The judiciary of the Philippines consists of the Supreme Court, which is established by the Constitution, and three levels of lower courts, which are established by law by the Congress of the Philippines. The Supreme Court has expansive powers, including the authority to overrule political and administrative decisions, and the ability to craft rules and law without precedent. It further determines the rules of procedure for lower courts, and its members sit on electoral tribunals.

Below the Supreme Court is the Court of Appeals, which also has nationwide jurisdiction, with different divisions based in different regions of the country. Decisions from this court may only be appealed to the Supreme Court. Below this level are Regional Trial Courts, which are spread throughout the country among judicial regions. Some of these courts are specialized to deal with certain types of cases. Below these courts are the first-level Metropolitan and Municipal Trial Courts, which are located in cities and municipalities throughout the country.

Outside the regular court system, special courts have been set up to deal with particular cases. These include the Court of Tax Appeals and the Sandiganbayan, which are considered equivalent to the Court of Appeals. In some parts of the country, Sharia courts have been established. Outside the court system, a number of quasi-judicial bodies have powers established by law.

The Supreme Court was given its expansive powers following the period of martial law, during which the executive dominated. While the Judiciary oversees the other branches of government, judges are appointed by the President of the Philippines from a shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council, a body the president can influence.

Hierarchy of courts

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court (SC) is the highest court of the land and is the court of last resort. It is led by the Chief Justice, who is joined by 14 Associate Justices. The court has expansive powers and a constitutional responsibility to oversee other branches of government, able even to overrule the discretion of political and administrative individuals and bodies. This power is a response to a previous period of martial law during which the courts often declined to act against the Executive. These powers also gave the courts rule-making abilities more typically associated with legislatures.

The 1987 constitution gives the Supreme Court "original jurisdiction on cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus". It is the appellate court for cases where "the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in question", for the "legality of any tax" and related matters, where the "jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue", "criminal cases where the penalty is reclusión perpetua or higher", and "in which only an error or question of law is involved". Appeals from lower courts are taken on certiorari. Appellate jurisdiction over various matters can be increased by the Philippine Congress in agreement with the court.

The court's powers allow it to create new law without requiring precedent, and on which its decision is final. The Oposa v. Factoran case, centered on environmental protection, saw the court recognize the rights of future generations. Writs of amparo and habeas data were approved in 2007, to better enable courts to deal with extrajudicial killings and disappearances. In 2008 it rewrote libel guidelines, reducing penalties. Environmental protections were further enhanced through the approval of the writ of kalikasan in 2010, which provided protections against extreme environmental damage. Both of these writs came with a provision that removed filing fees. The 2010 rules of procedure for environmental cases established by the Supreme Court were a first for any country. In 2015 the court recognized the standing of cetaceans, including "toothed whales, dolphins, [and] porpoises", who while lacking independent legal personality could be represented by Philippine citizens, in a case regarding oil exploration in the Tañon Strait. The decision came following a case lasting eight years, ending long after the oil exploration had already ceased.

The Supreme Court is the only court established through the constitution, with all lower courts being established through legislation. It makes up the fourth and highest level of court, with lower courts on the same level unable to review the decisions of courts at the same level. The rules governing the proceedings in the lower courts are determined by the Supreme Court.

Regular courts In addition to the Supreme Court, there are three lower levels of regular courts. This structure is hierarchical. Second and first-level courts are organized geographically, although this is purely an administrative arrangement.

Third-level courts

The Court of Appeals (CA) is the appellate court for civil and criminal cases not involving actions related to governing the country, and has original jurisdiction on issuance of writs of mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpus and other auxiliary writs. The court is composed of 68 associate justices headed by a presiding justice. These are divided into 23 divisions of 3 members, 17 of which are based in Manila and hear cases from Luzon, 3 of which are based in Cebu City and hear cases from the Visayas, and 3 which are based in Cagayan de Oro and hear cases from Mindanao. The court shares some concurrent original jurisdiction with the Supreme Court. It is the second highest court, and decisions reached by this court can only be appealed to the Supreme Court on questions of law.

Second-level courts

A regional trial court (RTC) has original jurisdiction on criminal matters, except on those where the Sandiganbayan has original jurisdiction on, and for certain civil suits. Multiple branches of regional trial courts can be established in the same judicial region. Each branch, as in all second and first level courts, is led by a single judge. Some RTC branches are directed to focus exclusively on certain types of cases.

