Republic of the Philippines

EULOGIO “AMANG” RODRIGUEZ

INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cavite Campus
General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite

Subject: INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

Subject Code: CL1IPCJS
Topic: COURT
Sub-Topics: THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS
TYPES OF BAIL
REGULAR COURTS, SPECIAL COURTS, COLLEGIATE COURTS, LOWER
COURTS
RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED
TRIAL
Reporters: DE OCAMPO, ANGIELINE E.
AUSTRIA, RUTH ANNE V.
CALVELO, M-REY M.
ESCULTURA, ELIAS MEL T.
FLORES, ARVIN A.
GUITIEREZ, MARK JEROME B.
PANGILINAN, EMERSON A.
PARAISO, SHEKAINAH A.
TERTE, ELCYD BRENT T.

Instructor: Mr. ALVIN T. REJUSO, RCrim, LPT

COURT

Court is the centerpiece of the Criminal Justice System. It is an organ of the government
belonging to the judicial department whose function is the application of the laws to controversies
brought before it and public for administration of justice. Court is charged with the duty of determining
whether or not the accused is guilty of the crime charged.

A. THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Of all the components of Criminal Justice System, court stands as the "corner stone" of the
system. The court is involved in securing the efficiency and fairness in the administration of criminal
justice. The judicial bodies manage by the judges handles the most sensitive part of criminal justice. If
determines the innocence or guilt of the accused. Judges exercise enormous discretionary power,
since they function without any kind of direct supervision and perform their work alone.
Nature of the Administration of Justice

Compare to the other functions and duties, the dispensing of justice, being extremely
important, is both delicate and singular. To sit in judgement over one's fellowmen, to pass upon their
controversies involving their rights and fortunes and in the criminal cases, determine their innocence
or guilt which decision affects and involves their freedom, their honors even their lives, is no ordinary
chore or business. It is a serious task, weighty and fraught with grave responsibility and far-reaching
effects, a task earnest and solemn
almost partaking of the divine.

B. THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS

The word jurisdiction is derived from the Latin term “juris” and “deco” which means “I speak the
law”. It is the authority by which judicial officers take cognizance and decide cases.

Meaning of Jurisdiction or Courts

1. General- when itis empowered to decide all disputes which may come before it except those
assigned to other courts.

2. Limited- when it has authority to hear and determine only a specific case (Special Court).

3. Original- when it can try and decide a case presented for the first time.

4. Appellate- when it can take a case already heard and decided by a lower court remove from
the latter by appeal.

5. Exclusive- when it can try and decide a case which cannot be presented before any court.

6. Concurrent- when anyone of two or more courts may take cognizance of a case.

7. Criminal- that which exists for the punishment of crime.

8. Civil- that which exists when the subject matter is not a criminal nature.

C. TYPES OF BAIL

The person may file bail before or after his arrest. Bail is the security given for the release of a
person in custody of the law. Provided, that he is not charge with crime whose punishment is death,
and is not punishable by reclusion perpetua or life sentence, and if the evidence of his guilt is strong.

The filing of bail can be done in the form of;

1.) Corporate Surety, in which a private institution guarantor the appearance of the person whenever
the court requires.
2.) Property Bond, covers only real properties that would guarantee for his temporary release.
3.) Cash Deposits, is the amount recommended by the prosecutor or changed or fixed by the judge,
must be satisfied by the bondsman. The judge has the discretion as to the amount of the bail bond
whether to reduce it in its minimum or to increase it to its maximum amount.
4.) Recognizance, a responsible and reputable person in the community can take the obligation and
responsibility for the release and present him whenever the court needs his personal appearance.

Purpose of Bail

The purpose of bail is to relieve an accused from imprisonment until his conviction, and yet
secure his appearance at the trial. Bail is a matter of right provided by the constitution provided, that
he satisfies the requirements for him to be able to, accused is presumed innocent. The right to bail is
available to any person arrested, detained, or otherwise deprived of his liberty. Whether or not an
information or criminal complaint has been filed against him.

Conditions of Bail

The undertaking of posting a bail bond shall be effective upon approval and remain it force at all
stages of the case, unless sooner cancelled, until the promulgation of the judgment of the court,
irrespective of whether the case is originally filed or appealed;

•The accused shall appear before the court whenever so required by the court;

•The failure of the accuses to appear at the trial without justification despite due notice to him or his
bondsman shall be deemed an express waiver of is right to be present on the date specified in the
notice. In such case, the trial may proceed in absentia;

•The bondsman shall surrender the accused to the court for execution of be promulgated.

