Photo from Court of Appeals website
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Also, the matters contained in the following were written in accordance with the law, rules, and jurisprudence prevailing at the time of writing and posting, and do not include any future developments on the subject matter under discussion.
AT A GLANCE:
The Court of Appeals was formally organized on February 1, 1936, through Commonwealth Act No. 3, which was enacted on December 3, 1935. This law formally created the Court of Appeals and defined its jurisdiction or the types of cases it could handle. (Commonwealth Act No. 3 of 1935)
The Court of Appeals is the second highest tribunal in the Philippines, next to the Supreme Court. This appellate court serves as a vital component in the administration of justice, providing a venue for reviewing decisions and resolving legal disputes that fall within its jurisdiction.
The law says:
“Commonwealth Act No. 3.— An Act to amend certain provisions of the Revised Administrative Code on the judiciary, by reducing the number of justices of the Supreme Court and creating the Court of Appeals and defining their respective jurisdictions, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.”
The Court Appeals shall exercise its powers, functions, and duties, through seventeen (17) divisions, each composed of three (3) members. The Court may sit en banc only for the purpose of exercising administrative, ceremonial, or other non-adjudicatory functions. (Section 4, Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, as amended by Exec. Order No. 33)
Mandate of the Court of Appeals
“The principal mandate of the Court of Appeals is to exercise appellate jurisdiction on all cases not falling within the original and exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. Its decisions are final except when appealed to the Supreme Court on questions of law. It also exercises original jurisdiction on the issuance of writs of mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpus and all other writs whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction.” (Source: Court of Appeals Official Website)
Jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals
According to Section 9 of Batas Pambansa Blg 129 or The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, the Court of Appeals shall exercise:
- Original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, and quo warranto, and auxiliary writs or processes, whether or not in aid of its appellate jurisdiction;
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over actions for annulment of judgements of Regional Trial Courts; and
- Exclusive appellate jurisdiction over all final judgements, resolutions, orders or awards of Regional Trial Courts and quasi-judicial agencies, instrumentalities, boards or commission, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Social Security Commission, the Employees Compensation Commission and the Civil Service Commission, Except those falling within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court in accordance with the Constitution, the Labor Code of the Philippines under Presidential Decree No. 442, as amended, the provisions of this Act, and of subparagraph (1) of the third paragraph and subparagraph 4 of the fourth paragraph of Section 17 of the Judiciary Act of 1948.
The Court of Appeals shall have the power to try cases and conduct hearings, receive evidence and perform any and all acts necessary to resolve factual issues raised in cases falling within its original and appellate jurisdiction, including the power to grant and conduct new trials or Appeals must be continuous and must be completed within three (3) months, unless extended by the Chief Justice. (as amended by R.A. No. 7902.)
In simpler terms, the main job of the Court of Appeals is to review and decide on cases that didn’t start directly in the Supreme Court. So, if you’re not happy with a decision from a lower court, you can ask the Court of Appeals to take a look. Usually, the Court of Appeals has the final say, but if there’s a big question about the law, it can be taken up to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Besides this reviewing role, the Court of Appeals also has a special power to handle certain urgent situations. It can issue orders (like telling someone to do or not do something) or respond to requests for help (like when someone is held against their will) through what they call writs. So, while its main job is to review cases, it can also step in quickly when needed to make sure things are fair and just.
Read also: EXPANDED JURISDICTION OF FIRST LEVEL COURTS
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