First-level courts First-level courts have original jurisdiction on criminal matters, except on those where the Sandiganbayan and regional trial courts have original jurisdiction on, on violations of city or municipal ordinances, on certain civil cases, and on cases involving forcible entry. Each court has one judge. A party may appeal to a regional trial court.

The following are the first level courts: Metropolitan trial courts (MeTC) are first level courts in Metro Manila Municipal trial courts (MTC) are first level courts in each municipality Municipal trial courts in cities (MTCC) are first level courts in each city outside Metro Manila Municipal circuit trial courts (MCTC) are first level courts in two or more municipalities

+List of first-level courts in the PhilippinesProvince/CityFirst-level courtsAbra MTC Bangued MTC Bucay MTC Lagangilang 1st MCTC (Pidigan–San Quintin–Langiden) 2nd MCTC (Tayum–Peñarrubia) 3rd MCTC (Pilar–Villaviciosa–San Isidro) 4th MCTC (Manabo–Boliney–Tubo–Luba) 5th MCTC (Sallapadan–Bucloc–Daguioman) 6th MCTC (La Paz–Lagayan–Danglas) 7th MCTC (Dolores–San Juan) 8th MCTC (Baay-Licuan–Malibcong–Lacub–Tineg)Agusan del Norte MTC Buenavista MTC Carmen MTC Nasipit MTCC Cabadbaran Single Sala 1st MCTC (Magallanes–Las Nieves–Remedios T. Romualdez) 2nd MCTC (Tubay–Santiago) 3rd MCTC (Jabonga–Kitcharao)Agusan del Sur MTC Prosperidad MTCC Bayugan 1st MCTC (San Francisco–Bunawan–Rosario) 2nd MCTC (Trento–Santa Josefa–Veruela) 3rd MCTC (Loreto–La Paz) 4th MCTC (Esperanza–San Luis–Talacogon–Sibagat)Aklan MTC Kalibo 1st MCTC (New Washington–Batan) 2nd MCTC (Banga–Libacao–Madalag) 3rd MCTC (Malinao–Lezo–Numancia) 4th MCTC (Makato–Tangalan) 5th MCTC (Malay–Buruanga) 6th MCTC (Altavas–Balete) 7th MCTC (Ibajay–Nabas)Albay MTC Daraga MTC Guinobatan MTC Pio Duran MTC Rapu-Rapu MTCC Legazpi Branches 1, 2 and 3 MTCC Ligao Single Sala MTCC Tabaco Single Sala 1st MCTC (Malinao–Tiwi) 2nd MCTC (Bacacay–Malilipot) 3rd MCTC (Santo Domingo–Manito) 4th MCTC (Camalig–Jovellar) 6th MCTC (Polangui–Libon–Oas)Angeles City MTCC Angeles City Branches 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5Antique MTC San Jose 1st MCTC (Tobias Fornier–Anini-y–Hamtic) 2nd MCTC (Sibalom–San Remigio–Belison) 3rd MCTC (Patnongon–Bugasong–Valderrama) 4th MCTC (Barbaza–Laua-an–Tibiao) 5th MCTC (Culasi–Sebaste) 6th MCTC (Pandan–Libertad–Caluya)Apayao 4th MCTC (Luna–Pudtol–Calanasan) 5th MCTC (Flora–Santa Marcela) 6th MCTC (Kabugao–Conner)Aurora MTC Dingalan 1st MCTC (Casiguran–Dilasag–Dinalongan) 2nd MCTC (Maria Aurora–Dipaculao) 3rd MCTC (Baler–San Luis)Bacolod MTCC Bacolod Branches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7Baguio MTCC Baguio Branches 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6Basilan MTCC Isabela Single Sala MTCC Lamitan