JUDICIAL​ ​DEPARTMENT 

● The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​administrative​ ​supervision​ ​over​ ​all​ ​courts​ ​and 
  their​ ​personnel; 
● Supreme​ ​Court​ ​personnel​ ​are​ ​covered​ ​under​ ​civil​ ​service​ ​laws​ ​but​ ​the​ ​main 
➔ Pursuant​ ​to​ ​the​ ​principle​ ​of​ ​separation​ ​of​ ​powers,​ ​the​ ​judicial​ ​branch​ ​of​ ​the  administrative​ ​body​ ​overseeing​ ​them​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court 
government​ ​should​ ​be​ ​independent​ ​of​ ​the​ ​two​ ​other​ ​main​ ​branches​ ​of​ ​the  ● Appointments​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​courts​ ​shall​ ​NOT​ ​be 
government  subject​ ​to​ ​confirmation​​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Appointments  
  ● No​ ​law​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​passed​ ​reorganizing​ ​the​ ​judiciary​ ​when​ ​it​ ​undermines​ ​the 
COMPOSITION​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​SUPREME​ ​COURT  security​ ​of​ ​tenure​ ​of​ ​its​ ​members 
a. One​ ​Chief​ ​Justice 
 
b. Fourteen​ ​Associate​ ​Justices  EN​ ​BANC​ ​CASES​ ​(Sec.​ ​4​ ​[2,3],​ ​Art.​ ​VIII;​ ​Sec.​ ​4​ ​[7],​ ​Art.​ ​VII) 
  a. All​ ​cases​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​of​ ​a​ ​treaty,​ ​international​ ​or​ ​executive 
The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​decides​ ​cases​ ​as​ ​a​ ​collegial​ ​body,​ ​either​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​or​ ​as​ ​a  agreement,​ ​or​ ​law; 
division:  b. All​ ​other​ ​cases​ ​which​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Rules​ ​of​ ​Court​ ​are​ ​required​ ​to​ ​be​ ​heard​ ​en 
● En​ ​banc​ ​-​ ​all​ ​15​ ​members​ ​will​ ​deliberate​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cases  banc; 
● Division​ ​-​ ​court​ ​divides​ ​its​ ​members​ ​into​ ​3,​ ​5,​ ​or​ ​7​ ​divisions  c. Those​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​constitutionality,​ ​application,​ ​or​ ​operation​ ​of​ ​presidential 
The​ ​majority​ ​rule​ ​is​ ​followed​ ​when​ ​making​ ​decisions.​ ​If​ ​in​ ​a​ ​division​ ​a​ ​majority  decrees,​ ​proclamations,​ ​orders,​ ​instructions,​ ​ordinances,​ ​and​ ​other 
cannot​ ​be​ ​reached,​ ​the​ ​case​ ​will​ ​be​ ​referred​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​en​ ​banc.  regulations; 
d. Cases​ ​heard​ ​by​ ​the​ ​division​ ​when​ ​the​ ​required​ ​number​ ​is​ ​not​ ​obtained; 
  e. Cases​ ​where​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​modifies​ ​or​ ​reverses​ ​a​ ​doctrine​ ​a​ ​principle 
- Any​​ ​vacancy​​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​must​ ​be​ ​filled​ ​within​ ​ninety​ ​(90)​ ​days  of​ ​law​ ​laid​ ​down​ ​by​ ​the​ ​SC​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​or​ ​in​ ​a​ ​division; 
from​ ​occurrence​ ​thereof   f. Cases​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​discipline​ ​or​ ​dismissal​ ​of​ ​judges​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​court; 
- Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​judges​ ​of​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​courts,​ ​are  g. When​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​sits​ ​as​ ​the​ ​sole​ ​judge​ ​of​ ​all​ ​contests​ ​relating​ ​to 
appointed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​President​​ ​from​ ​a​ ​shortlist​ ​of​ ​three​ ​nominees​ ​prepared  the​ ​election,​ ​returns,​ ​and​ ​qualifications​ ​of​ ​the​ ​President​ ​or​ ​Vice-​ ​President 
and​ ​presented​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Judicial​ ​and​ ​Bar​ ​Council​ ​(JBC).​ ​The​ ​President​ ​can   
only​ ​choose​ ​among​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​nominees​.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​applicable​ ​in​ ​all​ ​courts​ ​in  En​ ​banc​ ​cases​ ​under​ ​Firestone​ ​Ceramics​ ​Inc.​ ​vs.​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​Appeals​ ​(June​ ​28, 
the​ ​Philippines,​ ​including​ ​the​ ​Sharia​ ​courts.  2000) 
  a. Cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​or​ ​validity​ ​of​ ​any​ ​treaty,​ ​international​ ​or 
QUALIFICATIONS​ ​FOR​ ​SUPREME​ ​COURT​ ​JUSTICES  executive​ ​agreement,​ ​law,​ ​executive​ ​order,​ ​or​ ​presidential​ ​decree, 
a. Natural-born​ ​Filipino​ ​citizen;  proclamation,​ ​order,​ ​instruction,​ ​ordinance,​ ​or​ ​regulation​ ​is​ ​in​ ​question; 
b. At​ ​least​ ​40​ ​years​ ​of​ ​age;  b. Criminal​ ​cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​appealed​ ​decision​ ​imposes​ ​the​ ​death​ ​penalty; 
