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.

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Welcome to the Supreme Court of the Philippines

Trial Court Locator

Welcome to The Supreme Court of the Philippines

Trial Court Locator

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

Unified Legal Aid Service

Evidence Survey

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:

[email protected]

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:

[email protected]

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

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Judiciary e-Payment Solution

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Gender Corner

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Transparency Seal

Court Locator

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Gender
Corner

Bids
and Awards

Bonding
Companies

Transparency
Seal

Court
Locator

Downloads

SC PIO on YouTube

Latest SC Video

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines

• SC denies Army, PNP Motion; Upholds its power to issue writs of amparo, habeas data outright

• SAJ Leonen: Government workers must prioritize addressing corruption

• Justice Singh reminds legal education stakeholders to ensure equal access to every development

• Application for 2026 Bar Exams opens on January 8, 2026

• 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Exams application extended until December 17, 2025

• SC opens application for accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility providers

• SC mourns passing of Ret. Justice Bernardo Pardo

December 12, 2025

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES

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

Ngayong panahon ng Kapaskuhan marami tayong mga kababayan ang nagsasakripisyo sa ibang bayan para mabigyan ang pamilya ng magandang kinabukasan.

Sila ang ating mga Overseas Filipino Worker o “Migrant Worker.”

Malayo man sila sa Pilipinas, alay nilang lakas ay patuloy na protektado ng ating batas.

Nariyan ang Republic Act 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995) na inamyendahan sa ilalim ng Republic Act 10022 series of 2010 para mapangalagaan ang kanilang mga benepisyo at karapatan.

Pwede rin basahin sa link na ito ang kaugnay na desisyon ng Korte Suprema kung paano ginamit ang salitang “Migrant Worker”:
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/67875

#SupremeCourtPH #SCphExplainers #ScphLegallySpeaking

#SCphLegallySpeaking "Migrant Worker"

Sa mga oras na natutulog na ang karamihan, may mga kababayan tayong sa gabi at madaling-araw ay patuloy na nakikipagsapalaran.

Kung lagpas alas diyes ng gabi ang iyong pagkayod, sabi ng batas, may dagdag 'yan sa iyong sahod.

Anumang industriya ang iyong kinabibilangan, dapat may "Night-shift Differential" kang aasahan.

Pwede rin basahin sa link na ito ang kaugnay na desisyon ng Korte Suprema kung paano ginamit ang salitang "Night-shift Differential":
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/68482

#SupremeCourtPH #ScphExplainers #ScphLegallySpeaking

#SCphLegallySpeaking "Night-shift Differential"

• SC: Bank account holder info disclosable in cybercrime cases; financial details of deposits remain private
• SC dismisses election overspending case due to six-year delay in COMELEC’s investigation
• SC reaffirms partnership with KOICA in advancing judicial efficiency, accessibility, and transparency through innovation
• Hon. Ma. Belen Ringpis-Liban takes oath as CTA Presiding Justice
• Office of the 2026 Bar Exams Chairperson releases FAQs on application process and requirements
• ULAS Board extends deadlines for availing early compliance incentive

Full text of G.R. No. 273720 (Eastwest Rural Bank v. PNP ACG): http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=157646
Full text of G.R. No. 263615 (Sarigumba v. COMELEC): https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=157688
2026 Bar Examinations FAQs: https://tinyurl.com/rxyeba8h
ULAS Advisory No. 3, s. 2025: https://tinyurl.com/3h7fz9vt

#SupremeCourtPH
#SCphUpdates

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, December 19, 2025

How does the law protect insured parties when insurers delay or deny payment? Does the recovery of a stolen vehicle prevent the insured owner from receiving full payment under an insurance policy?

Listen to the #SupremeCourtPH Podcast with guest Atty. Jose Maria G. Hofileña, Member of the Commercial Law Department of the Philippine Judicial Academy, and Dean of the School of Law of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Dean Hofileña discuss how the law protects insured parties against delayed or denied claims, and whether recovering a stolen vehicle affects full insurance payment within the context of Wilfrido C. Wijangco v. UCPB General Insurance Co. Inc., G.R. No. 257086, penned by Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, and decided by the Supreme Court Third Division on April 23, 2025.

EPISODE 99: When Insurance Claims are Denied

WATCH: #SupremeCourtPH and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) formalized their partnership through the signing of the Record of Discussions on December 16, 2025, at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall.

The agreement advances the project dubbed “Improving Judicial Efficiency and Accessibility by Innovating Philippine Courts,” underscoring the Judiciary’s continuing efforts to modernize court processes, strengthen institutional capacity, and broaden access to justice.

The ceremony was led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who delivered the welcome remarks and keynote message, and was attended by officials from the Republic of Korea headed by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Philippines, His Excellency Sang-hwa Lee, and representatives of KOICA.

Also present was Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, co-Chair of the Supreme Court Committee on Computerization and Library, who will oversee the implementation of the project.

The Record of Discussions was formally signed by Mr. Jung Youngsun, KOICA Country Director, and Atty. Marife Lomibao-Cuevas, Clerk of Court En Banc.

#SCphReels

Signing Ceremony of the Record of Discussions between Supreme Court of the Philippines and KOICA

Pinadala ka ba ni boss sa ibang lugar para dumalo sa isang workshop o seminar?

Binigyan ka ng out-of-town assignment para gampanan ang iba’t ibang office commitment?

Working while traveling, puwede ‘yan pagsabayin!

