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Matched Legal Cases: ['Art. 1', 'Art. 4', 'Art. 2004', 'Art. 1899', 'Art. 20', 'Art.4', 'Art. 4']

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Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Political Structure 3. Government Structure 3.1 Executive Branch 3.2 Legislative Department 3.3 Judicial System 3.4 Constitutional Commissions 3.5 Local Governments 3.6 Other Government Agencies 4. Legal System 4.1 Nature of the Philippine Legal System 4.2 Sources of Law 5. Legal Research 5.1 Research of Statute Law 5.2 Research of Case Law 6. Legal Profession 6.1 Law Schools 6.2 Bar Associations
1. Introduction The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands with a land area of 299,740 sq. kilometers. It is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean on the East, South China Sea on the North and the West and the Celebes Sea on the South. This comprises the National Territory of the Philippines. Article I of the 1987 Constitution provides that the ―national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein and all other territories which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction.‖ The Filipino culture was molded over more than a hundred ethnic groups consisting of 91% Christian Malay, 4% Muslim Malay, 1.5% Chinese and 3% others. As of the August 2007 national census, the population of the Philippines has increased to 88.57 million and is estimated to reach 92.23 million in 2009. The census is scheduled to be undertaken this 2009. Filipino is the national language (1987 Constitution, Art. XIV, sec. 6). However, Filipino and English are the official languages for the purpose of communication and instruction (Art. XIV, sec 7). There are several dialects or regional languages spoken throughout the different islands of the country, but there are eight major dialects, which include Bicolano, Cebuano, Hiligaynon or Ilongo, Ilocano, Pampango, Pangasinense, Tagalog, and Waray. There are two major religions of the country: Christianity and Islam. Christianity, more particularly Catholicism, is practiced by more than 80% of the population. It was introduced by Spain in 1521. The Protestant religion was introduced by American missionaries. Aglipay, or the Philippine Independent Church, and the Iglesia ni Kristo are two Filipino independent churches. Other Christian religious organizations like the El Shaddai, Ang Dating Daan, and ‗Jesus is Lord‘ have been established and have a great influence to the nation. The Constitution of the Philippines specifically provides that the separation of Church and State is inviolable. (Constitution (987), Art. II, sec.6). However, religion has a great influence in the legal system of the Philippines. For the Muslim or Islamic religion, a special law, the Code of Muslim Personal Laws (Presidential Decree no. 1083), was promulgated and special courts were established, the Shari‘a courts. The Church has affected the present political system. A priest had to take leave as a priest when he was elected governor of a province in Region 3. A movement was even started to be able to
choose the President of the Philippines and other government officials in the May 2009 national election. 2. Political Structure The Constitution is the fundamental law of the land. The present political structure of the Philippines was defined by the 1987 Constitution, duly ratified in a plebiscite held on February 2, 1987. There is a move now in Congress which was started at the House of Representatives to revise/amend the present Constitution. One of the major problems to be resolved by both Houses of Congress is the mode or method in revising/amending the Constitution. The 1987 Constitution provides that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state where sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them (Article II, section 1). 3. Government Structure The government structure differs as one goes through the history of the Philippines, which may be categorized as follows: a) Pre-Spanish; b). Spanish period; c). American period; d). Japanese period; e). Republic; and f). Martial Law Period a) Pre-Spanish (before 1521) The Barangays or independent communities were the unit of government structures before Spain colonized the Philippines. The head of each barangay was the Datu. He governs the barangays using native rules which are customary and unwritten. There were two codes during this period: the Maragtas Code issued by Datu Sumakwel of Panay Island and the Code of Kalantiao issued by Datu Kalantiano in 1433. The existence of these codes is questioned by some historians. Just like many ancient societies, trial by ordeal was practiced. b) Spanish period (1521-1898) The Spanish period can be traced from the time Magellan discovered the Philippines when he landed on Mactan Island (Cebu) on March 16, 1521. Royal decrees, Spanish laws, and/or special issuances of special laws for the Philippines were extended to the Philippines from Spain by the Spanish Crown through the councils. The chief legislator is the governor-general who exercises legislative functions by promulgating executive decrees, edicts or ordinances with the force of law. The Royal Audencia, or Spanish Supreme Court, in the Philippines also exercised legislative functions when laws are passed in the form of autos accordados. Melquiades Gamboa, in his book entitled ― An
Introduction to Philippine Law‖ (7th ed, 1969), listed the most prominent laws in this period: Fuero Juzgo, Fuero Real, Las Siete Partidas, Leyes de Toros, Nueva Recopilacion de las Leyes de Indias and the Novisima Recopilacion. Some of these laws were also in force in other Spanish colonies. Laws in force at the end of the Spanish rule in 1898 are as follows: Codigo Penal de 1870, Ley Provisional para la Aplicaciones de las Dispociciones del Codigo Penal en las Islas Filipinas, Ley de Enjuciamento Criminal, Ley de Enjuciameniento Civil, Codigo de Comercio, Codigo Civil de 1889, Ley Hipotecaria, Ley de Minas, Ley Notarial de 1862, Railway Law of 1877, Law of Foreigners for Ultramarine Provinces and the Code of Military Justice. Some of these laws remained in force even during the early American period and/or until Philippine laws were promulgated. In between the Spanish and the American period is what Philippine historians consider the first Philippine Republic. This was when General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippine Independence in Kawit , Cavite on June 12, 1898. The Malolos Congress also known as Assembly of the Representatives, which can be considered as revolutionary in nature, was convened on September 15, 1898. The first Philippine Constitution, the Malolos Constitution was approved on January 20, 1899. General Emilio Aguinaldo was the President and Don Gracio Gonzaga as the Chief Justice. A Republic, although with de facto authority, was in force until the start of the American Sovereignty when the Treaty of Paris was signed on December 10, 1898. c) American period (1898-1946) The start of this period can be traced after the Battle of Manila Bay when Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States upon the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. A military government was organized with the military governor as the chief executive exercising executive, legislative and judicial functions. Legislative function was transferred to the Philippine Commission in 1901 which was created by the United States President as commander-in-chief of the Armed forces and later ratified by the Philippine Bill of 1902. This same Bill provided for the establishment of the First Philippine Assembly which convened on October 16, 1907. The Jones law provided for the establishment of a bicameral legislative body on October 16, 1916, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The United States Constitution was recognized until the promulgation of the Philippine Constitution on February 8, 1935, signed by U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on March 23, 1935 and ratified at a plebiscite held on May 14, 1935. The organic laws that governed the Philippines during this period were: President McKinley‘s Instruction to the Second Philippine Commission on April 7, 1900; Spooner
Separation of powers is recognized. A Japanese Republic was established with Jose P. e) Republic period (1946-1972) July 4. President Quezon won over General Emilio Aguinaldo and Bishop Gregorio Aglipay. 1946 was the inauguration of Philippine independence. 1944. Quezon died on August 1. Jose Yulo was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. which were reported in the United States Supreme Court Reports. Philippine Bill of 1902. Manuel L. Jones Law of 1916 and the Tydings McDuffie Law of May 1. Executive power rests in the President.Amendment of 1901. 1945. A Philippine Republic was born. 1942 to October 3. Cayetano Arellano was installed as the first Chief Justice in 1901. an American military airbase in Pampanga. The later law is significant for it allowed the establishment of a Commonwealth government and the right to promulgate its own Constitution. This Commonwealth government went into exile in Washington DC during the Japanese period from May 13.
. the President of the First Philippine Republic (1898) and the head of the Aglipayan church. Decisions rendered by the Supreme Court of the Philippines were appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The 1935 Constitution initially changed the legislative system to a unicameral system. In this election. 1944 and was succeeded by President Sergio Osmena who brought back the government to Manila on February 28. A republic means a government by the people and sovereignty resides in the entire people as a body politic. The Commonwealth government is considered as a transition government for ten years before the granting of the Philippine independence. 1934. and inferior courts. marked the start of the Japanese period which lasted for three years. This period was considered as a military rule by the Japanese Imperial Army. the bicameral system was restored pursuant to the 1940 Constitutional amendment. The provisions of the 1935 Constitution defined the government structure which provided for the establishment of three co-equal branches of government. The 1943 Constitution was ratified by a special national convention of the Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod ng Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI). legislative power in two Houses of Congress and judicial power in the Supreme Court. This period lasted for three years and ended in 1944 with the defeat of the Japanese forces. President Manuel L. 1941. respectively. d) Japanese period (1941-1944) The invasion of the Japanese forces when Clark Field. Laurel as its President. was bombed on December 8. 1935 elections. The Majority of the Justices of the Philippine Supreme Court were Americans. However. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña were elected as President and Vice-President respectively during the September 14.
Efforts to amend the 1935 Constitution started on August 24. 6132 where 310 delegates were elected on November 10.
. President Ferdinand E. the powers of the President and the Prime Minister were merged into the incumbent President Ferdinand E. 1985 and was held on February 7. 1972. The constitution was again amended in 1984 and a plebiscite was held on January 27. He was the head of the Cabinet and had supervision over all the ministries. The Congress of the Philippines was abolished when Martial Law was declared on September 21. The Martial Law period was governed by the 1973 Constitution which established a parliamentary form of government. Marcos and Arturo M. 1970 with the approval of Republic Act No. While it was still in session. 1972. Marcos declared Martial Law on September 21. It was submitted for ratification through citizens‘ assemblies on January 17. However. popularly known as Snap Election. f) Martial Law Period (1972-1986). 6 authorized President Marcos to continue exercising legislative powers until Martial law is in effect. Laurel as President and Vice-President. Amendment No. The President shall be elected by the people for a term of six years while the Prime Minister shall be elected by a majority of the Batasang Pambansa (Parliament) upon the nomination of the President. Marcos. 1973. was called by President Marcos on November 3. 1984 for the 183 elective seats in the 200 member of the Batasang Pambansa. Tolentino won over Corazon C. Aquino and Salvador H. 1971. 3. The Prime Minister had the power to advise the President. Elections were held on May 14. The 1981 amendment introduced the modified presidential/parliamentary system of government of the Philippines. 1986. A special presidential election. the Constitutional Convention met. The Constitutional Convention completed the draft Constitution on November 29. 2045 (1981) lifted Martial Law and abolished military tribunals. Elections were held on June 16. results showed that Corazon Aquino led by over a million votes. the Batasang Pambansa declared that Ferdinand E. Executive and legislative powers were merged and the Chief Executive was the Prime Minister who was elected by majority of all members of the National Assembly (Parliament). 1970. or councils. An impeachment resolution by 57 members of the opposition was filed against President Marcos but was dismissed. Amendment No. Amendments to the Constitution were made wherein by virtue of amendment No. On June 1. 1972. Military tribunals were also established. The National Movement for Free Elections. 1981 and President Marcos was re-elected into office as President. 643 (1984). Proclamation No. or NAMFREL. 1984 pursuant to Batas Pambansa Blg. This is known as the 1973 Constitution. 7 provided for the barangays as the smallest political subdivision and the sanggunians. This parliamentary government was never implemented due to the transitory provision of the 1973 Constitution. The President is the symbolic head of state.
6635 (1972) and Republic Act No. Aside from the three co-equal branches. A Constitutional Commission was constituted by virtue of Article V of the Provisional Constitution and Proclamation No. composed of 48 members. Aquino and Salvador H. Proclamation No. the draft constitution was submitted to the President on October 15.
