Welcome to The Supreme Court of the Philippines

Welcome to the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Trial Court Locator

Welcome to the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Trial Court Locator

Welcome to The
Supreme Court of the Philippines

Trial Court Locator

Phone

JPAS Hotline:
+63 2 8552-9644

Contact Email

JPAS Email:
chiefjusticehelpdesk@judiciary.gov.ph

Working Hours

Monday to Friday:
08:00 - 16:30

The Supreme Court
of the Philippines

Has the exclusive power to promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of law, the integrated bar and legal assistance to the underprivileged.

Strategic Plan for
Judicial Innovations
2022-2027

Official Bar-related news and updates

Court Decisions
and Issuances

Decisions, Resolutions, and Issuances by the Supreme Court
in the last 12 months

Contact Details of Trial Courts and Offices

Judiciary E-Payment Solution (JEPS)

For concerns on JEPS Please Email:

jeps.support@judiciary.gov.ph

Know More

Frequently Asked Questions

The Supreme Court
of the Philippines

Has the exclusive power to promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission of the law, the integrated bar and legal assistance to the underprivileged.

Strategic Plan for
Judicial Innovations
2022-2027

Official Bar-related news and updates

Court Decisions
and Issuances

Decisions, Resolutions, and Issuances by the Supreme Court
in the last 12 months

Contact Details of Trial Courts and Offices

Judiciary E-Payment Solution (JEPS)

For concerns on JEPS Please Email:

jeps.support@judiciary.gov.ph

Know More

Frequently Asked Questions

What are you looking for?

What are you looking for?

What are you looking for?

Gender Corner

Bids and Awards

Bonding Companies

Transparency Seal

Judiciary e-Payment Solution

Downloads

Gender Corner

Bids and Awards

Bonding Companies

Transparency Seal

Court Locator

Downloads

Gender
Corner

Bids
and Awards

Bonding
Companies

Transparency
Seal

Court
Locator

Downloads

SC PIO on YouTube

Latest SC Video

Oath Taking and Roll Signing Ceremonies for the 2024 Bar Examinations

The Supreme Court of the Philippines, through Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, 2024 Bar Chair, welcomes 3,962 new lawyers to the Philippine Bar.

January 24, 2025

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES

The official account of the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Audio Livestream of Supreme Court Oral Arguments on:
G.R. No. 274778 (Pimentel et al. v. House of Representatives, et al.)
G.R. No. 275405 (Colmenares, et al. v. Executive Secretary Bersamin, et al.)
G.R. No. 276233 (1SAMBAYAN Coalition, et al. v. House of Representatives et al.)

#PHILHEALTHOralArgs

ORAL ARGUMENTS ON PIMENTEL, ET AL. V. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ET AL.

Reaffirming its commitment to further enhance judicial services in Mindanao, the #SupremeCourtPH led the inauguration of the new Hall of Justice of the Dapa, Surigao del Norte courts on March 29, 2025.

#SCphReels

Inauguration of the new Hall of Justice in Dapa, Surigao del Norte

• SC upholds mandatory SSS coverage for OFWs but strikes down payment requirement for OEC
• SC upholds graft conviction of former Pagsanjan Mayor ER Ejercito
• SC upholds life sentences of Australian, Filipina human traffickers
• New Judges Take Oath before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo
• Office of 2025 Bar Chairperson Justice Lazaro-Javier issues Notice on preferred exam venue re-selection process
• SC, CRIBS Foundation hold exhibit and dialogue for children in need of special protection

#SupremeCourtPH
#SCphThisWeek

Link to G.R. No. 248680, Migrante International v. SSS: https://tinyurl.com/47xsk7hn

Link to G.R. No. 248699, People v. Estregan: https://tinyurl.com/3scwhd5b

Link to G.R. No. 270174, People v. Scully: https://tinyurl.com/4zjswp5n

Listen to a recap of Supreme Court updates for the week of March 24 to 28, 2025

What is Gender-Fair Language in the Judiciary and Gender-Fair Courtroom Etiquette? Why should Members of the Bench and the Bar be mindful of using such language?