c. Must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​for​ ​fifteen​ ​years​ ​or​ ​more​ ​a​ ​judge​ ​of​ ​a​ ​lower​ ​court​ ​or  ➔ Automatic​ ​review​ ​even​ ​in​ ​the​ ​absence​ ​of​ ​a​ ​notice​ ​of​ ​appeal 
engaged​ ​in​ ​the​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​law​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Philippines;  c. Cases​ ​raising​ ​novel​ ​questions​ ​of​ ​law; 
- “Practice​ ​of​ ​law”​ ​-​ ​not​ ​limited​ ​to​ ​actual​ ​appearances​ ​in​ ​court;​ ​it​ ​is​ ​any  d. Cases​ ​affecting​ ​ambassadors,​ ​other​ ​public​ ​ministers​ ​and​ ​consuls; 
activity​ ​which​ ​requires​ ​or​ ​calls​ ​for​ ​the​ ​application​ ​of​ ​legal​ ​knowledge  e. Cases​ ​involving​ ​decisions,​ ​resolutions​ ​or​ ​orders​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Civil​ ​Service 
d. Must​ ​be​ ​a​ ​person​ ​of​ ​proven​ ​competence,​ ​integrity,​ ​probity,​ ​and  Commission,​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Elections,​ ​and​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Audit; 
independence.  f. Cases​ ​where​ ​the​ ​penalty​ ​to​ ​be​ ​imposed​ ​is​ ​the​ ​dismissal​ ​of​ ​a​ ​judge,​ ​officer 
  or​ ​employee​ ​of​ ​the​ ​judiciary,​ ​disbarment​ ​of​ ​a​ ​lawyer,​ ​or​ ​either​ ​the 
➔ Congress​ ​may​ ​prescribe​ ​additional​ ​requirements​ ​for​ ​lower​ ​court​ ​judges,  suspension​ ​of​ ​any​ ​of​ ​them​ ​for​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​(1)​ ​year​ ​or​ ​a​ ​fine 
without​ ​violating​ ​the​ ​independence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​judiciary.​ ​For​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the  exceeding​ ​P10,000.00​ ​or​ ​both; 
Supreme​ ​Court,​ ​it​ ​will​ ​be​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​itself​ ​which​ ​would​ ​prescribe​ ​the  ➔ Quantum​ ​of​ ​evidence: 
qualifications​ ​of​ ​a​ ​would-be​ ​nominee.  ◆ Disbarment​ ​of​ ​a​ ​lawyer​ ​-​ ​substantial​ ​evidence 
◆ To​ ​be​ ​appointed​ ​as​ ​an​ ​MTC​ ​judge,​ ​a​ ​person​ ​must​ ​have​ ​been  ◆ Expulsion​ ​of​ ​a​ ​judge​ ​-​ ​proof​ ​beyond​ ​reasonable​ ​doubt 
engaged​ ​in​ ​the​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​law​ ​for​ ​at​ ​least​ ​five​ ​(5)​ ​years;  ◆ The​ ​IBP​ ​can​ ​investigate​ ​a​ ​lawyer​ ​but​ ​cannot​ ​impose​ ​a​ ​penalty.​ ​It 
◆ To​ ​be​ ​appointed​ ​as​ ​an​ ​RTC​ ​judge,​ ​a​ ​person​ ​must​ ​have​ ​been  can​ ​only​ ​recommend​ ​a​ ​penalty,​ ​but​ ​it​ ​is​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​who 
engaged​ ​in​ ​the​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​law​ ​for​ ​at​ ​least​ ​ten​ ​(10)​ ​years;  has​ ​the​ ​final​ ​say​ ​on​ ​and​ ​can​ ​impose​ ​the​ ​penalty 
  g. Cases​ ​where​ ​a​ ​doctrine​ ​or​ ​principle​ ​laid​ ​down​ ​by​ ​the​ ​court​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​or​ ​in 
BASIC​ ​RULES  division​ ​may​ ​be​ ​modified​ ​or​ ​reversed; 
● Justices​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​may​ ​only​ ​be​ ​removed​ ​through​ ​impeachment;  h. Cases​ ​assigned​ ​to​ ​a​ ​division​ ​which​ ​in​ ​the​ ​opinion​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​three​ ​(3) 
● Retirement​ ​age​ ​for​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​judiciary​ ​is​ ​70​ ​years​ ​old;  members​ ​thereof​ ​merit​ ​the​ ​attention​ ​of​ ​the​ ​court​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​and​ ​are 
● The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​has​ ​the​ ​sole​ ​power​ ​to​ ​discipline,​ ​suspend,​ ​and  acceptable​ ​to​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​actual​ ​membership​ ​of​ ​the​ ​court​ ​en​ ​banc;​ ​and 
expel​ ​judges​ ​of​ ​lower​ ​courts; 

ally 
 i. All​ ​other​ ​cases​ ​as​ ​the​ ​court​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​by​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​its​ ​actual​ ​membership 
may​ ​deem​ ​of​ ​sufficient​ ​importance​ ​to​ ​merit​ ​its​ ​attention.  dispatch​ ​that​ ​their​ ​needs​ ​require.​ ​It​ ​recognizes​ ​the​ ​power​ ​and​ ​authority​ ​to 
  levy,​ ​assess​ ​and​ ​collect​ ​fees,​ ​fix​ ​rates​ ​of​ ​compensation​ ​not​ ​exceeding 
● All​ ​cases​ ​not​ ​enumerated​ ​can​ ​be​ ​decided​ ​by​ ​a​ ​division  the​ ​highest​ ​rates​ ​authorized​ ​by​ ​law​ ​for​ ​compensation​ ​and​ ​pay​ ​plans​ ​of 
● Only​ ​those​ ​who​ ​actually​ ​took​ ​part​ ​in​ ​the​ ​deliberations​ ​can​ ​vote​ ​in​ ​the  the​ ​government​ ​and​ ​allocate​ ​and​ ​disburse​ ​such​ ​sums​ ​as​ ​may​ ​be 
resolution​ ​of​ ​a​ ​case  provided​ ​by​ ​law​ ​or​ ​prescribed​ ​by​ ​them​ ​in​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​the​ ​discharge​ ​of 
  their​ ​functions. 