. 1986. 1 (1986) was promulgated wherein the President and the Vice President took power in the name and by the will of the Filipino people. 1986 and ratified by the people in a plebiscite held on February 2. The same type of republican form of government prior to Martial law was established with three co-equal branches were organized. The Republican form of government was officially revived when the 1987 Constitution was ratified and Congress was convened in 1987. provided for a new government. Under the transitory provision of the 1987 Constitution. Laurel took their oath of office as President and Vice President of the Philippine Republic on February 25. This event led to the People Power revolution. The numbering of Republic Acts continued from the number last used before Martial Law (Republic Act No. which ousted President Marcos on February 25. Republic Acts were again issued by Congress. the number of which took off from the last number used before Martial Law was declared. 1987. Legislative and the Judiciary. the following are other offices in government: a) government financial institutions and government-owned and controlled corporations. g) Republic Revival (1986-present) The Republic period was revived after the bloodless revolution popularly known as People Power or the EDSA Revolution. After 133 days. The Constitutional Commission. Proclamation No. Congressional elections were held on May 11. Executive. 1987. was mandated to draft a Constitution. 1992. Legislative enactments again rested in the Congress. 1986 elections were given a six year term of office until June 30.respectively. 9 (1986). Legislative and the Judiciary. 1986. the President and Vice President elected in the February 7. The Philippines once again became a Republic by virtue of the 1987 Constitution. 3 (1986) adopted as the Provisional Constitution or Freedom Constitution. Corazon C. 6636 (1987). The Republic form of government by virtue of the 1987 Constitution was the same type of republican government prior to Martial law by virtue of the 1935 Constitution with three co-equal branches: Executive.
The other members of the Executive Branch are the Vice-President and the Heads of Executive Departments or Cabinet members. Since 1898 when the First Philippine Republic was established. 1987 Constitution). 18). (Art. 1. Both the President and the Vice-President are elected by direct vote of the Filipino people for a term of six years. the Philippines has had thirteen (13) Presidents.3. Congress is empowered to promulgate
. VII.1 Executive Branch The President is vested with the executive power. The President is both the Chief of State (head of government) and the Commander-inChief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Art. sec. sec. The President is not eligible for a reelection while the Vice President cannot serve for more than two terms. VII. The following are the Departments under the Executive Branch: Department of Agrarian Reform Department of Agriculture Department of Budget and Management Department of Education Department of Energy Department of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Finance Department of Foreign Affairs Department of Health Department of Interior and Local Government Department of Justice Department of Labor and Employment Department of National Defense Department of Public Works and Highways Department of Science and Technology Department of Social Welfare and Development Department of Tourism Department of Trade and Industry Department of Transportation and Communications National Economic and Development Authority Office of the Press Secretary There are specific bureaus and offices directly under the Office of the President.
The Supreme Court promulgated the 2005 Rules on the Presidential Tribunal (A. sec.rules in the canvassing of certificates of election.2 Legislative Department Legislative power is vested in the Congress of the Philippines. sec. 1). VI. 2) to be initiated by the House of Representatives (Art. (Art VI. VII. VII. The Supreme Court en banc thus acts as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal. Senate of the Philippines The Senate is composed of twenty four (24) Senators who are elected at large by qualified voters who serve for a term of not more than six (6) years. returns and qualifications of members of the Senate rests with the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) which is composed of nine members.officio Chairman. sec. which consists of the President of the Senate. The sole judge of contests relating to election. The Cabinet members are nominated by the President. sec. sec. 3 (6)). three of whom are Justices of the Supreme Court and six members of the Senate. sec. XI sec. VI. 16). sec. as ex officio Chairman. To better appreciate its transition. bureaus and offices (Art. 4).M. 17). VI. 2003 its Revised Rules. 1). consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives (Art. The Senate Electoral Tribunal has approved on November 12. Both may be removed from office by impeachment (Art. Pro Tempore. No. The Supreme Court sitting en banc is the sole judge of all election contests relating to their election. Cabinet members are nominated by the President. the Philippine Senate has provided a detailed account and is found on Senate website. (Art. sec. sec. History has provided that the legislative structure has undergone numerous changes. 05-11-06-SC). subject to the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (Art. No Senator may be elected for more than two consecutive terms. subject to the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments (Art. XI. The President exercises control over all the executive departments. The Senate is led by the Senate President. 17). 3.
. 4). VI. twelve Senators and twelve members of the House of Representatives (Art. VI. as ex. 1). twelve Senators and twelve members of the House of Representatives (Art. The Senate President is elected by majority vote of its members. 16) which consists of the President of the Senate. There are thirty six (36) permanent committees and five (5) oversight committees. 3) and tried and decided by the Senate (Art. sec. sec. returns and qualifications (Art VII. XI. Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
There are fifty seven (57) standing committees and sixteen (16) special committees of the House of Representatives. Republic Act No. Barangay Association for National Advancement and Transparency (BANAT) v. Cooperation and Harmony Towards Educational Reforms. VI. Commission on Elections (G. The sole judge of contests relating to election. shall constitute twenty percent (20%) of the total number of representatives. The Speaker of the House is elected by majority vote of its members.
.R. The election of party-list representatives was by virtue of the Republic Act No. The officials of the House are the Speaker of the House. Deputy Speaker for Mindanao. returns and qualifications of members of the House of Representatives rests with the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) which is composed of nine members.R..House of Representatives The House of Representatives is composed of not more than two hundred fifty (250) members. Majority Leader. 2009. three of whom are Justices of the Supreme Court and six members of the Senate. Major political parties are disallowed from participating in party-list elections. sec. 1995. regional and sectional parties and organizations. No. Deputy Speaker for Luzon. 7941 was declared unconstitutional with regards to the two percent threshold in the distribution of additional party-list seats. 17). No. and Abono (G.(Art. elected by legislative districts for a term of three years. Deputy Speaker for Visayas. Inc. who come from registered national. 17971) and Bayan Muna. Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment Through Action. In a recent decision of the Supreme Court penned by Justice Antonio T. Carpio on April 21. 179295). 7941 which was approved on March 3. The Court in this decision provided a procedure in the allocation of additional seats under the Party-List System. The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal adopted its 1998 Internal Rules on March 24. The party-list representatives. and Minority Leader. No representative shall serve for more than three consecutive terms. 1998.
publishes important ones in newspapers of general circulation. 03-0501-SC). effective June 1. A Code of Conduct for Court Personnel (A. prints in book or pamphlet form and now downloads them in the Supreme Court website and the Supreme Court E-Library website. Memorandum Circulars. legal profession and the public of these rules and regulations. The Supreme Court promulgated on June 21. VIII. Its appropriation may not be reduced by the legislature below the appropriated amount the previous year (Art. published in two newspapers of general circulation on April 26.M. No. Manila: Supreme Court. VIII. 03-06-13-SC) was adopted on April 13. sec. 2004. Memorandum Orders and OCA Circulars. To inform the members of the Judiciary. which was published in two newspapers of general circulation on May 3. 1). These rules and regulations are in the form of Administrative Matters. 1946 provided for the Canon of Judicial Ethics.M. 162 dated August 1. The Rules of Court of the Philippines as amended and the rules and regulations issued by the Supreme Court define the rules and procedures of the Judiciary. as may be established by law (Art. 2004 (Manila Bulletin & Philippine Star) and available at its website and the Supreme Court E-Library website. Administrative Orders. 2). 1988 the Code of Professional Responsibility for the legal profession.Organizational Chart of the whole Judicial System and those of each type of Court is available in 2002 Revised Manual of Clerks of Court. Discipline and Disbarment of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Department of Justice Administrative Order No. the Supreme Court disseminates this rules and regulations to all courts.
. 9282 (CTA) Judicial power rests with the Supreme Court and the lower courts. sec. Supreme Court of the Philippines promulgated a new Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary effective June 1. Organizational Chart was amended due to the passage of Republic Act No. Circulars. No. 2002. 2004 (Manila Bulletin & Philippine Star) and available on its website and the Supreme Court E-Library website. The judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy. The draft was prepared by the Committee on Responsibility. 2004 (A. 2004.
4 (2) explicitly provides for the cases that must be heard En Banc and sec. The Audencia exercised both administrative and judicial functions. The Royal Audencia was established on May 5. par.Supreme Court of the Philippines The barangay chiefs exercised judicial authority prior to the arrival of Spaniards in 1521. Filipinization of the Supreme Court started only during the Commonwealth. Otis re-established the Audencia on May 29. four oidores (justices) and a fiscal. (Constitution. civil and criminal. 4. the majority of whom were American. 1583. VIII. To effectively discharge this constitutional mandate. VIII. Said Order provided for six Filipino members of the Audencia. judicial powers were vested upon Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Article VIII. A territorial Audencia in Cebu and Audencia for criminal cases in Vigan were organized on February 26. Pursuant to the provisions of the 1987 Constitution. sec. as mended by Presidential Decree No.1) Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 transferred from the Department of Justice to the Supreme Court the administrative supervision of all courts and their personnel. 1935. Its functions and structure were modified in 1815 when its president was replaced by a chief justice and the number of justices was increased. The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) was created under Presidential Decree No. sec. Art. 1899 by virtue of General Order No. The Court may sit En Banc or in its three (3) divisions composed of five members each. Major General Elwell S. This was affirmed by Art. 20. The 1973 Constitution further increased its membership to 15 with two (2) divisions. 828. sec. With the ratification of the 1935 Constitution. During the early years of the Spanish period. 1901 with Cayetano Arellano as the first Chief Justice together with associate justices. the first governor general of the Philippines where he administered civil and criminal justice under the Royal Order of August 14. composed of a president. A vacancy must be filled up by the President within ninety (90) days of occurrence. Administrative Code of 1917 provided for a Supreme Court with a Chief Justice and eight associate Justices. 1569. Act No. 136 abolished the Audencia and established the present Supreme Court on June 11. Royal Decree issued July 24. The Audencias were suspended by General Wesley Merrit when a military government was established after Manila fell to American forces in 1898. 1898. It came to be known as the Audencia Territorial de Manila with two branches. 6 of the 1987 Constitution. 842. the membership was increased to 11 with two divisions of five members each. and and its
. 1861 converted it to a purely judicial body wherein its decisions were appealable to the Supreme Court of the Philippines to the Court of Spain in Madrid. the Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices who shall serve until the age of seventy (70). 4 (3) for cases that may be heard by divisions.
international or executive agreement. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court. Such rules shall provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases. Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law (Sec. id. order. as the law or the Rules of Court may provide final judgments and orders of lower courts in: All cases ion which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty. All criminal cases ion which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher. and over petitions for certiorari. instruction. increase or modify substantive rights. The Supreme Court exercises the following powers: Exercise jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors. presidential decree. All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved. According to the 1987 Constitution. All cases involving the legality of any tax. Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights. three (3) Deputy Court Administrators and three (3) Assistant Court Administrators. or toll. All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue. pleadings and practice and procedure in all courts. Review. Its principal function is the supervision and administration of the lower courts throughout the Philippines and all their personnel.). and habeas corpus. law. revise. and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Art. practice. the admission to the practice of law. It reports and recommends to the Supreme Court all actions that affect the lower court management. and shall not diminish. Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice. reverse. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent of the judge concerned. pleading. 1996. prohibition. and the admission in the practice of law. or regulation is in question. VIII. 5 . In line with this mandate of the Rules of
. ordinance. the Integrated Bar. other public ministers and consuls. The Supreme Court has adopted and promulgated the Rules of Court for the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights. modify. 5. sec. quo warranto. or affirm on appeal or certiorari. shall be uniform for all courts the same grade. assessment. Assign temporarily judges of lower court to other stations as public interest may require.functions further strengthened by a Resolution of the Supreme Court En Bans dated October 24. impost. The OCA is headed by the Court Administrator. or any penalty imposed in relation thereto. and procedure in all courts. proclamation. mandamus.