Listen to the latest episode of the Supreme Court Podcast. Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Atty. Blessilda Abad-Gamo, Member of the Philippine Judicial Academy’s Department of Legal Writing, Research, and Methodology, discuss the importance of using of Gender-Fair Language in court proceedings as reiterated by the Supreme Court in the case of Aiko Yokogawa-Tan v. Jonnell Tan and the Republic of the Philippines, G.R. No. 254646, decided by the Second Division of the Supreme Court on October 23, 2023, through Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen.

EPISODE 63: Gender-Fair Language

• SC to Executive Secretary, other respondents: Comment on Duterte, Dela Rosa petition
• SC directs Duterte siblings to file traverse to DOJ’s consolidated compliance in habeas corpus petitions
• SC reschedules oral arguments in PhilHealth, 2025 GAA, and Maharlika Fund cases
• SC orders Dakak Beach Resort and Romeo Jalosjos to vacate leased land
• SC: Lawyers not liable for misuse of notarial seal without their consent
• SC: Teacher liable for damages for death caused by student
• Japanese Ambassador pays courtesy visit on Supreme Court Justices
• SC holds consultation on proposed Rules on Filipino Sign Language Interpreting in the Judiciary
• SC kicks off pilot implementation of Performance Development Framework for the High Performance Courts

Listen to a recap of Supreme Court updates for the week of March 17 to 21, 2025

What are the salient provisions of A.M. No. 24-02-06-SC or The Rule on Family Mediation? How will this Rule benefit families and the courts?

Listen to the latest episode of the Supreme Court Podcast. Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Court of Appeals Associate Justice Angelene Mary W. Quimpo-Sale, Member of the Supreme Court Committee on Family Courts and Juvenile Concerns and Chairperson of the said Committee’s Sub-Technical Working Group on Rule on Family Mediation, discuss The Rule on Family Mediation which was approved by the SC En Banc on November 5, 2024.

This episode of the Supreme Court Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the SC website.

EPISODE 62: The Rule on Family Mediation

Press Conference by SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting held on March 18, 2025

• SC: No immediate TRO in Duterte, Dela Rosa certiorari petition
• SC to respondents: Show cause why habeas corpus writ shouldn’t be issued in 3 Duterte cases
• SC approves Rules on Electronic Notarization
• SC grants the privilege of the writ of amparo in missing detainee case
• SC dismisses sheriff for neglect of duty
• SC imposes community service over jail time
• SC appoints first Chief Judiciary Marshal
• SC holds eCourtPH 2.0 info campaign in Iloilo and Bacolod
• SAJ Leonen and Justice Lazaro-Javier visit Bacolod HOJ
• Justices Zalameda and Marquez lead new Bacoor HOJ inauguration, eCourtPH 2.0 dialogue in Region IV-A
• 2025 Bar Examinations application period ends on March 17

Listen to a recap of Supreme Court updates for the week of March 10 to 14, 2025

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo shares his insights and updates on the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), along with his vision for the Judiciary and plans for the remainder of his tenure.

Listen to the latest episode of the Supreme Court Podcast. This special episode features the interview of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo by Supreme Court Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting on SPJI. The said interview was presented at the recently concluded Philippine Women Judges Association’s 2025 Annual Convention, held at the Manila Hotel on March 5 to 7, 2025.

This episode of the Supreme Court Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the SC website.

EPISODE 61: In Focus: Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations

• SC resumes oral arguments regarding transfer of excess PhilHealth funds to the national treasury
• SC to COMELEC: Accept COC of Zambales gubernatorial candidate Balintay
• SC nullifies COMELEC reso denying substitution of Bataan vice mayor candidate
• SC: Prior possession, not ownership, matters in forcible entry cases
• SC: Youth and immaturity strengthen victim’s credibility in molestation case
• SC: Land buyers must check both title and Registry of Deeds records
• SC grants the privilege of the writ of amparo to the family of a man still missing after being supposedly released from police custody / SC: Failure to conduct fair, effective investigation on enforced disappearance threatens right to life, liberty, and security (to be finalized once PR is released)
• Phil. Women Judges Association holds annual convention
• SC kicks off celebration of Women’s Month
• Chief Justice Gesmundo honors retiring CA Justice Fajardo

#SupremeCourtPH
#SCphThisWeek

Listen to a recap of Supreme Court updates for the week of March 3 to 7, 2025

When is the use of force by a police officer against a person under arrest deemed reasonable or excessive, potentially resulting in penalties for the arresting officer?