SAFEGUARDS​ ​OF​ ​JUDICIAL​ ​INDEPENDENCE   
  ● Judiciary​ ​Development​ ​Fund​​ ​-​ ​not​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​control​ ​by​ ​Congress,​ ​but 
1. The​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​judges​ ​of​ ​lower​ ​courts​ ​shall​ ​hold  subject​ ​to​ ​audit​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Audit 
office​ ​during​ ​good​ ​behavior​ ​until​ ​they​ ​reached​ ​the​ ​age​ ​of​ ​seventy​ ​years​ ​or  ○ Docket​ ​fees​ ​go​ ​to​ ​this​ ​fund 
become​ ​incapacitated​ ​to​ ​discharge​ ​the​ ​duties​ ​of​ ​their​ ​office​ ​(Sec.​ ​11,​ ​Art.   
VIII);  DISCIPLINARY​ ​POWERS 
2. The​ ​Judiciary​ ​shall​ ​enjoy​ ​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  CIVIL​ ​SERVICE​ ​COMMISSION​ ​VS.​ ​ANDAL 
released​ ​(Sec.​ ​3,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  December​ ​16,​ ​2009 
3. Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​may​ ​only​ ​be​ ​removed​ ​through 
impeachment​ ​(Sec.​ ​2,​ ​Art.​ ​XI);  A​ ​court​ ​employee​ ​falsified​ ​his​ ​civil​ ​service​ ​examination.​ ​The​ ​CSC​ ​has​ ​no 
4. Appellate​ ​jurisdiction​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​increased​ ​without​ ​its  disciplinary​ ​jurisdiction​ ​to​ ​try​ ​and​ ​decide​ ​administrative​ ​cases​ ​against​ ​the​ ​court 
advice​ ​and​ ​concurrence​ ​(Sec.​ ​30,​ ​Art.​ ​VI);  personnel.​ ​The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​administrative​ ​supervision​ ​over​ ​all 
5. The​ ​Congress​ ​may​ ​not​ ​deprive​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​its​ ​jurisdiction​ ​over  courts​ ​and​ ​the​ ​personnel​ ​thereof.​ ​By​ ​virtue​ ​of​ ​this​ ​power,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​only​ ​the​ ​Supreme 
cases​ ​enumerated​ ​in​ ​Sec.​ ​5,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII​ ​(Sec.​ ​2​ ​[1],​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  Court​ ​that​ ​can​ ​oversee​ ​the​ ​judges’​ ​and​ ​court​ ​personnel’s​ ​administrative 
6. No​ ​law​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​passed​ ​reorganizing​ ​the​ ​Judiciary​ ​when​ ​it​ ​undermines​ ​the  compliance​ ​with​ ​all​ ​laws,​ ​rules​ ​and​ ​regulations.​ ​No​ ​other​ ​branch​ ​of​ ​government 
security​ ​of​ ​tenure​ ​of​ ​its​ ​Members​ ​(Sec.​ ​2​ ​[2],​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  may​ ​intrude​ ​into​ ​this​ ​power,​ ​without​ ​running​ ​afoul​ ​of​ ​the​ ​doctrine​ ​of​ ​separation​ ​of 
7. Appointments​ ​by​ ​the​ ​President​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​courts  powers.​ ​in​ ​case​ ​of​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Civil​ ​Service​ ​Law​ ​by​ ​a​ ​court​ ​personnel,​ ​the 
need​ ​no​ ​confirmation​ ​(Sec.​ ​9[1],​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  standard​ ​procedure​ ​is​ ​for​ ​the​ ​CSC​ ​to​ ​bring​ ​its​ ​complaint​ ​against​ ​a​ ​judicial 
8. The​ ​Members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​of​ ​other​ ​courts​ ​established​ ​by​ ​law  employee​ ​before​ ​the​ ​Office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Court​ ​Administrator​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court. 