01-1-04-sc-PHILJA). The Judicial and Bar Council was created by virtue of Art. judge. 1996 by virtue of Administrative Order No. 2007. a representative of the Integrated Bar. 2008. the Secretary of Justice and representatives of Congress as ex-officio members.
. 1998 by virtue of Republic 8557.M. It is an important component of the Supreme Court for its important mission on judicial education. The same resolution designated the Philippine Judicial Academy as the component unit of the Supreme Court for Court-Annexed Mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms.M. Amendments are promulgated through the Committee on Revision of Rules. among others. 35-96 and was institutionalized on February 26. the Supreme Court passed two important Resolutions: the Rule on the Writ of Amparo. and in line with the objectives of the Action Program for Judicial Reforms (APJR) to decongest court dockets. dated October 16. The Court also issues administrative rules and regulations in the form of court issuances and the Supreme Court E-Library website. a professor of law. 8. The Philippine Mediation Center was organized ―pursuant to Supreme Court ―en banc‖ Resolution A.‖ Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office was organized to implement the rules on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (B. 850 – ―Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)). The Judicial and Bar Council has promulgated on October 31. lawyers and aspirants to judicial posts. the Court prescribed guidelines in institutionalizing and implementing the mediation program in the Philippines. 2000 its Rules (JBC-009) in the performance of its function. sec. No. 2001. 01-10-5-SC-PHILJA.‖ It was originally created by the Supreme Court on March 16. court personnel. It is composed of the Chief Justice as ex-officio Chairman. It holds office in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines main office. approved on September 25. approved on January 22. a retired member of the Supreme Court and a representative of the private sector as members. and the Rule on the Writ of Habeas Data. 2007 and effective on October 24. No appointee to the Bench may commence the discharge his adjudicative function without completing the prescribed court in the Academy. 2008 and effective February 2.M. The Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA) is the ―training school for justices. Its organizational structure and administrative set-up are provided for by the Supreme Court in its En Banc resolution ( Revised A. Its principal function is to screen prospective appointees to any judicial post. No.Court and extrajudicial killing and disappearances. VIII. No. and established the Philippine Mediation Center (PMC). under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
and of subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph (4) of the fourth paragraph of Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948. It was abolished by President Osmena in 1945. for Manila and for Visayas and Mindanao. 129 changed the name of the Court of Appeals to Intermediate Appellate Court. and quo warrant. and Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgments. sec. Batas Pambansa Blg. Section 9 of Batas Pambansa Blg.
. boards or commissions. 5204 to twenty-four (24). 1605 to eighteen (18). With Republic Act No. the provisions of this Act. except those falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the Constitution. resolutions. decisions. Batas Pambansa Blg. 52 with a Presiding Justice and fifteen (15) Associate Justices. pursuant to Executive Order No. 1935). 1482 to one (1) Presiding Justice and thirty-four (34) Associate Justices. Republic Act No. Republic Act No. 129 as amended by Executive Order No. 129 to fifty (50). including the Securities and Exchange Commission. Central and Southern Luzon. 3 (December 31. prohibition. 7902 provides for the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals as follows: Original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus. as amended.Court of Appeals Commonwealth Act No. it was re-established on October 4. Executive Order No. the Court of Appeals in Cebu. 1936 and was composed of eleven justices with Justice Pedro Concepcion as the first Presiding Justice. the Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 33 and Republic Act No. 4. It was formally organized on February 1. Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgment of Regional Trial Courts. whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction. 37 due to the prevailing abnormal conditions. the Social Security Commission. However. and auxiliary writs or processes. 442. 1). certiorari habeas corpus. instrumentalities. Its composition was increased by the following enactments: Republic Act No. 1946 by virtue of Republic Act No. established the Court of Appeals. 33 brought back its name to Court of Appeals. and Cagayan de Oro were established. Its composition was increased to 15 in 1938 and further increased to 17 in 1942 by virtue of Executive Order No. 8246 to sixty-nine (69). The Court of Appeals was regionalized in the later part of 1944 when five District Court of Appeals were organized for Northern. Presidential Decree No. pursuant to the 1935 Constitution (Art VIII. orders or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies. 8246. the Employees Compensation Commission and the Civil Service Commission.
the Chief Justice issued Administrative Order No. its jurisdiction has been expanded where it now enjoys the same level as the Court of Appeals. For those emanating from Visayas. No. 2005. 118-2007. 02-6-13-CA) and amended by a resolution of the Court En Banc on July 13. 4)). Pursuant to Republic Act No. it serves as an appellate court to review tax cases. Sandiganbayan The Anti-Graft Court. sec. No. 1954. all divisions of the Court of Appeals stationed in Cebu are designated to handle these cases while the Court of Appeals stationed in Cagayan De Oro will handle cases from Mindanao.M. 1125 on June 16. or Sandiganbayan. XI. resolved to approve the 2002 Internal Rules of the Court of Appeals (A. 05-11-07-CTA) and amended by a resolution of the Court En Banc on November 22. was created to maintain integrity. Second and Third Divisions of the Court of Appeals to handle cases involving the crimes of terrorism or conspiracy to commit terrorism and all other matters incident to the said crimes emanating from the Metropolitan Manila and Luzon. 02-6-07—SB) Court of Tax Appeals Created by Republic Act No. Under Republic Act No.M. designating the First. 9372 otherwise known as the Human Security Act of 2007. 9282.
. 2004 (A. The Supreme Court. 5) and 1987 Constitution (Art.M. 03-05-03-SC). It was restructured by Presidential Decree No. 2002 (A. resolved with modification the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan on August 28. No. 1606 as amended by Republic Act No. XIII. honesty and efficiency in the bureaucracy and weed out misfits and undesirables in government service (1973 Constitution (Art.The Supreme Court.M. No. 8249. acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court. It is composed of a Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices still in five Divisions of three (3) Justices each. acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court. from three to six justices. This law has doubled its membership. sec. The Supreme Court acting on the recommendation of the Committee on Revision of the Rules of Court resolved to approve the Revised Rules of the Court of Tax Appeals (A.
in which case the inaction shall be deemed a denial. of the Tariff and Customs Code.A. fees. refunds of internal revenue taxes. fees or other charges. and the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of agricultural product. forfeitures or other penalties imposed in relation thereto. respectively. where either party may appeal the decision to impose or not to impose said duties. 8800. fees or other charges. or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Decisions of the Secretary of Finance on customs cases elevated to him automatically for review from decisions of the Commissioner of Customs which are adverse to the Government under Section 2315 of the Tariff and Customs Code. commodity or article. refunds of internal revenue taxes. or other money charges. and safeguard measures under R. fines. Decisions of the Commissioner of Customs in cases involving liability for customs duties. penalties imposed in relation thereto. detention or release of property affected. Decisions of the Central Board of Assessment Appeals in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction over cases involving the assessment and taxation of real property originally decided by the provincial or city board of assessment appeals. or other matters arising under the Customs Law or other laws administered by the Bureau of Customs.The Court of Tax Appeals has exclusive appellate jurisdiction to review by appeal the following: Decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed. commodity or article. penalties in relation thereto. In actions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue in cases involving disputed assessments. involving dumping and countervailing duties under Section 301 and 302. No. assessments. Decisions. orders or resolutions of the Regional Trial Courts in local tax cases originally decided or resolved by them in the exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction. seizure. Decisions of the Secretary of Agriculture in the case of nonagricultural product.
. or other matters arising under the National Internal Revenue Code or other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. where the National Internal Revenue Code provides a specific period of action.
MTCs and MCTCs. agrarian cases. The jurisdictions are defined in sec. The Interim Rules was promulgated in November 2000 and
. and no right to reserve the filing of such action separately form the criminal action will be recognized. juvenile and domestic relations cases. the criminal action and the corresponding civil action for the recovery of civil liability for taxes and penalties shall at all times be simultaneously instituted with. Any provision of law or the Rules of Court to the contrary notwithstanding.000. which are divided into several branches.M. urban land reform cases which do not fall under the jurisdiction of quasi-judicial bodies. resolution or orders of the RTCs in the exercise of their appellate jurisdiction over tax collection cases originally decided by the MeTCs. Exclusive appellate jurisdiction in criminal offenses: Over appeals from judgments. 7671. dangerous drugs cases. exclusive of charges and penalties. The Supreme Court issues resolutions designating specific branches of the Regional Trial Courts as special courts for heinous crimes. commercial courts and intellectual property rights violations.00) or where there is no specified amount claimed shall be tried by the regular Courts and the jurisdiction of the CTA shall be appellate. 00-8-10-SC is a resolution of the Court En Banc on the Rules of Procedure on Corporate Rehabilitation. and jointly determined in the same proceeding by. resolutions or orders of the Regional Trial Courts in tax collection cases originally decided by them. Special rules are likewise promulgated. No. Over petitions for review of the judgments.000. claimed is less than One million pesos (P 1. however. Regional Trial Courts They are called the second level courts and are divided into thirteen (13) judicial regions: National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and the twelve (12) regions of the country. That offenses or felonies mentioned in this paragraph where the principal amount of taxes and fees. in their respective territorial jurisdiction. A. the CTA the filing of the criminal action being deemed to necessarily carry with it the filing of the civil action. in their respective jurisdiction. 129 as amended by Republic Act No. The Supreme Court designates certain branches of regional trial courts as special courts to handle exclusively criminal cases.It also has jurisdiction over cases involving criminal offenses as herein provided: Exclusive original jurisdiction over all criminal offenses arising from violations of the National Internal Revenue Code or Tariff and Customs Code and other laws administered by the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs: Provided. 19-23 of Batas Pambansa Blg.
and All other cases in which the demand. where the gross value of the estate exceeds One hundred thousand pesos (P 100. 19. 99-11-07) because the family courts to be established pursuant to Republic Act No. both testate and intestate. where such gross value exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200. Batas Pambansa Blg.00). The Regional Trial Courts‘ jurisdictions are defined as follows: Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction in Civil Cases as follows: All civil actions in which the subject of the litigation is incapable of pecuniary estimation.000. original jurisdiction over which is conferred upon the MeTCs. All actions involving the contract of marriage and marital relations. All actions in admiralty and maritime jurisdiction where the demand or claim exceeds one hundred thousand pesos (P 100.M. civil actions in Metro Manila. or possession of real property. Pursuant to Republic Act No. in probate matters in Metro Manila. where the demand. All civil actions which involve the title to.