Listen to the latest episode of the Supreme Court Podcast. In the conclusion of this two-part episode on drugs cases, Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Court of Appeals Justice Raymond Reynold R. Lauigan, Member of the Philippine Judicial Academy’s Department of Criminal Law, discuss how the use of excessive force by an arresting officer during a buy-bust operation led to his suspension within the context of the case of Herminio A. Besmonte v. National Police Commission-National Capital Region, G.R. No. 260148, decided by the Supreme Court on April 3, 2024 through Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan.

This episode of the Supreme Court Podcast is also available on Spotify and on the SC website.

EPISODE 60: Reasonable vs. Excessive Use of Force

Audio Livestream of Supreme Court Oral Arguments on:
G.R. No. 274778 (Pimentel et al. v. House of Representatives, et al.)
G.R. No. 275405 (Colmenares, et al. v. Executive Secretary Bersamin, et al.)
G.R. No. 276233 (1SAMBAYAN Coalition, et al. v. House of Representatives et al.)

#PHILHEALTHOralArgs

ORAL ARGUMENTS ON PIMENTEL, ET AL. V. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ET AL.

Other Links:

Gender Corner

Bids and Awards

Bonding Companies

Transparency Seal

Judiciary ePayment Solution

Downloads

SC PIO on YouTube

Latest SC Video

Oath Taking and Roll Signing Ceremonies for the 2024 Bar Examinations

The Supreme Court of the Philippines, through Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, 2024 Bar Chair, welcomes 3,962 new lawyers to the Philippine Bar.

January 24, 2025

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Supreme Court of the Philippines

Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila
Philippines 1000

Follow us on Twitter @SCPh_PIO.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

Contact Info

For queries and comments,
please email us at:

pio.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644 | +63 908 850-0919

Downloads

Other Links

Supreme Court of the Philippines

Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila
Philippines 1000

Follow us on Twitter @SCPh_PIO.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

Contact Info

For queries and comments,
please email us at:

pio.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644 | +63 908 850-0919

Downloads

Useful Links

Supreme Court of the Philippines

Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila
Philippines 1000

Follow us on Twitter @SCPh_PIO.
Thank you for your continued support and feedback.

Contact Info

For queries and comments,
please email us at:

pio.sc@judiciary.gov.ph
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644
+63 908 850-0919

Downloads

Useful Links

© 2025 The Supreme Court of the Philippines. All rights reserved.

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© 2025 The Supreme Court of the Philippines.
All rights reserved.

Privacy Statement | Credit Attribution Policy

© 2025 The Supreme Court of the Philippines. All rights reserved.

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Gia Ibay

With over twenty years of experience working on climate change, energy, and environmental issues, Atty Ibay presently heads the Climate Change and Energy Programme of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and concurrently serves as Earth Hour Philippines’ National Director, working for the organization for the past fourteen years on renewable energy and the clean energy transition, sustainable cities, and climate resilience. For five years, she chaired the National Renewable Energy Board’s subcommittee on Public Relations and IEC. Last March 2022, she was elected to the Board of Directors of the Climate Action Network (CAN) International, the world’s largest climate network made up of over 1,900 civil society organizations in over 130 countries, driving collective and sustainable action to fight the climate crisis and to achieve social justice. She is currently serving her 2nd term on the CAN International Board and was elected Co-Chair of the Board last February 2024.

Her expertise includes environmental law and policy, climate change, climate finance, pollution, hazardous waste, renewable energy legislation and policy. The first Climate Change Attaché of the British Embassy Manila, she also worked at the Manila Observatory, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environmental Management Bureau, and served as legal counsel for the Pollution Adjudication Board and Mines Adjudication Board. She has peer-reviewed co-written papers on environmental issues. She has been a Philippine delegation member to the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP), having attended COP3, COP9, COP16, COP21 AND COP22. Since COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, COP28 in Dubai, UAE and COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Atty. Ibay served as a Technical Adviser to the Philippine delegation on climate finance, mitigation, loss and damage, and just transition.

Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law, Atty. Ibay has received training from the Beahrs Environmental Leadership Program, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.A., and the Renewables Academy (RENAC), Berlin, Germany.

