIPLES

A. Doctrine of Finality of Judgment

Once a judgment becomes final and executory, it can no longer be modified by the court, except to correct clerical errors or to clarify an ambiguity (the court loses jurisdiction over the case).
An unappealed portion of a judgment becomes final and executory; the appealed portion remains subject to appellate review.

B. Interlocutory vs. Final Orders: The Two-Notice Rule

Two-Notice Rule: In general, the parties are entitled to be notified of (1) the decision or judgment and (2) any resolution on a motion for reconsideration, as each triggers the running of periods for appeal or other remedies.
Interlocutory orders are not final. If a party tries to appeal an interlocutory order, the appellate court will dismiss the appeal for lack of a final disposition. The usual remedy for an erroneous interlocutory order is to raise the issue on appeal after final judgment or seek a special civil action for certiorari if there is grave abuse of discretion.

C. Principle of “One Final Judgment” Rule

The “one final judgment” rule means that courts are discouraged from having multiple appeals or partial appeals in a single action unless the rules or jurisprudence explicitly allow it (as in partial judgment cases under certain conditions). The law aims to avoid piecemeal appeals and promote judicial efficiency.

D. Exceptions to the General Rule on Finality Before Appeal

Certain special cases or rulings allow for direct recourse to a higher court even if the order is interlocutory (e.g., via Rule 65 for certiorari, prohibition, or mandamus). This is not an appeal but a special civil action to check whether the lower court committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.

VI. PRACTICAL POINTS AND REMINDERS

Identify If the Order Completely Disposes of the Case
- Check if the court still needs to conduct further proceedings. If yes, the order is likely interlocutory and not appealable.
Perfecting the Appeal
- Timely filing of the notice or petition for appeal and paying docket fees are jurisdictional requirements. Any misstep leads to dismissal.
Evaluate the Remedy
- If it is an interlocutory order, the correct remedy (if truly indispensable) may be a petition for certiorari under Rule 65. Otherwise, you must wait for final judgment.
Watch Out for the 2019 Amendments
- Shorter and stricter rules on extension for filing appeals; the courts have become more stringent on procedural timelines.
- The appellate court now strictly enforces the rule that only a 15-day extension is allowed unless there are compelling reasons.

VII. SUMMARY

In Philippine civil procedure, only judgments and final orders—those that completely resolve the merits of the case—are appealable as a matter of right under the Rules of Court.
Interlocutory orders, which do not dispose of the case, are not appealable, except through special civil actions in exceptional circumstances.
The primary modes of appeal for final judgments are:
- Ordinary Appeal (Rule 41) to the Court of Appeals or RTC (as the case may be).
- Petition for Review (Rule 42) to the CA if appealing an RTC decision in its appellate jurisdiction.
- Appeal from quasi-judicial agencies (Rule 43).
- Petition for Review on Certiorari (Rule 45) to the Supreme Court.
The 15-day period to appeal is generally immutable except under clearly justifiable circumstances.
Once a judgment becomes final and executory, the court loses jurisdiction over the case, and no appeal or other ordinary remedy can be taken.

All these principles collectively ensure the orderly administration of justice, prevent piecemeal appeals, and clarify the proper remedies for parties aggrieved by the rulings of courts in civil actions. A thorough understanding of which orders are final and appealable—and the corresponding procedure for appealing them—is indispensable for effective litigation practice in Philippine courts.