.December 2008 affects special commercial courts. where the assessed value of the property involved exceeds twenty thousand pesos (P 20. and MCTCs.00) or.00).000.00) except actions for forcible entry into and unlawful detainer of lands or buildings.000. Some Regional Trial Courts are specifically designated to try and decide cases formerly cognizable by the Securities and Exchange Commission (A. No.A No.000.000. or any interest therein. attorney‘s fees.000. 99-11-07).00) (Sec.000. the Family Court Law of 1997. No. 8369. in such other cases in Metro Manila. tribunal. 8369 of the Family Court Law of 1997 have not yet been organized.000. litigation expenses and costs or the value of the property in controversy exceeds One hundred thousand pesos (P 100. exclusive of interest. exclusive of the above-mentioned items exceeds Two hundred pesos (P 200. as amended by R. All civil actions and special proceedings falling within the exclusive original jurisdiction of a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and of the Court of Agrarian Relations as now provided by law. damages of whatever kind. some branches of the Regional Trial Courts have been designated as family courts (A.M. No.00) or. All matters of probate.00) or. 7691). All cases not within the exclusive jurisdiction of any court. person or body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.00) or. where such value exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (P 50. MTCs. in Metro Manila. 129.M. where such demand or claim exceeds two hundred thousand pesos (P 200. 00-11-030SC) Some branches of the Regional Trial Courts have been designated as family courts (A.
They shall exercise appellate jurisdiction over MeTCs. including the grant of provisional remedies in proper cases. and 9308. That interests. the amount of the demand shall be the totality of the claims in all the causes of action arose out of the same or different transactions. estate or amount of the demand does not exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (P 200. That where there are several claims or causes of action between the same or different parties embodied in the same complaint. MTCs. Exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer: Provided. estate or amount of the demand does not exceed One hundred thousand pesos (P 100. habeas corpus. Provided further. 9276. 9306. mandamus. prohibition. litigation expenses and costs shall be included in the determination of the filing fees. MTCs. and injunction which may be enforced in any part of their respective regions. where the value of the personal property. Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTC). the issue of ownership shall be resolved only to determine the issue of possession. Their jurisdiction is provided for by section 33. in such cases.00). and MCTCs in their respective territorial jurisdiction. and costs the amount of which must be specifically alleged: Provided. MTCCs.Exercise original jurisdiction in other cases as follows: The issuance of writs of certiorari. quo warranto. 9305. attorney‘s fees.00) or. and Actions affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls. and MCTCs shall exercise original jurisdiction in Civil Cases as provided for in section 33 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 is as follows: Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings. Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC). Their jurisdiction has been expanded by special laws namely Republic Act Nos. in Metro Manila where such personal property. damages of whatever kind.000. attorney‘s fees.000. That when. the defendant raises the question of ownership in his pleadings and the question of ownership in his pleadings and the question of possession cannot be resolved without deciding the issue of ownership. MeTCs. exclusive of interests. testate and intestate. and
. 35 of Batas Pambansa Blg 129. MTCCs. 9252. damages of whatever kind . Municipal Trial Courts (MTC) and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC) These are called the first level courts established in each city and municipality. litigation expenses.
That in cases of land not declared for taxation purposes the value of such property shall be determined by the assessed value of the adjacent lots (Sec.‖ Shari‘a Courts These special courts were created by sec. 129 provides that the Supreme Court may designate MeTCs. and MCTCs are empowered to hear and decide petitions for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal cases in the province or city in the absence of the Regional Trial Court Judges. No. Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts were designated to try small claims cases for payment of money where the value of the claim does not exceed One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100. pursuant to Rule 111 of the Revised Rules Of Criminal Procedure. and 155 of Presidential Decree No. 1083. Their decision is can be appealed in the same manner as the Regional Trial Courts. MTCs. Municipal Trial Courts in Cities.000. enacted September 9. MTCs. MTCCs. in civil actions in Metro Manila. 08-8-7-SC. 137 of Presidential Decree No. or reserved upon the filing of the criminal action in court. 129). 2008 and effective October 12008.00). The judges should possess all the qualifications of a Regional Trial Court Judge and should also be learned in Islamic law and jurisprudence. where such assessed value does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (P 50. These courts shall apply the rules of procedure provided in A. litigation expenses and costs: Provided. The MeTCs. 33. either filed before the institution of the criminal action. Section 33 of Batas Pambansa Blg. No.000.00) exclusive of interest and costs.00) exclusive of interest.M. MTCCs. the Metropolitan Trial Courts.00) or. or possession of. Article 143 of Presidential Decree No.Exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions which involve title to. 08-8-7-SC in all actions ―which are: (a) purely civil in nature where the claim or relief prayed for by the plaintiff is solely for payment or reimbursement of sum of money. By virtue of A.000. real property.M. attorney‘s fees. Articles 143. damages of whatever kind. 1083 provides the jurisdiction of the said courts as follows: Shari‘a District Courts (SDC) as provided for in paragraph (1). or any interest therein where the assessed value of the property or interest therein does not exceed Twenty thousand pesos (P 20.000. 144. Batas Pambansa Blg. 1083 or the Code of Muslim Personal Laws. and MCTCs to hear and determine cadastral or land registration cases where the value does not exceed one hundred thousand pesos (P100. shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the following cases:
. and (b) the civil aspect of criminal actions.
paternity and filiations arising under the Code. All civil actions and proceedings between parties who are Muslims or have been married in accordance with Article 13 of the Code involving disputes relating to:
. certiorari. legitimacy. probate of wills. Article 155 of Presidential Decree No. and all other auxiliary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction. All cases involving disposition. All actions arising from customary contracts in which the parties are Muslim. Article 144 of Presidential Decree No. habeas corpus. change of name and commitment of an insane person to any asylum: All other personal and real actions not mentioned in paragraph (1) (d) wherein the parties involved are Muslims except those for forcible entry and unlawful detainer. All special civil actions for interpleader or declaratory relief wherein the parties are Muslims or the property involved belongs exclusively to Muslims. The SDC in concurrence with existing civil courts shall have original jurisdiction over the following cases (paragraph (2) of Article 143): Petitions by Muslims for the constitution of family home. injunction. if they did not specified which law shall govern their relations. 1083 provides that the SCCs have exclusive original jurisdiction over: All cases involving offenses defined and punished under the Code. and All petitions for mandamus. issuance of letters of administration or appointment of administrators or executors regardless of the nature or aggregate value of the property. distribution and settlement of the estates of deceased Muslims. 1083 provides that the SDC within shall have appellate jurisdiction over all cases tried in the Shari‘a Circuit Courts (SCC) within their territorial jurisdiction. which shall fall under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the MTCs. guardianship. Petitions for the declaration of absence and death and for the cancellation or correction of entries in the Muslim Registries mentioned in Title VI of Book Two of the Code. prohibition.All cases involving custody.
Central Board of Assessment Appeals. Shari‘a courts and personnel are subject to the administrative supervision of the Supreme Court. Bureau of Patents. Quasi-Courts or Quasi-Judicial Agencies Quasi-judicial agencies are administrative agencies. Department of Agrarian Reform. Civil Aeronautics Board. Quasi-judicial agencies which are empowered by the Constitution are the Constitutional Commissions: Civil Service Commission. Customary dower (mahr). Trademark and Technology. · All cases involving disputes to communal properties. En Banc Resolution of the Supreme Court in 183. more properly belonging to the Executive Department. National Labor Relations Commission. Betrothal or breach of contract to marry. Agricultural Inventions Board and the Board of Investments. National Conciliation Mediation Board. Divorce recognized under the Code. Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit. Insurance Commission. and consolatory gifts (mut‘a). Maintenance and support. National Telecommunication Commission. provided the special rules of procedure in the Shari‘a courts (Ijraat-Al Mahakim Al Sharia‘a). Energy Regulatory Board. When needed. Rules of procedure are provided for in articles 148 and 158. Government Service Insurance System. tenure. Land Registration Authority. Social Security System. Construction Industry Arbitration Commission. Philippine Atomic Energy Commission. National Electrification Administration. and Restitution of marital rights. and compensation are subject to the provisions of the Muslim Code (Presidential Decree No. Disposition and distribution of property upon divorce. SDCs and SCCs have the same officials and other personnel as those provided by law for RTCs and MTCs. qualifications. the Supreme Court issues rules and regulations for these quasi-judicial agencies in the
. Employees Compensation Commission. Appointment of judges. Securities and Exchange Commission. Quasi-judicial agencies empowered by statutes are: Office of the President. respectively. 1083.Marriage. but are empowered by the Constitution or statutes to hear and decide certain classes or categories of cases.
sec. designated the Philippine Judicial Academy as the component unit of the Supreme Court for court-referred or court-related mediation cases and alternative dispute resolution mechanism and establishing the Philippine Mediation Center. 8799.‖ reorganized the Securities and Exchange Commission (Chapter II) and provided for its powers and function (sec.M. This system of amicable settlement of dispute aims to promote the speedy administration of justice by easing the congestion of court dockets. Chapter 7. Republic Act No. took effect December 11. Decisions of these quasi-courts can be appealed to the Court of Appeals except those of the Constitutional Commissions: Civil Service Commission. 902-A (sec. arbitration or any combination thereof.2). This act shall be without prejudice to the adoption of the Supreme Court of any ADR system such as mediation. Rules and procedures were provided by this decree and the Local Government Code. Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit. 5. and established a system of amicably settling disputes at the barangay level. 2001 (Administrative Matter No. No. IX-A. or the Katarungang Pambarangay Law. Title I. Other Judicial Procedures Katarungang Pambarangay – Presidential Decree No. 7).performance of their judicial functions. Muslin law provides its own arbitration Council called The Agama Arbitration Council. 8799 (A. 01-2-04-SC). Pres. The Supreme Court promulgated rules of procedure governing intra-corporate controversies under Republic Act No. Decree No. The Supreme Court by virtue of an En Banc Resolution dated October 16. 1978. 9285 institutionalized the use of an alternative dispute resolution system which serves to promote the speedy and impartial administration of justice and unclog the court dockets. conciliation. 0110-5-SC-PHILJA).
. 1508. which can be appealed by certiorari to the Supreme Court (Art. sec.5). Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) System – Republic Act No. 5. 339-422). The Court does not take cognizance of cases filed if they are not filed first with the Katarungang Pambarangay. Specifically provided for in these powers and function is the Commission‘s jurisdiction over all cases previously provided for in sec. known as the ―Securities Regulation Code.
IX-B and reiterated by the provision of the 1987 Administrative Code (Executive Order No. cities. 41 (a). sangguniang bayan (municipalities) are elected by districts while the sangguniang barangay are elected at large. (1991 Local Government Code. 3. provides the detail that implements the provision of the Constitution. The officials. Its present status is provided for in the 1987 Constitution. The President exercises supervision over local Governments. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank) is considered as a constitutional office in the official Philippine government directory. city mayor. sangguniang panglunsod (for cities). the governor. The COMELEC exercises administrative. Republic Act No. quasi-judicial and judicial powers. Commission on Elections – It is the constitutional commission created by a 1940 amendment to the 1935 Constitution whose primary function is to manage to maintain its authority and independence in the conduct of elections. audit and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of and expenditures or uses of funds and property owned or held in trust by or pertaining to the Government including government owned and controlled corporations with original charters. 5 (1900) established the Philippine civil service and was reorganized as a Bureau in 1905. municipal vice-mayor and punong barangay are elected by their respective units. as amended by Republic Act No. 807 further redefined its role. It was established in the 1935 Constitution. The 1991 Local Government Code or Republic Act No. 2 of the 1987 Constitution provided the powers and authority of the Commission on Audit. Presidential Decree No.5 Local Governments Article X of the 1987 Constitution provides for the territorial and political subdivisions of the Philippines as follows: province. Its membership increased to nine with a term of nine years by the 1973 Constitution. city vice mayor. sec. 2260 (1959) converted it from a Bureau into the Civil Service Commission. 9009. Chapter 1. municipalities and barangays. municipal mayor. namely. 7160. The regular members of the sangguniang panlalawigan (for the province). Title II.