shall​ ​not​ ​be​ ​designated​ ​to​ ​any​ ​agency​ ​performing​ ​quasi-judicial​ ​or   
administrative​ ​functions​ ​(Sec.​ ​12,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  ● The​ ​Ombudsman​ ​can​ ​investigate​ ​a​ ​judge​ ​but​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​the​ ​referral​ ​of​ ​its 
➔ Except:​ ​membership​ ​in​ ​the​ ​JBC  findings​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Court​ ​Administrator 
9. The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​the​ ​power​ ​to​ ​discipline​ ​judges​ ​of   
lower​ ​courts,​ ​or​ ​order​ ​their​ ​dismissal​ ​by​ ​a​ ​vote​ ​of​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Members  JUDICIAL​ ​RESTRAINT 
who​ ​actually​ ​took​ ​part​ ​in​ ​the​ ​deliberations​ ​on​ ​the​ ​issues​ ​in​ ​the​ ​case​ ​and  Doctrine​ ​of​ ​Purposeful​ ​Hesitation 
voted​ ​thereon​ ​(Sec.​ ​11,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII);  ➔ Founded​ ​on​ ​separation​ ​of​ ​powers 
10. The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​shall​ ​have​ ​administrative​ ​supervision​ ​over​ ​all​ ​courts​ ​and  ➔ Charges​ ​every​ ​court,​ ​including​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court,​ ​with​ ​the​ ​duty​ ​of 
the​ ​personnel​ ​thereof​ ​(Sec.​ ​6,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII).  purposeful​ ​hesitation​ ​before​ ​declaring​ ​a​ ​law​ ​unconstitutional​​ ​on​ ​the 
  theory​ ​that​ ​a​ ​law​ ​was​ ​carefully​ ​studied​ ​first​ ​by​ ​the​ ​executive​ ​or​ ​legislative  
FISCAL​ ​AUTONOMY  ➔ It​ ​is​ ​incumbent​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​court​ ​to​ ​harmonize​ ​first​ ​the​ ​law​ ​with​ ​the 
  constitution​ ​before​ ​declaring​ ​unconstitutionality 
BENGSON​ ​VS.​ ​DRILON  ➔ Declaring​ ​unconstitutionality​ ​is​ ​the​ ​last​ ​resort;​ ​only​ ​in​ ​extreme​ ​cases​ ​should 
April​ ​15,​ ​1992  this​ ​be​ ​done 
 
“Fiscal​ ​autonomy”​ ​as​ ​applied​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​and​ ​other​ ​independent  ORIGINAL​ ​AND​ ​APPELLATE​ ​JURISDICTION​ ​OF​ ​THE​ ​SUPREME​ ​COURT 
Constitutional​ ​Commissions:  Original​ ​jurisdiction​ ​over: 
➔ Fiscal​ ​autonomy​ ​means​​ ​freedom​ ​from​ ​outside​ ​control.  1. Cases​ ​affecting​ ​ambassadors,​ ​other​ ​public​ ​ministers​ ​and​ ​consuls,​ ​and​ ​over 
➔ The​ ​fiscal​ ​autonomy​ ​enjoyed​ ​by​ ​the​ ​Judiciary,​ ​the​ ​Civil​ ​Service  petitions​ ​for​ ​certiorari,​ ​prohibition,​ ​mandamus,​ ​quo​ ​warranto,​ ​and​ ​habeas 
Commission,​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Audit,​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on​ ​Elections,  corpus; 
and​ ​the​ ​Office​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Ombudsman​ ​contemplates​ ​a​ ​guarantee​ ​on​ ​full  2. Cases​ ​over​ ​petitions​ ​for​ ​certiorari,​ ​prohibition,​ ​mandamus,​ ​quo​ ​warranto, 
flexibility​ ​to​ ​allocate​ ​and​ ​utilize​ ​their​ ​resources​ ​with​ ​the​ ​wisdom​ ​and  and​ ​habeas​ ​corpus. 
 
ally 
  iii. A​ ​representative​ ​of​ ​Congress 
Appellate​ ​jurisdiction​ ​over:  b. Regular​ ​members 
1. All​ ​cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​or​ ​validity​ ​of​ ​any​ ​treaty,​ ​international  i. Representative​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Integrated​ ​Bar​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Philippines; 
or​ ​executive​ ​agreement,​ ​law,​ ​presidential​ ​decree,​ ​proclamation,​ ​order,  ii. Professor​ ​of​ ​law; 
instruction,​ ​ordinance,​ ​or​ ​regulation​ ​is​ ​in​ ​question;  iii. Retired​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​Justice; 
2. All​ ​cases​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​legality​ ​of​ ​any​ ​tax,​ ​impost,​ ​assessment,​ ​or​ ​toll,​ ​or​ ​any  iv. Representative​ ​of​ ​the​ ​private​ ​sector 
penalty​ ​imposed​ ​in​ ​relation​ ​thereto;   
3. All​ ​cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​jurisdiction​ ​of​ ​any​ ​lower​ ​court​ ​is​ ​in​ ​issue;  ● The​ ​Clerk​ ​of​ ​Court​ ​of​ ​the​ ​SC​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​the​ ​ex-officio​ ​secretary​ ​of​ ​the​ ​JBC 