Single Sala 2nd MCTC (Maluso–Lantawan–Sumisip)Bataan MTC Abucay MTC Limay MTC Mariveles MTCC Balanga Single Sala 1st MCTC (Dinalupihan–Hermosa) 2nd MCTC (Orani–Samal) 3rd MCTC (Pilar–Orion) 4th MCTC (Bagac–Morong)Batanes MTC Itbayat MTC Sabtang 1st MCTC (Basco–Mahatao) 2nd MCTC (Ivana–Uyugan)Batangas MTC Balayan MTC Bauan MTC Calatagan MTC Cuenca MTC Lemery MTC Lian MTC Mataas-na-Kahoy MTC Nasugbu MTC Padre Garcia MTC Rosario MTC San Jose MTC San Juan MTC San Pascual MTC Tuy MTC Ibaan MTCC Batangas City Branches 1 and 2 MTCC Calaca MTCC Lipa Branches 1, 2 and 3 MTCC Santo Tomas MTCC Tanauan Single Sala 1st MCTC (Mabini–Tingloy) 2nd MCTC (Taysan–Lobo) 3rd MCTC (Alitagtag–Santa Teresita) 4th MCTC (Malvar–Balete) 5th MCTC (Talisay–Laurel) 6th MCTC (San Luis–Agoncillo) 7th MCTC (Taal–San Nicolas)Benguet MTC Itogon MTC La Trinidad MTC Mankayan 1st MCTC (Kapangan–Kibungan) 2nd MCTC (Tublay–Atok) 3rd MCTC (Kabayan–Bokod) 4th MCTC (Buguias–Bakun) 5th MCTC (Tuba–Sablan)Biliran MTC Maripipi MTC Naval 1st MCTC (Kawayan–Almeria) 2nd MCTC (Biliran–Cabucgayan) 3rd MCTC (Caibiran–Culaba)Bohol MTC Calape MTC Loon MTCC Tagbilaran Branches 1, 2, 3 and 4 1st MCTC (Cortes–Antequera–Maribojoc) 2nd MCTC (Tubigon–Clarin) 3rd MCTC (Inabanga–Buenavista) 4th MCTC (Talibon–Jetafe) 5th MCTC (Trinidad–San Miguel–Bien Unido) 6th MCTC (Ubay–President Carlos P. Garcia) 7th MCTC (Alicia–Mabini) 8th MCTC (Candijay–Anda) 9th MCTC (Guindulman–Duero) 10th MCTC (Jagna–Garcia Hernandez) 11th MCTC (Valencia–Dimiao) 12th MCTC (Lila–Loboc) 13th MCTC (Loay–Albuquerque–Baclayon) 14th MCTC (Dauis–Panglao) 15th MCTC (Bilar–Sevilla) 16th MCTC (Carmen–Batuan) 17th MCTC (Sierra Bullones–Pilar) 18th MCTC (Dagohoy–Danao) 19th MCTC (Balilihan–Sikatuna–Corella) 20th MCTC (Catigbian–San Isidro–Sagbayan)Bukidnon MTC San Fernando MTC Quezon MTCC Malaybalay Single Sala MTCC Valencia Single Sala 1st MCTC (Talakag–Malitbog–Baungon) 2nd MCTC (Manolo Fortich–Libona) 3rd MCTC (Impasug-ong–Sumilao) 4th MCTC (Maramag–Kalilangan–Pangantucan) 5th MCTC (Don Carlos–Dangcagan–Kitaotao) 6th MCTC (Kibawe–Damulog–Kadingilan) 7th MCTC (Lantapan–Cabanglaasan)Bulacan MTC Angat MTC Balagtas MTC Bocaue MTC Bulacan Branches 1 and 2 MTC Bustos MTC Calumpit MTC Doña Remedios Trinidad MTC Guiguinto MTC Hagonoy MTC Marilao MTC Norzagaray MTC Obando MTC Pandi MTC Paombong MTC Plaridel MTC Pulilan MTC San Rafael MTC San Ildefonso MTC San Miguel MTC Santa Maria MTCC Baliuag MTCC Malolos Branches 1 and 2 MTCC Meycauayan Branches 1 and 2 MTCC San Jose del Monte Branches 1, 2 and 3Butuan MTCC Butuan Branch 1, 2, 3 and 4Cagayan MTC Abulug MTC Alcala MTC Baggao MTC Ballesteros MTC Buguey MTC Camalaniugan MTC Gattaran MTC Lal-lo Branches 1, 2 and 3 MTC Peñablanca MTC Rizal MTC Santa Ana MTC Tuao MTCC Tuguegarao Branches 1, 2, 3 and 4