At kung kailangan mo ng money, ‘di ka dapat mag-worry dahil may matatanggap kang “Per Diem“ habang naka-duty.

Tandaan! Para sa bawat official na biyahe, mapa-airplane man ‘yan o kotse, make sure na meron kang “Per Diem” na pantustos sa iyong mga magiging gastos.

Pwede rin basahin sa link na ito ang kaugnay na desisyon ng Korte Suprema kung paano ginamit ang salitang “Per Diem“:
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/64059

#SupremeCourtPH #SCphExplainers #ScphLegallySpeaking

#SCphLegallySpeaking "Per Diem"

• SC denies Army, PNP Motion; Upholds its power to issue writs of amparo, habeas data outright
• SAJ Leonen: Government workers must prioritize addressing corruption
• Justice Singh reminds legal education stakeholders to ensure equal access to every development
• Application for 2026 Bar Exams opens on January 8, 2026
• 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Exams application extended until December 17, 2025
• SC opens application for accreditation of Electronic Notarization Facility providers
• SC mourns passing of Ret. Justice Bernardo Pardo

Full text of G.R. Nos. 269249 & 276602 (In the Matter of the Issuance of the Writs of Amparo and Habeas Data for Jonila F. Castro and Jhed Reiyana C. Tamano and their Families): https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=157248
Bar Bulletin No. 2: https://tinyurl.com/5aavujev
BARISTA User Guide: https://tinyurl.com/ysk5byeu
Shari’ah Bar Notice: https://tinyurl.com/4p48az46
Electronic Notarization Facility (ENF) Provider Accreditation Portal: https://portal.judiciary.gov.ph/Landing
Guidelines on the Accreditation of ENF Providers: https://tinyurl.com/bp6hkr5t

#SupremeCourtPH
#SCphUpdates

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, December 12, 2025

EPISODE 98: Lemon Law or Consumer Act, Which Law Protects You?

Kapag makatarungan ang sahod, ganado rin ang mga empleyado na maglingkod.

At kung stressful ang iyong araw-araw na trabaho, sana ay makatuwiran din ang nakukuha mong sahod at mga benepisyo.

Tandaan! Sahod na natatanggap kapalit ng ginugol mong oras at lakas, dapat ay laging naaayon sa batas.

Pwede rin basahin sa link na ito ang kaugnay na desisyon ng Korte Suprema kung paano ginamit ang salitang Sahod o Wage:
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/68525

#SupremeCourtPH #SCphExplainers #ScphLegallySpeaking

#SCphLegallySpeaking "Wage"

• SC orders return of 60B PhilHealth funds; permanently prohibits transfer of remaining funds
• SC sets new rule: Votes for nuisance candidates under automated elections considered ‘stray’
• SC approves OSG’s re-entry of appearance in Duterte’s ICC arrest case
• SC approves Rules on Filipino Sign Language Interpreting in the Judiciary
• 2025 Bar Exams results out on January 7, 2026
• Application for 2026 SSBE now open
• Chief Justice Gesmundo: Christmas is a season of hope
• Sabah Law Society pays courtesy visit to SC Justices
• SC joins World AIDS Day commemoration

Press Briefer, December 5, 2025: http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156834
Press Release on G.R. No. 266331 (Marcos Amutan v. Commission on Elections): https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=156725
Press Briefer, December 4, 2025: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/press-briefer-december-04-2025/
Manifestation in G.R. No. 278747: https://tinyurl.com/3ymxvt7w
A.M. No. 21-12-04-SC (Re: Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Filipino Sign Language Act): https://tinyurl.com/mwb9c742
Notice to the 2025 Bar Examinees: https://tinyurl.com/7j5cc6x9

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines, December 5, 2025

What are considered small claims cases, and what is the procedure in pursuing and settling them? How can understanding the process of setting small claims empower ordinary Filipinos to trust our courts by giving them access to efficient justice?

Listen to the #SupremeCourtPH Podcast with guest Judge Jackie B. Crisologo-Saguisag of Branch 67, Metropolitan Trial Court, Makati City. She is a Member of the Remedial Law Department of the Philippine Judicial Academy and a Member of the Supreme Court Technical Working Group for the Committee on the Revision of the Rules on Summary Procedure and Small Claims Cases.

Supreme Court Chief Communications Officer Atty. Mike Navallo and Judge Crisologo-Saguisag discuss the simplified and expedited process of resolving specific civil disputes under the 2016 Revised Rules of Procedure for Small Claims Cases as provided in Administrative Matter No. 08-8-7-SC.

EPISODE 97: Small Claims 101

Press Conference by SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting held on December 5, 2025

Other Links:

Gender Corner

Bids and Awards

Bonding Companies

Transparency Seal

Judiciary ePayment Solution

Downloads

SC PIO on YouTube

Latest SC Video

Here’s the latest from the Supreme Court of the Philippines

• SC designates several RTCs to handle anti-graft cases
• SC upholds law setting 4-year term for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials
• SC: No violation of vloggers’ right to free speech in Congressional hearings
• SC issues stern warning against fake statements attributed to CJ
• SC approves 2025 Code of Judicial Conduct and Accountability

November 14, 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:

[email protected] [email protected]
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644 | +63 968 013-0891

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:

[email protected] [email protected]
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644 | +63 968 013-0891

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:

[email protected] [email protected]
chiefjusticehelpdesk@
judiciary.gov.ph

Or call us at:

+63 2 8552-9644 | +63 968 013-0891

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.

Privacy Statement
Credit Attribution Policy

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.