Judicial and Congressional Powers Quiz

Study Notes

Vested in the Supreme Court and lower courts established by law
Courts are responsible for settling controversies involving legally demandable and enforceable rights
Courts determine if there has been grave abuse of discretion by any branch or instrumentality of the government

Congress defines, prescribes, and apportions the jurisdiction of courts
Congress cannot deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5
No law can reorganize the Judiciary that undermines the security of tenure of its members

Judiciary enjoys fiscal autonomy, meaning appropriations for the Judiciary cannot be reduced by the legislature below the previous year's amount.
Approved appropriations are automatically and regularly released.

Has original jurisdiction over:
- Cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls
- Cases where a state is a party
Has appellate jurisdiction over all cases decided by lower courts, except cases involving impeachment
Reviews decisions of lower courts
Reviews decisions of the constitutional commissions
Has the power to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo warranto
Has power to discipline judges of lower courts or order their dismissal

Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and their personnel

Supreme Court and lower court judges are appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees preferred by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy.
Appointments do not need confirmation, but the President must issue the appointment for lower courts within ninety days from the submission of the list.

Supreme Court and lower court judges hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of 70 or become incapacitated.
The Supreme Court en banc can discipline or dismiss judges of lower courts by a majority vote.

Members of the Supreme Court and other courts cannot be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative functions.

Supreme Court decisions are reached in consultation before the case is assigned for writing an opinion.
A certification signed by the Chief Justice is issued and attached to the case record.
Members must state their reason for not participating in, dissenting from, or abstaining from a decision or resolution.
The same requirements apply to collegiate courts.

All court decisions must clearly state the facts and legal basis for the decision.
No petition for review or motion for reconsideration can be denied without stating the legal basis for the denial.

Supreme Court submits an annual report to the President and Congress, within 30 days of the opening of each regular session, detailing the operations and activities of the Judiciary.