.3. Art.4 Constitutional Commissions Civil Service Commission – Act No. Commission on Audit – Article IX. 292). sec. It was however decreased to seven with a term of seven years without re-appointment by the 1987 Constitution. which is to examine. Each territorial or political subdivision enjoys local autonomy as defined in the Constitution.
abolished or its boundary altered by law or act of Congress. 9435.R. their constitutionality can be question in the Supreme Court. 9436 and 9491. The Cityhood Laws were declared as unconstitutional for they violated sections 6 and 10. subject to the approval of majority votes cast by its residents in a plebiscite conducted by the Comelec (Local Government Code. members of the sangguniang panlalawigan and other appointed officials. This can be seen in the November 18. In order for a municipality to be converted into cities. The Cityhood laws referred to in this case are: Republic Acts 9389. 9407. The municipal government is composed of the mayor. Chapter 1. City of Calbayog filed consolidated petitions questioning the constitutionality of the Cityhood Laws and enjoined the Commission on Elections and the respondent municipality from conducting plebiscites. sec. The Provincial government is composed of the governor. vice-mayor. 459). Title II. Title III. sec. 177499. The city consists of more urbanized and developed barangays which are created. A plebiscite must be conducted to determine if a majority of the people in the said municipality are in favor of converting the municipality into a city.
. A City may be classified either as a component or highly urbanized. 178056. Article X of the 1987 Constitution. Although laws have been passed. 9405. divided. Carpio. Chapter 1. 9404. November 18. 9392. merged. 9391. 2008 decision penned by Justice Antonio T. 9408. No. Title IV. 9409. subject to the approval of majority votes casts in a plebiscite conducted by the Comelec (Local Government Code. 9394. vicegovernor. City of Iloilo. members of the sangguniang panlunsod (which is composed of the president of the city chapter of the liga ng mga barangay. vice-mayor. 9390. divided. sec. sangguniang members (which is composed of president of the municipal chapter of the liga ng mga barangay. president of the panlungsod ng mga pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan and the sectoral representatives) and other appointed officials.Each region is composed of several provinces while each province is composed of a cluster of municipalities and component cities (Local Government Code. 9398. G. president of the pambayang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan and the sectoral representatives) and other appointed officials. 176951. 448-449). 2008). merged. Chapter 1. (League of Cities of the Philippines (CP) represented by LCP National President Jerry Trenas v. a law or act of Congress must be passed by virtue of the provisions of the Local Government Code and the Constitution. 9434. The League of Cities of the Philippines. The municipality consists of a group of barangays which is created. Commission on Elections. The city government is composed of the mayor. 9293. abolished or its boundary altered by law or act of Congress. 440-441).
1989. divided. The Cordillera Autonomous Region was created by Republic Act No. Section 27 (1) of the Constitution on March 31. subject to the approval of majority votes casts in a plebiscite conducted by the Comelec (Local Government Code. Chapter 1. 7901 which was passed by both houses of Congress and approved by the President on February 23. The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was created by Republic Act No. 384-385) The Philippines is divided into the following local government units: Region I (ILOCOS REGION) Region II (CAGAYAN VALLEY) Region III (CENTRAL LUZON) Region IV (CALABARZON & MIMAROPA) Region V (BICOL REGION) Region VI (WESTERN VISAYAS) Region VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS) Region VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS) Region IX (ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA) Region X (NORTHERN MINDANAO) Region XI (DAVAO REGION) Region XII (SOCCSKSARGEN) Region XIII (CARAGA) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindano (ARMM) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) National Capital Region (NCR) The Caraga Administrative Region (Region III) was created by Republic Act No. 2001. sec. merged. Title I. 1995. 6766 which was approved on October 23. abolished or its boundary altered by law or by an ordinance of the sangguniang panlalawigan or sangguniang panlunsod.
. 6734 was passed by both houses of Congress on February7.The Barangay is the smallest local government unit which is created. 2001 and lapsed into law without the signature of the President in accordance with Article VI.
. XI. 3 (1)) while the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachments cases (Art. 4. Like other legal systems. It is composed of a Chairperson and four (4) members. the Constitution and legislative enactments. there are two main sources of law. It is composed of the Ombudsman and six (6) deputies. sec. treaties. 3(6)). statutes proper or legislative enactments. 4.1 Nature of the Philippine Legal System The Philippine legal system may be considered as a unique legal system because it is a blend of civil law (Roman). duties and functions are provided for in section 13. In the Philippines. 12). sec. 2 the Civil Service Law). Vice President. sec.6 Other Government Agencies Commission on Human Rights – The Commission on Human Rights was created as an independent office for cases of violation of the human rights (Art. However. statutory law includes constitutions.2 Sources of Law There are two primary sources of the law: Statutes or statutory law – Statutes are defined as the written enactment of the will of the legislative branch of the government rendered authentic by certain prescribed forms or solemnities are more also known as enactment of congress. graft and corruption. The President. 6770. Specific powers and duties are expressly provided for by section 18 of the 1987 Constitution. sec. XI. Its powers. Constitutional Commission and the Ombudsman may be removed from office by impeachment for conviction of violations of the Constitution. (Art. sec. sec. Generally they consist of two types. Office of the Ombudsman – The 1987 Constitution explicitly provides that Ombudsman and his deputies are called the protectors of the people for they are tasked to act promptly on complaints filed against public officials or employees of the government including government owned and controlled corporations (Art. treason. bribery. Muslim (Islamic) law and indigenous law. members of the Supreme Court. XI. Legal System 4. Republic Act No. XI. 15 provides that the Ombudsman shall give priority to complaints filed against high ranking government officials and those occupying supervisory positions. XIII. 2). sec. It is responsible for prosecuting government official for their alleged crimes.3. common law (Anglo-American). The House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate (Art. other high crimes or betrayal of public trust. XI. 17). All other public officials and employees may be removed by law (Art.
Executive Orders. bureaus and agencies. Each of the three branches of government: Legislative. Batas Pambansa. Jurisprudence – or case law – is cases decided or written opinion by courts and by persons performing judicial functions. Aquino before the opening Congress in July 1987 can be classified as legislative acts. Classification of Legal Sources Primary Authority is the only authority that is binding on the courts. etc.). Razul in his book Commentaries and Jurisprudence on the Muslin Law of the Philippines (1984) further stated there are new sources of muslim law. Al Mursalah or public interest. volume 1 (January 28. We however need to clarify that the Presidential Decrees or law issued by President Ferdinand E. Jainal D. Marcos during Martial Law and Executive Orders issued by Aquino President Corazon C. Administrative Orders. The legislature promulgates statutes. which some jurists rejected such as Istihsan or juristic preference. Executive promulgates presidential issuances (Presidential Decrees. the primary sources of Shariah are Quran. administrative rules and orders. Memorandum Circular. promulgates laws.‖ Legal of materials primary authority are those that contain actual law or those that contain law created by government. Only decisions of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal are available in print as House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal Reports. Executive and Judiciary.
. Classification by Authority ―Authority is that which may be cited in support of an action. court rules. Ijma and Qiyas. Commonwealth Act. rules and regulations through its various departments. Al-Masalih.charters. Republic Act. 1990) to present. Also included are all rulings in administrative and legislative tribunals such as decisions made by the Presidential or Senate or House Electoral Tribunals. theory or hypothesis. Istidlal (custom) and Istishab. The Judiciary promulgates judicial doctrines embodied in decisions. (deduction based on continuity or permanence). municipal legislation. For Muslim law. Proclamations. legislative rules and presidential issuance. They will be available electronically at the Supreme Court E-Library and as a separate CD. 1988-October 3. there being no legislature during these two periods. Sunnaqh. namely: Act.
Secondary authority or sources are commentaries or books. Words and Phrases and different law dictionaries. These sources as used specially when there are no Philippine authorities available or when the Philippine statute or jurisprudence under interpretation is based on either the Spanish or American law.g. The Supreme Court . University of Santo Tomas and a number of prominent law libraries also have a Spanish collection where a great number of our laws originated. journal articles that explain. With regards to commentaries or books. Securities and Exchange Commission or circulars of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. journal articles. Perfecto Fernandez on Labor Law. Some of the authors of good reputation and considered experts in the field are Chief Justice Ramon C. discuss or comment on primary authorities. Spanish and American laws and jurisprudence. treatise. Chief Justice Enrique M. These materials are not binding on courts but they have persuasive effect and/or the degree of persuasiveness. and Justice Vicente Abad Santos and Senator Jovito Salonga on International Law.
. treatise. Also included in this category are the opinions of the Department of Justice. West‘s national reporter system. Joaquin Bernas on Constititional Law. important reference materials such as the American Jurisprudence. Aquino and Justice Carolina Grino Aquino on Revised Penal Code or Criminal Law. Vicente Francisco. the reputation or expertise of the author is a consideration. etc. Senator Arturo M. Fernando and Fr. University of the Philippines. It is in this regard that the collections of law libraries in the Philippines include United States court reports. writings. writings. Corpus Juris Secundum. Some of these law libraries subscribe to the Westlaw and/or LexisNexis. Chief Justice Manuel Moran on Remedial Law. court reports of England and international tribunal. Prof. Tolentino on Civil law. Persuasive mandatory authority is law created by other jurisdictions but which have persuasive value to our courts e.Primary Authority or sources may be further subdivided into the following: Mandatory primary authority is law created by the jurisdiction in which the law operates like the Philippines.
Sulpicio Guevara published three books which contain s the full text of legislative enactments or laws namely: a). Complete court reports for Supreme Court decisions from 1901 to the present can be found in the Philippine Reports. compilation of laws from 1935-1945 c). Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA). The second edition contains Republic Acts. Primary sources are those published by the issuing agency itself or the official repository. pleading and even court decisions show SCRA‘s popular acceptance. the secondary source may be cited. Fernando who requested then President Ferdinand E. The publication of the Philippine Reports by the National Printing Office ceased in 1960s. the primary and official source. For the Supreme Court decisions. For Supreme Court decisions. treatise. the primary sources are the Philippine Reports. There was no primary source for complete compilation of Supreme Court decisions for more than twenty (20) years. compilation of all laws from 1901 to 1935. Prof. b). Publication of Supreme Court decisions in the Official Gazette is selective. Some of the Secondary sources of statutes are the Vital Legal Documents. the individually mimeographed Advance Supreme Court decisions (discontinued by the Supreme Court effective January 2009) and the Official Gazette. published by the Central Book Supply. a secondary source. It was only in 1982 when the publication of the Philippine Reports was revived by then Chief Justice Enrique M.). Marcos to take charge of its publication with special appropriation in the Judiciary‘s annual budget. The Secondary Sources are the unofficial sources and generally referred to as those commercially published or those that are not published by government agencies or instrumentalities. published by the Central Book Supply is more updated and popular in the legal community than the Philippine Reports. The Laws of the First Philippine Republic (The Laws of Malolos) 1898-1899. Public Laws Annotated (7 vols. One has to determine whether they came from primary (official) sources or secondary (unofficial sources).) . Thus.Classification by Source It is important for legal research experts to know the source where the materials were taken from. The general rule is that in the absence of a primary source.
