Dispenser of Justice

& Vanguard of
Individual Rights
FUNCTIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT
Some of the Functions of
the Supreme Court under
the 1987 Constitutions
are as follows:
1. The Supreme Court primarily handles the cases of ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls.
2. Review, affirm, reverse, or amend the decision of lower courts on certain cases
that may concern the constitutionality or validity of international agreement
and presidential decrees, questionable decisions or processes of the lower
courts, cases which are punishable by lifetime imprisonment, error or
question of law, among others.
3. Appointment of Judges, officials and employees of the Judiciary.
4. Create and disseminate rules and procedures concerning the processes in
legal courts as well as the membership of to the Bar.
 Supreme Court
Composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen
(14) Associate Justices
appointed by the president from a list of
qualifiers from the screening process done
by the Judicial and bar Council.
 Court of Appeals
The second highest tribunal or legal court
in the country, is
composed of a Presiding Justice and sixty-
nine Associate Justices who are appointed
by the president.
Court of Tax Appeals
Focuses on reviewing and resolving appeals of decisions
from
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Commissioner of
Customs, Department of
Finance, Department of Trade and Industry and other legal
courts concerning cases
related to tax, tariffs and other monetary obligations to the
government.
The Sandiganbayan has
jurisdiction over the following:
In addition, the Sandiganbayan
exercises exclusive appellate
jurisdiction over final
judgments, resolutions or orders or
regional trial courts whether in the
exercise of
their own original jurisdiction or of
their appellate jurisdiction as herein
provided.
The Sandiganbayan comprises of one presiding justice
and 14 associate justices, all
of which are appointed by the President from a shortlist
submitted by the Judicial
and Bar Council.
The qualifications to become a
member of the Sandiganbayan are as
follows:
1. a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. at least 40 years of age
3. has been a judge of a court for at least ten years,
or been engaged in the
practice of law in the Philippines or has held office
requiring admission to the
bar as a prerequisite for at least ten years.