18 Questions
How many Associate Justices are there in the Supreme Court?
14
What is the name of the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
Cayetano Arellano
What is the power of the Supreme Court in relation to lower courts?
the power to discipline judges
What is the jurisdiction of the Regional Trial Courts (RTC) in terms of imprisonment?
more than six (6) years
What is the appellate jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals?
cases decided by the RTC
What is the difference between a Municipal Trial Court and a Municipal Circuit Trial Court?
the number of municipalities covered
Which court has exclusive original jurisdiction over crimes arising from violations of the National Internal Revenue Code?
Court of Tax Appeals
What is the maximum imprisonment for offenses under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Trial Courts?
Six (6) years
How many divisions can the Court of Tax Appeals sit in?
Two (2)
Which court was created pursuant to Presidential Decree 1606?
Sandiganbayan
How many Associate Justices are there in the Court of Tax Appeals?
Five (5)
What is the maximum fine that can be imposed by the Municipal Trial Courts?
Php 4,000.00
What is the primary role of the court clerk in the court?
Maintaining the court's records and preparing daily calendars
What is the term for the power of the court to interpret the Constitution and declare any legislative or executive actions unconstitutional?
Judicial Review
What is the purpose of the gavel in the courtroom?
To draw people's attention or mark the conclusion of a transaction
Who is responsible for calling cases before the judge in the courtroom?
Court Clerk
What is the term for the long, loose garment worn by judges on ceremonial occasions or trials?
Robe
What is the role of the bailiff in the courtroom?
To maintain order in the court and supervise prisoners
Study Notes
Metropolitan Trial Courts
- Also known as Municipal Trial Courts in cities and towns within the Metropolitan Manila area
- Have jurisdiction over all violations of city or municipal ordinances
- Handle offenses punishable with imprisonment of not exceeding six years
- Handle offenses involving damage to property through criminal negligence
- Handle cases with a fine of not more than Php 4,000.00
Court of Tax Appeals (CTA)
- Has exclusive original jurisdiction over all criminal cases arising from violations of the National Internal Revenue Code or Tariff and Customs Code
- Created under RA 1125
- Composed of a Presiding Justice and five Associate Justices
- May sit en banc or in two divisions
Sandiganbayan
- Tasked to handle criminal cases involving graft and corruption and other offenses committed by high-ranking public officers and employees
- Created pursuant to PD 1606
- Composed of a Presiding Justice and 14 Associate Justices
Family Courts
- Created pursuant to RA 8369
- Special courts that handle family-related cases
Special Courts
- Court of Tax Appeals
- Sandiganbayan
- Shari'a District Courts
- Family Courts
Supreme Court
- The highest court in the Philippines
- Shall have appellate jurisdiction over cases decided by the Court of Appeals
- Composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices
- Has the power of judicial review
- Has the power to discipline judges of the lower courts
- First Chief Justice: Cayetano Arellano
Court of Appeals
- Composed of a Presiding Justice and 68 Associate Justices
- Shall sit in 23 divisions of 3 justices each
- Has appellate jurisdiction over cases decided by the RTC
Regional Trial Courts (RTC)
- Presided by 720 Regional Trial Judges in each of the 13 regions of the country
- Has jurisdiction over offenses punishable with imprisonment of more than six years
- Has jurisdiction over cases with a fine exceeding Php 4,000.00
- Has appellate jurisdiction over cases decided by the MTCs, MTC, and MCTC
- Handles violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002
- Handles violations of RA 9262
- Handles violations of the Omnibus Election Code
Municipal Trial Courts (MTC)
- Referred to as MTC if it covers only one municipality
- Referred to as Municipal Circuit Trial Court if it covers two or more municipalities
Court Room Work Group
- Judge: pronounces judgments and sentences
- Court Clerks: maintain court records, prepare daily calendars, call cases before the judge, control evidence in court, and collect fines and court costs
- Court Stenographer: reports and records everything said in court
- Court Interpreter: carries out oral translation from one language to another
- Bailiffs: maintain order in the court, announce judge entry into the courtroom, call witnesses, control defendants, and supervise juries
Powers of the Court
- Power of Judicial Review: the duty of the court to settle actual controversies, interpret the Constitution, and declare any legislative or executive act as unconstitutional
Test your knowledge of the Philippine judiciary system, including the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and special courts.
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