. This was the primary rationale for the SCRA‘s popularity. the Official Gazette. Primary and secondary sources for the sources of law are found in the Philippine Legal Information Resources and Citations section – part II – of the 2009 Update. Citations in commentaries or books. the primary sources are the Official Gazette published by the National Printing Office and the Laws and Resolutions published by Congress. for Republic Acts and other legislative enactments or statutes. contains a compilation of Presidential Decrees (1973). writings. Commonwealth Acts Annotated (3vos. journal articles.
online or virtual libraries of the issuing government agency or instrumentality and the now growing websites of law offices such as Chan Robles Law Firm Library and Jaromay. G. 1986 (146 SCRA 446) case. where it is explicitly provided in its website. take precedence over the persuasive mandatory authorities. or law schools such as the Arellano Law Foundation Lawphil. more particularly the commentaries made by experts of the field. Still. 63915. they may be considered as primary sources pursuant to Executive Order No. There are however instances where the secondary authorities.With the advent of the new information technology.R. Net. In case of conflict between the two versions. Problems of the publication of compilations of statute law or the existence of the full-text of Presidential Decrees was even brought to the Supreme Court in the Tanada v. the printed version coming from the issuing government agency prevails. the next alternative might be secondary authorities.
. If these authorities are scarce or nonexistent. the version of the Official Gazette holds. with regards to Statute Law in the Philippines. our next alternative is to find any relevant persuasive mandatory authority. electronic or digitized sources are popular sources of legal information for the following reasons: a) updated legal information is readily available and b) the search engines used facilitate research. Tuvera. Legal research for statute law in the Philippines benefited remarkably from the use of the latest technology due to two major problems: a) no complete and updated published or printed search tools or law finders for statute law and b) no complete compilation of statute law from 1901-present were available. April 24. using both sources is highly recommended. Since 1987. 200. our ultimate goal is to locate mandatory primary authorities which have bearing on the legal problem at hand. No. 1986 or after the People Power or the EDSA Revolution. This case which was first decided before the bloodless revolution popularly known as People Power or the EDSA Revolution was modified in the December 29. based on the definition of primary and secondary source. These electronic sources are in the forms of CD ROMS. 1987 which provides that laws become effective fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two newspapers of general circulation. In case of conflict between the printed and electronic sources. This policy prevails even for the Supreme Court E-Library. s. If our search is still negative. and c) no complete and update manually published search tools for statute and case law. Laurente Law Office On Line Library. December 29. 1985 (220 Phil 422). With the availability of both. the other problem is how to classify sources published in the newspapers. In finding the law.
citators. and. The History of Three Constitution by a sevenman Board. A major problem in the Philippines is that there are no up-to-date Law Finders.judiciary. At times it extends to the intent of each provision or even the words used in the law. The deliberation of laws. c) a combination of both and d) ―Law Finders. encyclopedias. except Presidential Decrees and other Martial law issuances. In this regard. Jose Agaton Sibal‘s Philippine Legal Thesaurus which is likewise considered a dictionary was published in 1986. thesauri or digests. legal researchers go online virtual libraries such as the Supreme Court E-Library (http://elibrary. Provisional or Freedom and 1987 Constitutions. are available. legal dictionaries. Zaide‘s Philippine Constitutional History and Constitutions of Modern Nations (1970) and Founders of Freedom. but also include a compilation of legal information that are not available in printed form such as Opinions of the Department of Justice. The Philippine legal system recognizes the following Constitutions: Malolos. Federico Moreno‘s Philippine Law Dictionary. b) Case Law Books or Law Reports. Words and Phrases are used as alternate. Foreign law dictionaries like Blacks‘ Law Dictionary. To search for legal information.
. the deliberations of these laws must be consulted. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library. the only available Philippine law dictionary was last published in 1988. 1973. Research of statutory law does not end with consulting the law itself. enactments of legislative bodies (national or local) or they may be rules and regulations of administrative (departments or bureau) or judicial agencies. The databases developed by CD Asia include not only the compilation of Laws (statutes) and Jurisprudence. and the different databases in CD-ROM format from CD Asia Technologies Asia Inc. effective legal research can be conducted with one cardinal rule in mind: ―ALWAYS START FROM THE LATEST. 1935.Classification by Character This refers to the nature of the subject treated in books. Securities and Exchange Commission and Bangko Sentral (Central Bank) rules and regulations.‖ Law Finders refer to indexes. 5. This classification categorizes books as : a) Statute Law Books.ph). Search engines used in these databases answer for the lack of complete and updated indexes of legal information.gov.1 Research of Statute Law Statute laws are the rules and regulations promulgated by competent authorities.‖ The exception to this is when the research has defined or has provided a SPECIFIC period. Philippine Legal Research 5. In this regard. Constitution The different Constitutions of the Philippines are provided in some history books such as Gregorio F.
The Constitutional Convention proceedings provide for the intent and background of each provision of the Constitution. Zaide‘s Philippine Constitutional History and Constitutions of Modern Nations. (See. and which have limited execution by constitutional restrictions
. Making. Journals (3 volumes) and Records (5 volumes) of the Constitutional Convention of 1986 were published by the Constitutional Commission. came out with a CDROM version which facilitated research for it has a search engine. entered into by agents appointed (generally the Secretary of Foreign Affairs or ambassadors) for the purpose and duly sanctioned by supreme powers of the respective countries. Legal Bibliography on page 34) Treaties and other International Agreements A treaty is an agreement or a contract between two (bilateral) or more (multilateral) nations or sovereigns. Full text of these Constitutions will be available at the Supreme Court E-Library. 6 volumes of the Philippine Constitution. p. A photocopy and softcopy of the complete compilation is available at the Filipiniana Reading Room of the National Library of the Philippines. Treaties that do not have legislative sanctions are executive agreements which may or may not have legislative authorization. the texts are available in published Philippine constitutional law books. 176 (1970). Sources for the 1934-1935 Constitutional Convention are: 10 volumes of the Constitutional Convention Record by the House of Representatives (1966). This publication does not have an index. Origins.Text of the Malolos Constitution is available in some history books such as Gregorio F. 1973 and 1987 Constitutions will be available at the Supreme Court E-Library. The proceedings and text of the 1935. Meaning and Application by the Philippine Lawyers Association with Jose Aruego as one of its editors (1970) and Journal of the Constitutional convention of the Philippines by Vicente Francisco. periodical articles of the different Constitution are available. decisions of the Supreme Court and other courts. Proceedings of the 1973 Constitutional Convention were never published. This problem was remedied when CD Technologies Asia Inc. For the rest of the above mentioned Constitutions. Salvador Laurel‘s seven volumes book entitled Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention (1966). Commentaries or interpretations on the constitution. textbooks or treaties.
WESTLAW. There is a selective publication of treaties in the Official Gazette. The official text of treaties is published in the Official Gazette.
. a treaty or international agreement shall not be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate (Constitution. section 21). and may contract and guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic. 8 contains treaties entered into until 1981. For tax treaties Eustaquio Ordoño has published a series on the Philippine tax treaties. Department of Foreign Affairs Treaty Series (DFATS).In the Philippines. the Foreign Service Institute published the Philippine Treaties Index (1946-1982) and UN Multilateral Treaties Deposited with the Secretary General.With the UN Treaty Series. Other sources of important treaties are appended in books on the subject or law journals such as the American Journal of International Law or the Philippine Yearbook of International Law. there are two possible sources: Department of Foreign Affairs and the Senate of the Philippines. During the time of Pres. Electronically. major law libraries use the Treaties and International Agreements Researchers Archives (TIARA). There is no complete repository of all treaties entered into by the Philippines. United Nations Treaty Series (UNTS) or the University of the Philippines Law Center‘s Philippine Treaty Series (PTS). The President of the Philippines may enter into international treaties or agreements as the national welfare and interest may require. To locate the latest treaties. Forthcoming will be the compilation of treaties from 1946-2007 in CD-ROM at the Supreme Court Library. To locate these treaties. The DFATS was last published in the 1970s while the PTS‘s last volume. there was the so-called Tripoli Agreement. it is available only in UN depository libraries in the country and its United Nation Information Center in Makati. subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. LEXIS. Those without the concurrence of the Senate are considered as Executive Agreements. other online sources and the Internet. vol. Article VII. Marcos.
Act No. 6636. aside from Presidential Decrees.297 Memorandum Circular. As previously stated. both President Marcos and the Batasang Pambansa (Parliament) were issuing laws at the same time – Presidential Decrees by President Marcos and Batas Pambansa by the Philippine Parliament.275 ACTS – Enactments from 1900-1935 733 Commonwealth Acts – Enactments from 1935-1945 2034 Presidential Decrees – Enactments from 1972-1985 884 Batas Pambansa.489 Proclamations. 1. Marcos during Martial Law and the Executive Orders issued by Pres. Letters of Instruction. Act No. 157 Letter of Implementation. 6635. 832 Memorandum Order. 1.525 Letters of Instruction. the President promulgated other issuances namely: 57 General Orders. Letter of Authority. 2009 The above figures clearly show that during Martial Law. the Presidential Decrees issued by Pres.
. – Enactments from 1979-1985 9547 Republic Acts – Enactments from 1946-1972. as the last Republic Act promulgated by Congress before Martial Law was Rep. 1987.April 1. 504 Administrative Order and 1. 2. Laws passed by the new 1987 Congress started from Rep.093 Executive Orders.Statutes Proper (Legislative Enactments) Statutes are enactments of the different legislative bodies since 1900 broken down as follows: 4. During Martial Law. Aquino before the opening of Congress may be classified as legislative acts for there was no legislature during those two periods.
Approved by the President on December 19. a diagram was prepared by the House of Representatives. To better appreciate the procedure. 1185 and for Other Purposes‖.The following are the Philippine codes adopted from 1901 to present: Child and Youth Welfare Code Civil Code Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Code Coconut Industry Code Code of Commerce Cooperative Code Corporation Code Family Code Fire Code Forest Reform Code Intellectual Property Code Labor Code Land Transportation and Traffic Code Local Government Code Muslim Code of Personal Laws National Building Code National Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and Supplements National Internal Revenue Code Omnibus Election Code Philippine Environment Code Revised Administrative Code Revised Penal Code Sanitation Code State Auditing Code Tariff and Customs Code Water Code From the above list of codes.
. recently amended is the Fire Code of the Philippines. This procedure is pursuant to the Constitution and recognized by both Houses of Congress. The House of Representatives prepared the procedure on how a bill becomes a law. 2008. 9514 – ―An Act Establishing a Comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines Repealing Presidential Decree No. Republic Act No.
or both found on the upper left portion of the first page of the law is important. There are copies available at the Law Library of Congress. In researching for Proclamations. Administrative Orders. 1. orders and regulations of the President touching on the organization or mode of operation of the government. the President issuing it must be stated. Those orders fixing the dates when specific laws. The Batasang Pambansa has likewise published it proceedings. the House Bill No. take the form of executive Proclamation. When President Garcia was elected President. Administrative Acts and Orders of the President and Proclamations were published. Only a few libraries in the Philippines have these publications for the majority were destroyed during World War II. resolutions or orders cease to take effect and any information concerning matters of public moment determined by law. As a new President is sworn in. Executive Orders and Memorandum Orders & Circulars of the President. Administrative Support Bureau. The proceedings of the House of Representatives and the Philippine Senate are now available on their websites. Commonwealth Act and Presidential Decrees. To look for the intent of Republic Acts.SOURCE: Congressional Library. 1. House Printing Division. he started his Executive Order No. To facilitate the search. July 1996. resolution or executive orders. the year it was promulgated is a must. Administrative acts. and acts and commands governing the general performance of duties of public officials and employees or disposing of issues of general concern are made effective by Executive Orders. all the Presidential issuances start with No. re-arranging or adjusting districts. divisions or parts of the Philippines. or Senate Bill No. Executive Orders and Proclamations of the Governor-General were published annually in a set Executive Orders and Proclamations. Thirty three (33) volumes were published until 1935 by the Bureau of Printing. or if no year is available. Cincinnati Law Library Association (who offered to donate them to the Supreme Court of the Philippines) and some at the Library of the Institute of South East Asian Studies in Singapore. There are no available proceedings for the other laws Acts.