4. All​ ​criminal​ ​cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the​ ​penalty​ ​imposed​ ​is​ ​reclusion​ ​perpetua​ ​or  ● Ex-officio​ ​members​ ​require​ ​the​ ​confirmation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Commission​ ​on 
higher;  Appointments 
5. ​ ​All​ ​cases​ ​in​ ​which​ ​only​ ​an​ ​error​ ​or​ ​question​ ​of​ ​law​ ​is​ ​involved.  ● Regular​ ​members​ ​need​ ​no​ ​confirmation​ ​from​ ​the​ ​COA 
   
JUDICIAL​ ​POWER 
Sec.​ ​1,​ ​Art.​ ​VIII  CHAVEZ​ ​VS.​ ​JUDICIAL​ ​AND​ ​BAR​ ​COUNCIL 
TRADITIONAL​ ​CONCEPT:​​ ​ ​Judicial​ ​power​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​duty​ ​of​ ​the​ ​courts​ ​of​ ​justice  April​ ​16,​ ​2013 
to​ ​settle​ ​actual​ ​controversies​ ​involving​ ​rights​ ​which​ ​are​ ​legally​ ​demandable​ ​and 
enforceable  In​ ​1994,​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​having​ ​only​ ​7​ ​members,​ ​an​ ​eighth​ ​member​ ​was​ ​added​ ​to​ ​the 
EXPANDED​ ​CONCEPT:​,​ ​To​ ​determine​ ​whether​ ​or​ ​not​ ​there​ ​has​ ​been​ ​a​ ​grave​ ​abuse  JBC​ ​as​ ​two​ ​representatives​ ​from​ ​Congress​ ​began​ ​sitting​ ​in​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​–​ ​one​ ​from 
of​ ​discretion​ ​amounting​ ​to​ ​lack​ ​or​ ​excess​ ​of​ ​jurisdiction​ ​on​ ​the​ ​part​ ​of​ ​any​ ​branch​ ​or  the​ ​House​ ​of​ ​Representatives​ ​and​ ​one​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Senate,​ ​with​ ​each​ ​having​ ​one-half 
instrumentality​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Government.  (1/2)​ ​of​ ​a​ ​vote.​ ​In​ ​2000,​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​allowed​ ​the​ ​representatives​ ​from​ ​the​ ​Senate​ ​and 
  the​ ​House​ ​of​ ​Representatives​ ​one​ ​full​ ​vote​ ​each.​ ​Senator​ ​Francis​ ​Joseph​ ​G. 
Judicial​ ​Review  Escudero​ ​and​ ​Congressman​ ​Niel​ ​C.​ ​Tupas,​ ​Jr.​ ​ ​simultaneously​ ​sat​ ​in​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​as 
➔ Ultimate​ ​power​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​to​ ​interpret​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​of​ ​an  representatives​ ​of​ ​the​ ​legislature.​ ​Petitioner​ ​questioned​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​of​ ​this 
act​ ​as​ ​implied​ ​under​ ​Sec.​ ​5(2),​ ​Art.​ ​VIII  practice.​ ​The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​held​ ​that​ ​Sec.​ ​8​ ​(1),​ ​Art.​ ​VIII​ ​is​ ​clear​ ​and 
● Can​ ​a​ ​lower​ ​court​ ​declare​ ​an​ ​act​ ​or​ ​law​ ​unconstitutional?  unambiguous.​ ​The​ ​use​ ​of​ ​the​ ​singular​ ​letter​ ​“a”​ ​preceding​ ​“representative​ ​of 
○ Yes.​ ​While​ ​lower​ ​courts​ ​should​ ​observe​ ​a​ ​becoming​ ​modesty​ ​in  Congress”​ ​is​ ​unequivocal​ ​and​ ​leaves​ ​no​ ​room​ ​for​ ​any​ ​other​ ​construction.​​ ​It​ ​is 
examining​ ​constitutional​ ​questions,​ ​they​ ​are​ ​nonetheless​ ​not  indicative​ ​of​ ​what​ ​the​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Constitutional​ ​Commission​ ​had​ ​in​ ​mind, 
prevented​ ​from​ ​resolving​ ​the​ ​same​ ​whenever​ ​warranted,​ ​subject  that​ ​is,​ ​Congress​ ​may​ ​designate​ ​only​ ​one​ ​representative​ ​to​ ​the​ ​JBC.​ ​Had​ ​it​ ​been 
only​ ​to​ ​review​ ​by​ ​the​ ​highest​ ​tribunal.​ ​The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​has  the​ ​intention​ ​that​ ​more​ ​than​ ​one​ ​representative​ ​from​ ​the​ ​legislature​ ​would​ ​sit​ ​in​ ​the 
jurisdiction​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​to​ ​"review,​ ​revise,​ ​reverse,  JBC,​ ​the​ ​Framers​ ​could​ ​have,​ ​in​ ​no​ ​uncertain​ ​terms,​ ​so​ ​provided.​ ​One​ ​of​ ​the 
modify​ ​or​ ​affirm​ ​on​ ​appeal​ ​or​ ​certiorari,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​law​ ​or​ ​rules​ ​of​ ​court  primary​ ​and​ ​basic​ ​rules​ ​in​ ​statutory​ ​construction​ ​is​ ​that​ ​where​ ​the​ ​words​ ​of​ ​a 
may​ ​provide,"​ ​final​ ​judgments​ ​and​ ​orders​ ​of​ ​lower​ ​courts​ ​in,  statute​ ​are​ ​clear,​ ​plain,​ ​and​ ​free​ ​from​ ​ambiguity,​ ​it​ ​must​ ​be​ ​given​ ​its​ ​literal 
among​ ​others,​ ​all​ ​cases​ ​involving​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​of​ ​certain  meaning​ ​and​ ​applied​ ​without​ ​attempted​ ​interpretation. 
