Judicial Branch and Article VIII, Section 8

Study Notes

Known as Second Level Courts, established in 13 Judicial regions in the Philippines (Regions I to XII and NCR)
Responsible for handling cases involving violations of Islamic law (Sharia) within the BARMM
Shari'a District Courts are equivalent to Regional Trial Courts in rank, established in certain provinces in Mindanao

Shari'a Circuit Courts are the counterpart of Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, established in certain municipalities in Mindanao
Handle cases related to violations of laws under the Bangsamoro Basic Law within the BARMM

Has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices by public officers and employees
Citizens can file administrative cases against government officials/employees through the Ombudsman

Composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices
Members are appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council
Requirements for appointment: proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence; natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, with at least 15 years of experience as a judge or law practice
Members hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of 70 or become incapacitated
Salary of the Chief Justice and Associate Justices is fixed by law

Interprets the meaning of laws, applies laws to individual cases, and decides if laws violate the Constitution
Appointments to the judiciary are made by the President based on a list submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council

Composed of the Chief Justice as ex-officio chairman, Secretary of Justice, and other members
Recommends appointees to the Judiciary

A court with limited jurisdiction has authority to hear and decide only certain types of cases or cases within a specific geographic area or subject matter
Appellate jurisdiction refers to the authority of a higher court to review and reconsider decisions made by lower courts

All cases or matters filed after the effectiveness of the Constitution must be decided or resolved within 24 months from date of submission for the Supreme Court
12 months for all lower collegiate courts, and 3 months for all other lower courts