Judicial department: Following the doctrine of separation of powers judicial power has been vested in one

supper court and in such lowers courts as may be established by law.

COVERED:
Judicial power/ political question doctrine
Req. for the proper exercise of judicial review
Highlighted the rule making power of the S.C
SECTION 1(1) ARTICLE 8:
Judicial power has been vested in one supper court and in such lowers courts as may be established by law.
There is only 1 S.C and the S.C is the only constitutional courts it is the only court created by the constitution
itself there is no other constitutional court.
SB: Not a constitutional court. It is created by a special law. It is refered to as a constitutionally mandate
court not a constitutional court.
There is only 1 constitutional court and that is the S.C.
Judicial power shall be vested no in the S.C alone because the provision says, in such lowers courts as may
be established by law.
LOWER COURTS ESTABLISHED BY LAW:
B.P1 129 ( Judiciary reorganization act of 1980)
Courts created pursuant to B.P 129:
1. C.A lower collegiate court below the S.C
2. RTC below the C.A.
RTC courts of general jurisdiction
That is why in remedial law if the case is incapable of pecuniary estimation it is to fall under the J. of RTC.
Since RTC are courts of gen J.
Also if jurisdiction over a particular case or dispute is not vested by law to any courts or tribunal it is
understood to fall under the jurisdiction of the RTC. Since RTCs are courts of general jurisdiction.
3. Courts of limited jurisdiction below the rtc. Their J. is limited by law.
Q. What courts are these?
Answer:
In Metro Manila they are referred to as Metropolitan trial courts.
In chartered cities outside MetroManila like Cebu, Baguio, Zamboanga, Davao, Bacolod, Ilo2, Naga they
are referred to as Municipal Trial courts in Cities (MTCC)
In the various municipalities they are referred to as, Municipal trial courts (MTC)
And in smaller municipalities, circuitize yan. Municipal circuit trial courts (MCTC)
These were the courts created in pursuant to B.P 129 the judiciary reorganization act of 1980.
SANDIGANBAYAN:
In addition to these courts you have the Sandiganbayan . A special court created by law having jurisdiction
over offenses committed by public officers and employees.
Note: the SB is co-equal with the C.A that is why the judges of the Sandiganbayan are addressed as justices.
SPECIAL TAX APPEALS COURT:
SPECIAL COURTS CREATED FOR THE MUSLIM COURTS SHARIA COURTS
These are special courts created for the Muslim code of the Phil.
2 levels of Sharia courts:
1. Sharia District court equivalent to the RTC.