measures.​ ​This​ ​simply​ ​means​ ​that​ ​the​ ​resolution​ ​of​ ​such​ ​cases   
may​ ​be​ ​made​ ​in​ ​the​ ​first​ ​instance​ ​by​ ​these​ ​lower​ ​courts​ ​(Ynot​ ​v.  The​ ​respondents​ ​insist​ ​that​ ​owing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bicameral​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​Congress,​ ​the​ ​word 
IAC,​ ​March​ ​20,​ ​1987)  “Congress”​ ​in​ ​Section​ ​8(1),​ ​Article​ ​VIII​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Constitution​ ​should​ ​be​ ​read​ ​as 
○ This​ ​declaration​ ​of​ ​unconstitutionality​ ​is​ ​only​ ​binding​ ​among  including​ ​both​ ​the​ ​Senate​ ​and​ ​the​ ​House​ ​of​ ​Representatives.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​evident​ ​that​ ​the 
the​ ​party-litigants​ ​themselves.  definition​ ​of​ ​“Congress”​ ​as​ ​a​ ​bicameral​ ​body​ ​refers​ ​to​ ​its​ ​primary​ ​function​ ​in 
  government​ ​–​ ​to​ ​legislate.​ ​This,​ ​however,​ ​cannot​ ​be​ ​said​ ​in​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​JBC 
JUDICIAL​ ​AND​ ​BAR​ ​COUNCIL  representation​ ​because​ ​no​ ​liaison​ ​between​ ​the​ ​two​ ​houses​ ​exists​ ​in​ ​the​ ​workings 
Function  of​ ​the​ ​JBC.​ ​Hence,​ ​the​ ​term​ ​“Congress”​ ​must​ ​be​ ​taken​ ​to​ ​mean​ ​the​ ​entire 
➔ To​ ​recommend​ ​to​ ​the​ ​President​ ​appointees​ ​to​ ​the​ ​judiciary​ ​from​ ​a​ ​list​ ​of  legislative​ ​department. 
three​ ​nominees   
➔ Although​ ​an​ ​independent​ ​body,​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​is​ ​under​ ​the​ ​direct​ ​supervision​ ​of  Doctrine​ ​of​ ​operative​ ​fact​:​ ​An​ ​unconstitutional​ ​act​ ​is​ ​not​ ​a​ ​law;​ ​it​ ​confers​ ​no 
the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court  rights;​ ​it​ ​imposes​ ​no​ ​duties;​ ​it​ ​affords​ ​no​ ​protection;​ ​it​ ​creates​ ​no​ ​office;​ ​it​ ​is 
  inoperative​ ​as​ ​if​ ​it​ ​has​ ​not​ ​been​ ​passed​ ​at​ ​all.​ ​This​ ​rule,​ ​however,​ ​is​ ​not​ ​absolute. 
Composition  Under​ ​the​ ​doctrine​ ​of​ ​operative​ ​facts,​ ​actions​ ​previous​ ​to​ ​the​ ​declaration​ ​of 
1. Total​ ​of​ ​seven​ ​(7)​ ​members  unconstitutionality​ ​are​ ​legally​ ​recognized.​ ​They​ ​are​ ​not​ ​nullified.​ ​Under​ ​the 
a. Ex-officio​ ​members  circumstances,​ ​the​ ​Court​ ​finds​ ​the​ ​exception​ ​applicable​ ​in​ ​this​ ​case​ ​and​ ​holds 
i. Chief​ ​Justice​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court;  that​ ​notwithstanding​ ​its​ ​finding​ ​of​ ​unconstitutionality​ ​in​ ​the​ ​current​ ​composition​ ​of 
ii. Secretary​ ​of​ ​Justice;  the​ ​JBC,​ ​all​ ​its​ ​prior​ ​official​ ​actions​ ​are​ ​nonetheless​ ​valid. 

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provided​ ​the​ ​qualifications​ ​of​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​judiciary,​ ​this​ ​does​ ​not​ ​preclude​ ​the 
JARDELEZA​ ​VS.​ ​SERENO  JBC​ ​from​ ​having​ ​its​ ​own​ ​set​ ​of​ ​rules​ ​and​ ​procedures​ ​and​ ​providing​ ​policies​ ​to 
April​ ​14,​ ​2014  effectively​ ​ensure​ ​its​ ​mandate.​ ​The​ ​Constitution​ ​did​ ​not​ ​lay​ ​down​ ​in​ ​precise​ ​terms 
the​ ​process​ ​that​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​shall​ ​follow​ ​in​ ​determining​ ​applicants’​ ​qualifications.​ ​In 
Jardeleza​ ​was​ ​included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​list​ ​of​ ​candidates​ ​to​ ​replace​ ​the​ ​retiring​ ​Justice  carrying​ ​out​ ​its​ ​main​ ​function,​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​has​ ​the​ ​authority​ ​to​ ​set​ ​the 
Abad.​ ​ ​However,​ ​he​ ​was​ ​informed​ ​that​ ​the​ ​Chief​ ​Justice​ ​herself​ ​–​ ​CJ​ ​Sereno,​ ​will  standards/criteria​ ​in​ ​choosing​ ​its​ ​nominees​ ​for​ ​every​ ​vacancy​ ​in​ ​the 
be​ ​invoking​ ​Sec​ ​2,​ ​Rule​ ​10​ ​of​ ​JBC-009​ ​ ​or​ ​the​ ​so-called​ ​“unanimity​ ​rule”​ ​against  judiciary,​ ​subject​ ​only​ ​to​ ​the​ ​minimum​ ​qualifications​ ​required​ ​by​ ​the 
him.​ ​ ​Generally,​ ​the​ ​rule​ ​is​ ​that​ ​an​ ​applicant​ ​is​ ​included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​shortlist​ ​when​ ​s/he  Constitution​ ​and​ ​law​ ​for​ ​every​ ​position. 
