BRIEF BACKGROUND The Constitution The Constitution of the Philippines ordains that judicial power shall be vested in one

Supreme Court and such lower courts as may be established by law. [Sectio n 1, Art. VIII, 1987 Constitution). The Law Under Philippine laws [Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (Batas Pambansa Bila ng 129) which took effect on January 18, 1983 and other laws] the Philippine jud icial system consists of the following courts: Lower Courts I. Municipal Trial Courts and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts Every municipality in the Philippines has its own Municipal Trial Court. It is referred to as such if it covers only one municipality; otherwise, it is called Municipal Circuit Trial Court if it covers two or more municipalities. II. Metropolitan Trial Courts and Municipal Trial Courts in Cities Municipal Trial Courts in the towns and cities in the Metropolitan Manila area, as distinguished from the other political subdivisions in the Philippines, are r eferred to as Metropolitan Trial Courts. In cities outside Metropolitan Manila, the equivalent of the Municipal Trial Cou rts are referred to as Municipal Trial Courts in Cities. III. Regional Trial Courts Regional Trial Courts were established among the thirteen regions in the Philipp ines consisting of Regions I to XII and the National Capital Region (NCR). There are as many Regional Trial Courts in each region as the law mandates. IV. Shari'a Courts Equivalent to the Regional Trial Courts in rank are the Shari'a District Courts which were established in certain specified provinces in Mindanao where the Musl im Code on Personal Laws is being enforced. Equivalent to the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts are the Shari'a Circuit Courts which were established in certain municipalities in Mindanao. There are five Shari'a District Courts and fifty one Shari'a Circuit Courts in e xistence. V. Court of Tax Appeals A special court, the Court of Tax Appeals, composed of a Presiding Judge and two Associate Judges, is vested with the exclusive appellate jurisdiction over appe als from the decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the Commissio ner of Customs on certain specific issues. VI. Sandiganbayan A special court, the Sandiganbayan, composed of a Presiding Justice and eight As sociate Justices, has exclusive jurisdiction over violations of the Anti-Graft a nd Corrupt Practices Act [Republic Act No. 3019], the Unexplained Wealth Act [Re

public Act No. 1379] and other crimes or felonies committed by public officials and employees in relation to their office, including those employees in governme nt-owned or controlled corporations. VII. Court of Appeals The Court of Appeals, composed of one Presiding Justice and sixty eight Associat e Justices is vested with jurisdiction over appeals from the decisions of the R egional Trial Courts and certain quasi-judicial agencies, boards or commissions. The Highest Court - Supreme Court The Supreme Court is the highest Court in the Philippines. There is only one Su preme Court composed of one Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It is the final arbiter of any and all judicial issues. When so deciding, it may sit en banc or in divisions of three, five or seven members.