D. REGULAR COURTS, SPECIAL COURTS, COLLEGIATE COURTS, LOWER COURTS

Regular Courts- these refer to those courts authorized to engage in the general administration of
justice. These courts derive their powers from the Philippine Constitution, which is the fundamental
law of the land. At the apex of the courts lumped within this classification is the Philippine Supreme
Court.
There are four (4) levels of courts in the Philippines, wherein the judicial power is vested.
Below the Supreme Courts are lower courts of graduating degrees of responsibility, which the court of
a lower-level deferring to the authority of a higher-level court.
At the lowest level of the hierarchy are the first-level courts, consisting of the Metropolitan Trial
Courts (MTCs), the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (or Municipalities) (MTCCs), and Municipal Circuit
Trial Courts (MCTCs). These are basically trial courts.
• Supreme Court- highest court in the Philippines. Court of final appeal that affirms, modifies,
affirms or reverse judgement of lower courts.
• Court of Appeals- vested with jurisdiction over appeals from the decisions of the Regional
Trial Courts and certain quasi-judicial agencies, boards or commissions.
• Regional Trial Courts (formerly known as court of first instance)- jurisdiction over
criminal cases where the impossible penalty is more than six years of imprisonment. If the
cases are not within the jurisdiction of any other courts, the same are lodged with the RTC.
• Municipal Trial Courts (formerly known as inferior courts)- jurisdiction over criminal
cases where the imposable penalty is six years of imprisonment or below or if it covers only
one municipality.
• Municipal Circuit Trial Court- if it covers two or more municipalities.
 • Metropolitan Trial Courts- Municipal Trial Courts in the towns and cities in the Metropolitan
Manila Area (NCR)
• Municipal Trial Court in Cities- the equivalent of the Municipal Trial Courts outside
Metropolitan Manila are referred to as Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

Special Courts- the Philippine judicial system recognizes the existence of tribunals that have limited
jurisdiction over specific types of controversies. These tribunals are called “special courts”. Among
the classification of special courts are:
• Court of Tax Appeals- exclusive appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the decisions of the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the Commissioner of Customs on certain specific
issue.
• Sandiganbayan- exclusive jurisdictions over violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
Act (Republic Act No. 3019), the Unexplained Wealth Act (Republic Act No. 1379), and other
crimes or felonies committed by public officials and employees in relation to their office,
including those employees in relation to their office, including those employees in government-
owned or controlled corporations
• Shari'a District Courts- established in certain specified provinces in Mindanao where the
Muslim Code on Personal Laws is being enforced.
• Shari'a Circuit Courts- equivalent to the Municipal Circuit Trial Courts.
(Shari’a courts- exercises powers of adjudication over Muslim Filipinos.)

Collegiate Courts- courts where consists a more than one (1) judges. Among the classification of
collegiate courts are:
• Supreme Court- composed of one Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices
• Court of Appeals- one Presiding Justice and sixty-eight Associate Justices.
• Sandiganbayan- one Presiding Justice, fourteen Associate Justices
• Court of Tax Appeals- Presiding Judge and two Associate Judges

Lower Courts- A lower court is a court from which you can appeal. The lower court is the court
whose decision is being reviewed in an appeal from one court to another, which could be the original
trial court or an appellate court of lesser rank than the superior court hearing the appeal.
• Court of Appeals
• Sandiganbayan
• Court of Tax Appeals
• Regional Trial Courts
• Metropolitan Trial Courts
• Municipal Trial Court in Cities
• Municipal Trial Courts
• Municipal Circuit Trial Court
• Shari’a District Courts
• Shari’a Circuit Courts

E. RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED

Statutory Rights of Accused

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be entitled to the following rights:

1. To be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved beyond reasonable doubt;

2. To be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him;

3. To be present and defend in person and by counsel at every stage of the proceedings, from
arraignment to promulgation of the judgment. The accused may, however, waive his presence at the
trial pursuant to the stipulations set forth in his tail, unless his presence is specifically ordered by the
court for purposes of identification. The absence of the accused without justifiable cause at the trial of
which he had notice shall be considered a waiver of his right to be present thereat. When an accused
under custody escapes, he shall be deemed to have waived his right to be present on all subsequent
trial dates until custody over him is regained. Upon motion, the accused may be allowed to defend
himself in person when it sufficiently appears to the court that he can properly protect his rights
without the assistance of counsel.

4. To testify as a witness in his own behalf but subject to cross-examination on matters covered by
direct examination. His silence shall not in any manner prejudice him.

5. To be exempt from being compelled to be a witness against himself;

6. To confront and cross-examine the witnesses against him at the trial. Either party may utilize as
part of its evidence the testimony of a witness who is deceased, out of or cannot with due diligence
be found in the Philippines, unavailable, or otherwise unable to testify, given in another case or
proceeding, judicial or administrative, involving the same parties and subject matter, the adverse
party having the opportunity to cross-examine him.

7. To have compulsory process issued to secure the attendance of witnesses and production of other
evidence in his behalf;

8. To have speedy, impartial and public trial and to appeal in all cases allowed and, in the manner,
prescribed by law.

F. TRIAL

The trial is a structured process where the facts of a case are presented to a jury, and they
decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charge offered. During trial, the prosecutor uses
witnesses and evidence to prove to the jury that the defendant committed the crime(s). The defendant,
represented by an attorney, also tells his side of the story using witnesses and evidence.

Order of the Trial

The trial shall proceed in the flowing order.

a.) The prosecution shall present evidence to prove the charge and, in the proper case, the civil liability.

b.) The accused may present evidence to prove his defense, and damages, if any, arising from the
issuances of any provisional remedy in the case.

c.) The parties may then respectively present rebutting evidence only, unless the court, in furtherance
of justice, permits them to present additional evidence bearing upon the main issue.

d.) Upon the admission of the evidence, the case shall be deemed submitted for decision unless the
court directs the parties to argue orally or to submit memoranda.
e.) However, when the accused admits the act or omission charged in the complaint or information but
interposes a lawful defense, the order of trial may be modified accordingly. (Such as self-defense,
insanity etc.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES

Cano, G, et al., (2010). Philippine Criminal Justice System. Mindshapers CO., INC: Intramuros,
Manila.