Law Summary
Scope of the Reorganization
- Covers the Court of Appeals, Courts of First Instance, Circuit Criminal Courts, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts, Courts of Agrarian Relations, City Courts, Municipal Courts, and Municipal Circuit Courts.
Intermediate Appellate Court: Organization and Composition
- Created with a Presiding Appellate Justice and forty-nine Associate Appellate Justices.
- Appointments by the President of the Philippines.
- Precedence among Associate Justices based on appointment dates.
- Continuous and uninterrupted service recognized upon reappointment.
Powers and Functions of the Intermediate Appellate Court
- Exercises powers through ten divisions, each with five members.
- En banc sessions limited to administrative and non-adjudicatory functions.
Succession and Presiding Authority
- First in precedence Associate Justice acts as Presiding Appellate Justice in vacancy or absence.
- Presiding Appellate Justice presides over divisions; absent, Associate Justice with precedence presides.
Qualifications for Justices
- Same qualifications required as for Supreme Court Justices.
Grouping and Assignment of Divisions
- Ten divisions divided into:
- Four Civil Cases Divisions (civil appeals from Regional Trial Courts).
- Two Criminal Cases Divisions (criminal appeals from Regional Trial Courts).
- Four Special Cases Divisions (original actions, petitions, appeals from administrative agencies except as in Section 9).
- Members appointed specifically to a division class; transfers allowed with limitations.
- No seniority among divisions.
Jurisdiction of Intermediate Appellate Court
- Original jurisdiction: writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, quo warranto, and auxiliary writs.
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over annulment of Regional Trial Courts' judgments.
- Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final decisions/orders of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial bodies, excluding certain Labor Code and assessment cases.
- Power to try cases, receive evidence, and conduct new trials or proceedings.
Sessions and Quorum
- Permanent station in Manila.
- Supreme Court can authorize sessions outside Manila for public interest.
- Quorum: majority for en banc; three members for division.
- Majority vote required for resolutions.
- Decisions require three affirmative votes in a division.
- Motion for reconsideration limited to one, with specified resolution periods.
Internal Rules
- Court en banc can promulgate operational rules subject to Supreme Court approval.
Creation of Regional Trial Courts (RTC)
- Thirteen RTCs matching Philippine Judicial Regions established.
- Explicit listing of provinces and cities under each judicial region.
- Adjustments align with administrative reorganization.
Composition and Branches of RTCs
- Number of branches and their locations detailed per judicial region and province/city.
Qualifications for RTC Judges
- Natural-born Filipino, at least 35 years old.
- Ten years of law practice or public office requiring law admission.
Sessions of RTCs
- Schedule determined by Supreme Court.
- Motions typically heard Friday afternoons except holidays.
Appointment and Assignment of RTC Judges
- Permanent regional assignment with stated branch and seat.
- Temporary assignments permissible up to six months without judge consent.
- Intra-region transfers allowed without changing permanent station.
Territorial Jurisdiction of RTC Branches
- Defined by Supreme Court for venue and appellate jurisdiction matters.
- Focus on accessibility and cost efficiency for litigants and witnesses.
RTC Jurisdiction in Civil Cases
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over:
- Civil actions with subjects not capable of pecuniary estimation.
- Real property title or possession (except forcible entry and unlawful detainer).
- Admiralty cases exceeding P20,000.
- Probate cases with estate value over P20,000.
- Marriage and marital relations cases.
- Other civil actions not under exclusive jurisdiction of other courts.
RTC Jurisdiction in Criminal Cases
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over criminal cases not exclusively assigned to other courts.
- Sandiganbayan jurisdiction retained for specific cases.
Original and Appellate Jurisdiction of RTCs
- Original jurisdiction over writs such as certiorari, mandamus, etc., enforceable region-wide.
- Appellate jurisdiction over cases from lower trial courts within territorial jurisdiction.
- Appeals to Intermediate Appellate Court require showing of error.
Special Designations
- Supreme Court may assign RTC branches for exclusive handling of special case types.
Application of Special Rules of Procedure
- Existing special procedural rules for juvenile, domestic relations, and agrarian cases continue unless changed.
Establishment of Lower Courts
- Metropolitan Trial Courts (MTC), Municipal Trial Courts (MTC), and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTC) established respectively in metropolitan areas, cities, municipalities, and circuits.
Qualifications for judges of Lower Courts
- Natural-born citizen, at least 30 years old.
- Five years of law practice or public office requiring law admission.
Division and Branching of Lower Courts
- Detailed branches for Metropolitan Trial Courts, including Metro Manila and other metro areas.
- Branches for Municipal and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts detailed by city and municipality.
Jurisdiction of Lower Courts in Criminal Cases
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over violations of local ordinances and offenses punishable by imprisonment not exceeding four years and two months or fine not exceeding four thousand pesos.
- Certain offence exceptions based on fines involving damage to property.
Jurisdiction in Civil Cases for Lower Courts
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over civil actions where amount or estate does not exceed P20,000.
- Forcible entry and unlawful detainer cases included, with specific rules on ownership issues.
Delegated Jurisdiction in Land Case
- Lower courts may be assigned cadastral or land registration cases without controversy or value not exceeding P20,000.
- Appeals from such cases follow RTC appellate procedures.
Special Jurisdiction and Summary Procedures
- Authority for some branches to exclusively handle certain cases (forcible entry, traffic violations, rental law) using simplified procedures.
Preliminary Investigation Power
- Lower court judges (except Metro Manila MTC) authorized to conduct preliminary investigations for cases cognizable by RTC.
- Probable cause required for arrest warrant issuance.
- Warrants issued may be served nationwide.
Judgments and Processes in Lower Courts
- Judgments must be written, clear on facts and law, signed, and filed.
- Appeal procedure to RTC follows established rules.
- Court processes may be served anywhere in the Philippines without RTC certification.
Appeal Periods and Procedures
- General appeal period is 15 days from notice of order or judgment.
- Habeas corpus appeals must be filed within 48 hours.
- Appeals are transmitted using entire original records; no separate record on appeal required.
- Exceptions exist for multiple appeals and special proceedings.
Form of Decision on Appeal
- Decisions must state facts and legal conclusions clearly, either in full or by reference.
Compensation and Benefits of Judges
- Salaries and allowances determined by the President per existing guidelines.
- Monthly longevity pay of 5% of basic pay granted for every five years of service.
- Salary caps ensure no lower-ranking judge earns more than the next higher rank.
Staffing and Implementation
- Supreme Court to submit staffing pattern within 30 days of Act effectivity.
- Implementation via Executive Order by the President.
Transitional Provisions
- Existing courts continue until reorganization completion declared by the President.
- Upon reorganization effect, old courts abolished and incumbents cease office.
- Pending cases and resources transferred to new courts.
- Appropriations transferred and augmented as necessary.
Inclusion of Shari'a Courts
- Funding included for Shari'a Courts per Muslim Personal Laws.
Gratuity for Separated Judges and Personnel
- Gratuity equal to one month's salary per year of service granted to those separated due to reorganization.
- Option to retire under applicable retirement laws if qualified.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent laws and orders, including Judiciary Act of 1948 and related statutes.
Effectivity
- Act takes effect immediately upon approval.