obtains​ ​affirmative​ ​vote​ ​of​ ​at​ ​least​ ​a​ ​majority​ ​of​ ​all​ ​the​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​JBC.​ ​ ​When 
 
Section​ ​2,​ ​Rule​ ​10​ ​of​ ​JBC-009,​ ​however,​ ​is​ ​invoked​ ​because​​ ​an​ ​applicant’s 
RULE-MAKING​ ​POWER 
integrity​ ​as​ ​a​ ​persona​ ​and​ ​as​ ​a​ ​professional​ ​ ​is​ ​challenged,​ ​a​ ​unanimous​ ​vote 
 
is​ ​required.​ ​In​ ​a​ ​letter-petition,​ ​Jardeleza​ ​asked​ ​the​ ​SC​ ​to​ ​exercise​ ​its​ ​supervisory 
The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​can​ ​promulgate​ ​rules​ ​concerning: 
power​ ​and​ ​direct​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​to​ ​give​ ​him​ ​a​ ​written​ ​notice​ ​and​ ​sworn​ ​written 
1. The​ ​protection​ ​and​ ​enforcement​ ​of​ ​constitutional​ ​rights; 
statements​ ​of​ ​his​ ​oppositors​ ​or​ ​any​ ​documents​ ​in​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​hearings,​ ​and​ ​to 
2. Pleading,​ ​practice,​ ​and​ ​procedure​ ​in​ ​all​ ​courts; 
disallow​ ​CJ​ ​Sereno​ ​from​ ​participating​ ​in​ ​the​ ​voting​ ​process​ ​for​ ​nominees​ ​on​ ​June 
3. Admission​ ​to​ ​the​ ​practice​ ​of​ ​law; 
30,​ ​2014.​ ​During​ ​the​ ​June​ ​30,​ ​2014​ ​meeting​ ​of​ ​the​ ​JBC,​ ​Justice​ ​Carpio​ ​appeared 
4. The​ ​Integrated​ ​Bar;  
and​ ​disclosed​ ​a​ ​confidential​ ​information​ ​which,​ ​to​ ​CJ​ ​Sereno,​ ​characterized 
5. Legal​ ​assistance​ ​to​ ​the​ ​underprivileged; 
Jardeleza’s​ ​integrity​ ​as​ ​dubious.​ ​ ​Jardeleza​ ​demanded​ ​that​ ​CJ​ ​Sereno​ ​execute​ ​a 
6. kjjk 
sworn​ ​statement​ ​specifying​ ​her​ ​objections​ ​and​ ​that​ ​he​ ​be​ ​afforded​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to 
Limitations​ ​on​ ​the​ ​SC’s​ ​rulemaking​ ​power: 
cross-examine​ ​her​ ​in​ ​a​ ​public​ ​hearing.​ ​He​ ​also​ ​requested​ ​deferment​ ​of​ ​the​ ​JBC 
1. Shall​ ​be​ ​simplified​ ​and​ ​inexpensive​ ​procedure​ ​for​ ​the​ ​speedy​ ​disposition​ ​of 
proceedings,​ ​as​ ​the​ ​SC​ ​en​ ​banc​ ​has​ ​yet​ ​to​ ​decide​ ​in​ ​his​ ​letter-petition.​ ​However, 
cases; 
the​ ​JBC​ ​continued​ ​its​ ​deliberations​ ​and​ ​proceeded​ ​to​ ​vote​ ​for​ ​the​ ​nominees​ ​to​ ​be 
2. Shall​ ​be​ ​uniform​ ​for​ ​all​ ​courts​ ​of​ ​the​ ​same​ ​grade;​ ​and  
included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​shortlist.​ ​Thereafter,​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​released​ ​the​ ​shortlist​ ​of​ ​4​ ​nominees. 