The Supreme Court Under
the 1987 Constitution

As in the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions, the 1987 Constitution provides that “[t]he judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.” (Art. VII, Sec. 1). The exercise of judicial power is shared by the Supreme Court with all lower courts, but it is only the Supreme Court’s decisions that are vested with precedential value or doctrinal authority, as its interpretations of the Constitution and the laws are final and beyond review by any other branch of government.

Unlike the 1935 and 1973 Constitutions, however, the 1987 Constitution defines the concept of judicial power. Under paragraph 2 of Section 1, Article VIII, “judicial power” includes not only the “duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable” but also “to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the government.” This latter provision dilutes the effectivity of the “political question” doctrine which places specific questions best submitted to the political wisdom of the people beyond the review of the courts.

Building on previous experiences under former Constitutions, the 1987 Constitution provides for specific safeguards to ensure the independence of the Judiciary. These are found in the following provisions:

- The grant to the Judiciary of fiscal autonomy. “Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous year, and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.” (Art. VIII, Sec. 3).
- The grant to the Chief Justice of authority to augment any item in the general appropriation law for the Judiciary from savings in other items of said appropriation as authorized by law. (Art. VI, Sec. 25[5])
- The removal from Congress of the power to deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5 of Article VIII.
- The grant to the Court of the power to appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil Service Law (Art. VIII, Sec. 5 [6])
- The removal from the Commission of Appointments of the power to confirm appointments of justices and judges (Art. VIII, Sec. 8)
- The removal from Congress of the power to reduce the compensation or salaries of the Justices and judges during their continuance in office. (Art. VIII, Sec. 10)
- The prohibition against the removal of judges through legislative reorganization by providing that “(n)o law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its members. (Art. VIII, Sec. 2)
- The grant of sole authority to the Supreme Court to order the temporary detail of judges. (Art. VIII, Sec. 5[3])
- The grant of sole authority to the Supreme Court to promulgate rules of procedure for the courts. (Art. VIII, Sec. 5[5])
- The prohibition against designating members of the Judiciary to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative function. (Art. VIII, Sec. 12)
- The grant of administrative supervision over the lower courts and its personnel in the Supreme Court. (Art. VIII, Sec. 6)

The Supreme Court under the present Constitution is composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices. The members of the Court are appointed by the President from a list, prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, of at least three nominees for every vacancy. This new process is intended to “de-politicize” the courts of justice, ensure the choice of competent judges, and fill existing vacancies without undue delay.

The Supreme Court Under
the Revolutionary Government

Shortly after assuming office as the seventh President of the Republic of the Philippines after the successful People Power Revolution, then President Corazon C. Aquino declared the existence of a revolutionary government under Proclamation No. 1 dated February 25, 1986. Among the more significant portions of this Proclamation was an instruction for “all appointive officials to submit their courtesy resignations beginning with the members of the Supreme Court.” The call was unprecedented, considering the separation of powers that the previous Constitutions had always ordained, but understandable considering the revolutionary nature of the post-People Power government. Heeding the call, the members of the Judiciary—from the Supreme Court to the Municipal Circuit Courts—placed their offices at the disposal of the President and submitted their resignations. President Corazon C, Aquino proceeded to reorganize the entire Court, appointing all 15 members.

On March 25, 1986, President Corazon Aquino, through Proclamation No. 3, also abolished the 1973 Constitution and put in place a Provisional “Freedom” Constitution. Under Article I, Section 2 of the Freedom Constitution, the provisions of the 1973 Constitution on the judiciary were adopted insofar as they were not inconsistent with Proclamation No. 3.

Article V of Proclamation No. 3 provided for the convening of a Constitutional Commission composed of 50 appointive members to draft a new constitution; this would be implemented by Proclamation No. 9. Under the leadership of retired SC Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma as its President, the Constitutional Commission of 1986 submitted its output of to the people for ratification.

By a vote of 76.30%, the Filipino people then ratified the Constitution submitted to them in a national plebiscite on February 2, 1987.

President Aquino, other civilian officials, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, upon the announcement of the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, swore allegiance to the new charter on February 11, 1987 thereby putting an end to the revolutionary government.

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