. The only exception was Executive Orders issued by President Carlos Garcia after he assumed the Presidency because President Magsaysay died in a plane crash. we have to go through the printed Journals and Records of both houses of Congress which contain their deliberation. He continued the number started by President Magsaysay.
rules and regulations have to be filed with the University of government agencies including government owned and controlled corporations have to file three (3) certified copies of their orders. such as in cases of imminent danger to public health. the existence of which must be expressed in a statement accompanying the rule. rules and regulations with the University of the Philippines Law Center‘s Office of National Admin istrative Register and are required to publish quarterly in a publication called National Administrative Register. unless a different date is fixed by law or specified in the rule. in order that such rules and regulations may be valid. including government owned and controlled corporations. 292) was promulgated. Before the Administrative Code of 1987. However. rules and regulations issued by the heads of Departments. these orders. and b) the National Administrative Register. the National Administrative Register is available electronically on CD-ROM (CD Asia Technologies Inc. rules and regulations were selectively published in the Official Gazette. memorandum orders and memorandum circulars for their administrative rules and regulations and they start always with number 1 every year. CDRom and in the Supreme Court website. Aside from the printed copies. all governmental and department orders.Administrative Rules and Regulations Administrative Rules and regulations are orders. and other government agencies use the administrative orders. Memorandum Orders. Bureaus.) Issuing Agency and b. Each rule becomes effective 15 days after the filing. Thus. there are two important items needed: a. This is due to the fact that all Departments. which is available in print. Even the Supreme Court issues Administrative Orders. When the 1987 Administrative Code (Executive Order No. and Administrative Matters. In handling these types of materials.) and online at the Supreme Court E-Library. The court shall take judicial notice of the certified copy of each rule duly filed or as published in the bulletin or codified rules
. Bureau and other agencies of the government for the effective enforcement of laws within their jurisdiction. they must be within the authorized limits and jurisdiction of the office issuing them and in accordance with the provisions of the law authorizing their issuance. safety and welfare. the only source to be able to get a copy of the text of these rules and regulations is the issuing government agency itself. Access to administrative rules and regulations have been facilitated due to the two developments: a) government agencies.) Year it was promulgated. have their own websites where they include the full-text of their issuances. Circulars. Rules in force on the date on which the Code took effect which are not filed within three months from the date not thereafter shall be the basis of any sanction against any person or party.
Arellano Law Foundation‘s The I Lawphil Project. military establishments in all matters relative to Armed Forces personnel. one has to go online to virtual libraries such as the Supreme Court E-Library. As previously stated. there are no up-to-date or complete Statutes finders. to facilitate legal research. As previously stated. Those published are listed in the Philippine Legal Information Resources and Citations (part II of the 2009 Update ). !e-library! A Century and 4 Years of Supreme Court Decisions and i-Law Instant CD. the Board of Pardons and Parole and state universities and colleges.University of the Philippines Law Center‘s Office of National Administrative Register is not only tasked to publish this quarterly register but must keep an up-to-date codification of all rules thus published and remaining in effect together with a complete index and appropriate tables. Judiciary. Chan Robles Virtual Law Library..
. Every rule establishing an offense or defining an act which pursuant to law is punishable as a crime or subject to a penalty shall in all cases be published in full text. and CD Asia Technologies or the different databases in CD ROM such as those of CD Asia Technologies Asia Inc. Exceptions to the ―filing requirement‖ are Congress. Constitutional Commission.
5. Supreme Court. Organizational Chart was amended due to the passage of Republic Act No. 9282 (CTA)
. Manila.2 Research of Case Law
SOURCE: 2002 Revised Manual of Clerks of Court. 2002.
Office of the Clerks of Court or their libraries. Supreme Court Decisions Decisions of the Supreme Court bind the lower courts and are a source of law. sec. Unconstitutional laws even though it is signed by the President and passed by both house of congress can not take effect in the Philippines. Regional Trial Courts divided into different judicial regions. Subordinate decisions are those made by administrative agencies performing quasi-judicial functions. The decisions of the Supreme Court. It is the judgment of this court which determines whether a law is constitutional or not. Art XI of the 1987 Constitution were created by separate laws. For the rest of the members of the Judiciary or the quasi-judicial agencies. 4. The Judicial Reform Program of the Supreme Court with the establishment of the Supreme Court E-Library aims to address this problem and also those from statute law. the law of the land.Case Law or Judicial decisions are official interpretations or manifestation of law made by persons and agencies of the government performing judicial and quasi-judicial functions. Sandiganban and the Court of Tax Appeals will be made available in the Supreme Court E-Library. 129) established the following courts: Court of Appeals. or what is referred to as court of last resort. One major problem in conducting research on case law is the availability of published or printed decisions from the Court of Appeals to the rest of the judicial and quasi-judicial agencies. Court of Appeals.
. The Shariah (Sharia‘a) Circuit and District Courts (Presidential Decree No. The Reporters Office of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals keep all the original and complete copies of the court decisions. C ourt of Tax Appeals (Republic Act No. The reorganization of the Judiciary of 1980 (Batas Pambansa Bldg. Downloading of the decisions of the Appellate Courts have started from the most recent and will continue until all their first decision from their creation will be completed. 1486 and 1606). At the apex of the Philippine Judicial System is the Supreme Court. Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. 1083). 1125) and the Sandiganbayan (Presidential Decree Nos. Metropolitan Trial Court. Municipal Trial Courts. Municipal Trial Court in Cities. Conventional decisions are decisions or rulings made by regularly constituted court of justice. copies of their decisions may be taken from the Legal Office.
The difference between the two lies in the fact that the Official Gazette selectively publishes Supreme Court decisions while Philippine Reports contains all decisions of the Supreme Court except minute resolutions. a number of the original decisions have been burned. These decisions provide the justice who penned the decision or ponente and the other justices responsible for promulgating the decision. So. These regular and extended resolutions are available electronically in the Supreme Court E-Library under Decsions. from 1901 until 1960. Separate dissenting and/or concurring opinions are likewise published with the main decision. The source of these unpublished decisions is the Office of the Reporter of the Supreme Court. Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA). In view to the importance of these decisions. Case Reports in the Philippines such as the Philippine Reports. and the Supreme Court Advance Decisions (SCAD) come in bound volumes which generally cover a month per volume. Although they bear the same force and effect as the regular decisions or extended resolutions. private collection of former Supreme Court Justices such as Chief Justice Ramon Avancena and Justice George Malcom (collection is found in the University of Michigan) and private
. This problem is being addressed by the Supreme Court E-Library where are great number of these unpublished decisions of the Supreme Court before the war were retrieved from different sources such as the United States National Archives in Maryland. whether En Banc or by Division. the Supreme Court has now incorporated these Minute Resolutions. there is no complete compilation of the original decisions of the Supreme Court. under RESOLUTIONS. Due to World War II. vol.Decisions of the Supreme Court are classified as follows: ―Regular decisions‖ and extended Resolutions are published in court reports either in primary or secondary sources. and (2) Administrative Matters in the Supreme Court E-Library. more particularly those that resolve a motion for reconsideration or those that explain or affirm a decision. However. Even before the war. the late Judge Nitafan of the Regional Trial Court of Manila started publishing Supreme Court Unpublished Decisions. The list and subject field are found at the back of each volume of the Philippine Reports. there were unpublished decisions of the Court. they are signed and issued by the respective Clerks of Court En Banc or by either of the three (3) Divisions. Some of these decisions are cited in treatises or annotations. there were unpublished decisions of the Supreme Court. The Official Gazette and Philippine Reports are the official repositories of decisions and extended resolutions of the Supreme Court. Since these Minutes Resolutions are not published. Unsigned Minute Resolutions are not published. 1 covers decisions from March 1946 to February 1952.
the oldest university in the Philippines. How can we search for Supreme Court decisions: Topic or Subject Approach: (Please See Complete title of the publication from the Philippine Legal Bibliography chapter) Philippine Digest Republic of the Philippine Digest Velayo‘s digest Magsino‘s Compendium Supreme Court‘s unpublished Subject Index Martinez‘s Summary of Supreme Court rulings 1984 to 1997 UP Law Center‘s Supreme Court decisions: subject index and digest‘s SC‘s Case Digest‘s Philippine Law and Jurisprudence Castigador‘s Citations SCRA Quick Index Digest Lex Libris Jurisprudence
. Some decisions after the second Philippine independence were still in the Spanish language. There are a number of decisions now in the Filipino language. They were translated in English to become the Philippine Reports. legal practitioners cite it more than the Philippine Reports and the Lex Libris Jurisprudence CD ROM. The early volumes. The Supreme Court‘s Philippine Reports started with volume 127. Search for the unpublished decisions still continues. Project COMPUSDEC. The Philippine Reports until volume 126 (1960′s) was published by the Bureau of Printing. A list of these unpublished decisions is in the Supreme Court E-Library.law libraries who were able to save some of their collection such as the University of Santo Tomas. Actually. The most popular secondary source is the Supreme Court Reports Annotated (SCRA). now called the National Printing Office. under JURISPRUDENCE. Printing was transferred to the Supreme Court in the 1980s due to the need for a complete official publication of the Court‘s decision. particularly those before the war were originally published in Spanish in the Jurisprudencia Filipina.
Even this publication is not a complete compilation. In this regard. They are cited in cases where there are no Supreme Court decisions in point. 1978-1981 1st Suppl. 1 covers decisions promulgated from December 1979 to 1980. Sources of Court of Appeals decisions are: Text: Official Gazette (selective publication) Court of Appeals Reports which was published by the Court of Appeals until 1980. 1986 to present is unpublished but available at the SC Lib Ateneo‘s Index & Aquirre‘s Index Lex Libris Jurisprudence/Template search Court of Appeals decisions Decisions of the Court of Appeals are merely persuasive on lower courts. Court of Tax Appeals decisions from 1980 to 2004 are found in the Lex Libris particularly in Taxation CD ROM.. they are considered as judicial guides to lower courts and that conclusion or pronouncement they make can be raised as a doctrine. Court of Appeals Reports (CAR) by Central Book Supply. Title Index to SC decisions 1946-1978 2v. 1981-1985. Sandiganbayan Reports vol. Moreno‘s Philippine Law dictionary Decisions of Special Courts Sandiganbayan and the Court of Tax Appeals do not have published decisions. One volume was published Philippine Law and Jurisprudence Reports Office of the Court of Appeals Subject or Topic Approach: Velayo‘s Digest.
.Title Approach or Title of the Approach: (Please See Complete title of the publication from the Philippine Legal Bibliography chapter) Philippine Digest – Case Index Republic of the Philippines Digest Ong. 2nd Suppl. It is still considered selective for not all CA decisions are published. The Sandiganbayan has only one volume published. M.
5) vests the Supreme Court with the power of admission to the practice of law. Securities and Exchange Commission. Legal Profession and Legal Education The Constitution (sec. The lists of lawyers who are allowed to practice are found in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court and the publication of the Court entitled. 6. The exam is given every two years. their respective issuances as well as Supreme Court decisions. 8799) signed by President Joseph E. These functions are distinct from their regular administrative or regulatory functions where rules and regulations are promulgated. Commissions and Boards Laws have been promulgated which grants some administrative agencies to perform quasi-judicial functions. The online version of the Law List. The requirements to be able to apply for admission to the bar are provided in Rule 138. It CD ROM on Labor (vol. The other agencies performing said functions are National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC). The Securities Regulations Code (Republic Act No. sec. Every applicant for the admission must be a Filipino citizen and at least 21 years of age. Board of Investments. he should have finished a four year pre-law course and a four year law degree. Some have their own publication such as the SEC and the CSC or some include them in their own websites CD Asia Technologies‘ Lex Libris series has individual CD ROMs for the Department of Justice. Social Security System (SSS) and even the Civil Service Commission (CSC). Law List. includes the annual lists of additional members of the bar. The Bar Examinations are given during the four (4) Sundays of September of each year. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).Decisions of Administrative Agencies. Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). 1983. laws and issuances of its various agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry. available in the Supreme Court and Supreme E-Library. Although the exam is conducted by the Supreme Court Bar Office.2000 affects Securities and Exchange Commission‘s (SEC) quasi-judicial functions. Included in these individual CD ROMs are the pertinent laws. Bangko Sentral and the Philippine Stock Exchange. As to the academic requirements. 2 and sections 5-6 (academic requirements).
. The judicial function to admit to the legal profession is exercised by the Supreme Court through a Bar Examination Committee. and the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Estrada on July 19. Special Bar Exams for Shari‘a Court lawyers is provided for by virtue of the Court En Banc Resolution dated September 20. Some of their decisions are published in the Official Gazette. it is the Office of Muslim Affairs who certifies as to who are qualified to take the exam. Insurance Commission. Commerce and Industry CD ROM includes Supreme Court decisions. VII) incorporated issuances from the Department of Labor and Employment and its affiliated agencies and offices. The Trade. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines). Bureau of Customs.
Philippine Association of Law Professors (PALP). 7662. ranks of active law practitioners and law students‘ sector. A Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office was established by the Supreme Court (SC Administrative Order No. 113-2003) to implement said MCLE. 1993. maintain the quality of law schools and require legal apprenticeship and continuing legal education. The reforms in the legal education system envisioned by Republic Act No. All attorneys whose names are in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court who have qualified for and have passed the bar examinations conducted annually. 1922). The members of the IBP have to complete every three (3) years at least thirty six (36) hours of continuing legal activities approved by the MCLE Committee. 2001. The Board shall be composed of a Chairman who shall preferably be a former justice of the Supreme Court of Court of Appeals and regular members composed of: a representative of each of the following: Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Bar Matter No. 7662 will require proper selection of law students. provided for reforms in legal education and created a Legal Education Board. taken the attorney‘s oath. 2000. 2008 (Bar Matter No. 850 was promulgated by the Resolution of the Supreme Court En Banc on August 22. the counsel‘s MCLE Certificate of Compliance must be indicated in all pleadings filed with the Courts. Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS). An IBP member who fails to comply with the said requirement shall pay a non-compliance fee and shall be listed as a delinquent member of the IBP.Republic Act No.
. unless otherwise disbarred must be a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. approved on December 23. as amended on October 2. providing for the rules on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) for Active Members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Under the Resolution of the Court en Banc dated September 2.
Jacinto St. Bulacan Cagayan Colleges-Tuguegarao. Mac Arthur Highway.. Cauayan. Calbayog City Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion. Taft St. Malolos. Daraga Albay Bohol Institute of Technology. JAA Penaranda St. Menlo St. Cagayan Camarines Norte School of Law. Zamora St.. Kalibo Aklan Andres Bonifacio College. Angeles City Pampanga Aquinas University. Tacloban City. Itomang. Isabela Josefina Cerilles State Collage. Davao del Sur Cordillera Career Development College. Tagbilaran City. San Ferando City. Gil Carlos St. Tuguegarao.. Rockwell Center. Pagadian City Jose Rizal University.6. Pelaez Blvd. Makati City Bicol University. Sampaloc. Eastern Samar Far Eastern University. Rodolfo N. IBP Office. Cabanatuan City Arellano University. Davao City Ateneo de Manila University. Borogan. Tuguegarao. Camarines Norte Central Philippines University. Leyte East Central Colleges. Pampanga Eastern Samar State University. 82 Shaw Blvd. Bohol Bukidnon State College. College Park. Nicanor Reyes Sr.. Taft Ave.. Rockwell Drive. Abra Adamson University. La Trinidad. Pampanga Holy Name University. Dumaguete City Harvadian Colleges. Carmen. 900 San Marcelino St. Pasay City Ateneo de Davao University. Legaspi City Araullo University. Diolog City Angeles University Foundation. Mandaluyong City Leyte Colleges. Cagayan Cagayan State University. Roxas City Cor Jesus College. Malaybalay. Baliuag. Manila Aemilianum College Inc.. Bangued. La Union Dr. Sorsogon City Aklan Colleges.. Cauayan Campus. Digos. Tacloban City Liceo de Cagayan University. San Fernando.. 2-S King‘s Building. Talisay.. Buyagan.1 Law Schools The Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court as of January 2009 has the following one hundred five (106) law schools throughout the Philippines: Abra Valley Colleges. Dr. Bulacan Foundation University. Bukidnon Bulacan State University. Miciano St. Bohol Isabela State University. St. Vicente Orestes Romualdez Education Foundation Inc.. Bitas. Tagbilaran. Cagayan de Oro City
. cor..Manila Fernandez College of Arts & Technology. San Fernando City. Iloilo City Christ the King College. Jaro. Hall of Justice. Benguet Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University..
Laoag City Notre Dame University. Quiapo. Pagadian City Palawan State University.. Mendiola St. Zamboanga del Norte Philippine Law School.P. Sta. Cebu City Tabaco Colleges. Catarman. Foundation St. Pureza St. delos Santos. Ozamis City Naval Institute of Technology-UEP New Era University. Hidalgo St. Leviste St. Albay University of Baguio. Sta. Tabaco. Tagbilaran City University of Eastern Philippines. 3700 Bayombong. F. Isabela Saint Louis College. San Miguel. Quezon City Northeastern College. Samar San Beda College. Cruz.. Ozamiz City Mindanao State University. Monica.. Isabela Northwestern University. Intramuros.. Hubbard Avenue. Eastern Samar Pagadian College of Criminology & Sciences. San Fernando City. Quezon University. La Union St. Bgy. Marawi City Misamis University. Mary‘s University. Louis University. Catbalogan. Enverga University Foundation. IBP Bldg. Dagupan City. Mesa.Luna Goco Colleges. Masbate Medina Colleges. Sindangan. Batangas City University of Bohol. Oriental Mindoro Lyceum of the Philippines. Dumaguete City. M. Manila San Pablo Colleges. Cotabato City Our Lady of Mercy Colloge. Pasadera St... Manila
. Manila Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay. Sales St. Manila Manuel S. Calapan. Sambag District. Pasay City Polytechnic College of La Union. Ferdinand College. Pasay City Philippine Advent College. New Era. Note Dame Ave. Masbate. Santiago City. L... Makati City Lyceum-Northwestern University.. Centro Iligan.. Bonifacio St. Puerto Princesa. Northern Samar University of Iloilo. Sta. Palawan Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. San Pablo City San Sebastian College-Recoletos. R.V. Borogan. Lucena City Masbate Colleges. Iloilo City University of Manila. Bonifacio St. Santa Ana.. Surigao City St.B. Milton Hills Subd. Baguio City University of Batangas. Manila Samar Coleges. La Union Polytechnic University of the Philippines.. Negros Oriental Southwestern University. Pangasinan Manila Law College Foundation.. Harrison St. Nueva Vizcaya Silliman University.. St Joseph St. Manila Manuel L. Baguio City St.. Urgillo St.
M. Laguna University of San Agustin. Recto Avenue.. Manila University of Southern Philippines Foundation. San Carlos City. Harrison Road. Vigan. Davao City University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos. Pangasinan Westeern Mindanao State University. Zamboanga City Xavier University. La Salle. C. Luna St. Bolton St. Butuan City Virgen de los Remedos College. Manila University of the Philippines. cor. P. Naga City University of Pangasinan. Colon St. Camarines Sur University of Northwestern Philippines. Bacolod City University of Northeastern Philippines. Eat Bajac-Bajac.C... Espana. Binan. Quezon City University of Visayas. The following educational Association and/or Organizations: Philippine Association of Law Deans Philippine Association of Law Professors Philippine Association of Law Students
. Pangasinan University of Perpetual Help-Rizal. 10 Fontaine St. Corales Ave. Bacolod City University of the Cordelleras. Dagupan City. Diliman. San Francisco St. Cebu City University of San Jose-Recoltos. Iloilo City University of San Carlos. Ilocos Sur University of Northern Philippines. Ilocos Sur University of Nueva Caceres... Vigan. Gullas Law School. J.. Las Pinas City University of Perpetual Help System. Iriga City. Baguio City University of the East. Cebu City University of Santo Tomas. Cebu City Urios College. Igualdad St. Cagayan de Oro City The above list from the Office of the Bar Confidant does not include newly organized law schools and/or law schools who do not yet have any graduate to qualify for the annual bar examination.. Ge. Lizares St.University of Mindanao. Aquino Avenue. San Roque.. Olongapo City Virgen Milagrosa University. La Salle Ave. Cebu City University of St. del Rosario St.
1891. Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution. The other voluntary bar associations are the Philippine Lawyers Association. 6397.
. 2002 (Bar Matter No. 1132) and amended by resolution Court En Banc dated April 1. There are now about 40. WILOCI. Presidential Decree 181 (1973) constituted the IBP into a corporate body. 112-2002) require all lawyers to indicate their Roll of Attorneys Number in all papers and pleadings filed in judicial and quasi-judicial bodies in additional to the previously required current Professional Tax Receipt (PTR) and IBP Official Receipt or Life Member Number. Women Lawyers Association of the Philippines (WLAP). 2003 (Bar Matter No. This confirmed the power of the Supreme Court to adopt rules for the integration of the Philippine Bar. These are the attorneys whose names are in the Rolls of Attorneys of the Supreme Court who have qualified for and have passed the bar examinations conducted annually. Other Bar Associations Philippine Bar Association is the oldest voluntary national organization of lawyers in the Philippines which traces its roots to the Colegio de Abogados de Filipinas organized on April 8.6.000 attorneys who composed the IBP. and LAWASIA. 1958. taken the attorney‘s oath.2 Bar Associations Integrated Bar of the Philippines The official organization for the legal profession is the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). Membership in the IBP is compulsory. It was formally incorporated as a direct successor of the Colegio de Abogados de Filipinas on March 27. All Asia Association. Society of International Law. PHILCONSA. established by virtue of Republic Act No. Trial Lawyers Association of the Philippines. The Supreme Court in its resolution Court En Banc dated November 12. unless otherwise disbarred. Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Philippines. FIDA. The Philippines is also a member of international law associations such as the ASEAN Law Association.
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