3. Shall​ ​not​ ​diminish,​ ​increase,​ ​or​ ​modify​ ​substantive​ ​rights 
It​ ​was​ ​revealed​ ​later​ ​that​ ​there​ ​were​ ​actually​ ​5​ ​nominees​ ​who​ ​made​ ​it​ ​to​ ​the​ ​JBC 
 
shortlist,​ ​but​ ​1​ ​nominee​ ​could​ ​not​ ​be​ ​included​ ​because​ ​of​ ​the​ ​invocation​ ​of​ ​the 
“unanimity​ ​rule”.   ESTIPONA​ ​JR.​ ​VS.​ ​PEOPLE 
  August​ ​15,​ ​2017 
The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​held​ ​that​​ ​even​ ​before​ ​the​ ​JBC,​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​due​ ​process 
may​ ​be​ ​invoked.​​ ​ ​While​ ​it​ ​is​ ​true​ ​that​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​proceedings​ ​are​ ​sui​ ​generis,​ ​it​ ​does  Section​ ​23​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Comprehensive​ ​Dangerous​ ​Drugs​ ​Act​ ​or​ ​RA​ ​9165​ ​prohibits​ ​plea 
not​ ​mean​ ​that​ ​an​ ​applicant’s​ ​access​ ​to​ ​the​ ​rights​ ​afforded​ ​under​ ​the​ ​due​ ​process  bargaining​ ​in​ ​all​ ​violations​ ​of​ ​said​ ​law.​ ​Estipona​ ​Jr.​ ​questioned​ ​the​ ​constitutionality 
clause​ ​is​ ​discretionary​ ​on​ ​the​ ​part​ ​of​ ​JBC.​ ​Notwithstanding​ ​being​ ​“a​ ​class​ ​of​ ​its  of​ ​Sec.​ ​23.​ ​The​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​invalidated​ ​such​ ​provision,​ ​holding​ ​that​ ​it​ ​violates 
own,”​ ​the​ ​right​ ​to​ ​be​ ​heard​ ​and​ ​to​ ​explain​ ​one’s​ ​self​ ​is​ ​availing.​​ ​This​ ​holding​ ​is  the​ ​equal​ ​protection​ ​clause,​ ​because​ ​other​ ​heinous​ ​crimes​ ​are​ ​subject​ ​to​ ​plea 
not​ ​an​ ​encroachment​ ​on​ ​its​ ​discretion​ ​in​ ​the​ ​nomination​ ​process.​ ​Actually,​ ​its  bargaining​ ​while​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​RA​ ​9165​ ​is​ ​not.​ ​Moreover,​ ​the​ ​rule-making 
adherence​ ​to​ ​the​ ​precepts​ ​of​ ​due​ ​process​ ​supports​ ​and​ ​enriches​ ​the​ ​exercise​ ​of  authority​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​under​ ​Section​ ​5​ ​(5),​ ​Article​ ​VIII​ ​of​ ​the​ ​1987 
its​ ​discretion.​ ​When​ ​an​ ​applicant,​ ​who​ ​vehemently​ ​denies​ ​the​ ​truth​ ​of​ ​the  Constitution​ ​is​ ​also​ ​violated​ ​by​ ​the​ ​subject​ ​provision.​ ​Only​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​can 
objections,​ ​is​ ​afforded​ ​the​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​protest,​ ​the​ ​JBC​ ​is​ ​presented​ ​with​ ​a​ ​clearer  impose​ ​rules​ ​on​ ​procedure,​ ​not​ ​the​ ​legislature.  
understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​situation​ ​it​ ​faces,​ ​thereby​ ​guarding​ ​the​ ​body​ ​from​ ​making​ ​an 
unsound​ ​and​ ​capricious​ ​assessment​ ​of​ ​information​ ​brought​ ​before​ ​it.   
JUDICIAL​ ​CLEMENCY 
   
VILLANUEVA​ ​VS.​ ​JUDICIAL​ ​AND​ ​BAR​ ​COUNCIL  CONCERNED​ ​LAWYERS​ ​OF​ ​BULACAN​ ​VS.​ ​JUDGE​ ​VILLALON-PORNILLOS 
April​ ​7,​ ​2015  February​ ​14,​ ​2017 

After​ ​about​ ​a​ ​year​ ​from​ ​being​ ​appointed​ ​as​ ​a​ ​MCTC​ ​judge,​ ​Judge​ ​Villanueva  In​ ​2009,​ ​the​ ​Court​ ​dismissed​ ​Judge​ ​Pornillos​ ​from​ ​service,​ ​after​ ​having​ ​been 
applied​ ​for​ ​the​ ​vacant​ ​position​ ​of​ ​presiding​ ​judge​ ​in​ ​some​ ​RTC​ ​branches.​ ​ ​The  found​ ​guilty​ ​of​ ​gross​ ​misconduct,​ ​i.e.,​ ​borrowing​ ​money​ ​from​ ​a​ ​lawyer​ ​in​ ​a​ ​case 
JBC​ ​however​ ​informed​ ​him​ ​that​ ​he​ ​was​ ​not​ ​included​ ​in​ ​the​ ​list​ ​of​ ​candidates​ ​for  pending​ ​before​ ​her​ ​court,​ ​aggravated​ ​by​ ​undue​ ​delay​ ​in​ ​rendering​ ​decisions​ ​or 
such​ ​position​ ​because​ ​the​ ​JBC’s​ ​long-standing​ ​policy​ ​requires​ ​5​ ​years​ ​of​ ​service  orders,​ ​and​ ​violation​ ​of​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​rules,​ ​directives,​ ​and​ ​circulars.​ ​In​ ​2016, 
as​ ​judge​ ​of​ ​first-level​ ​courts​ ​before​ ​one​ ​can​ ​apply​ ​as​ ​judge​ ​for​ ​second-level  she​ ​applied​ ​for​ ​judicial​ ​clemency.​ ​Judicial​ ​clemency​ ​is​ ​an​ ​act​ ​of​ ​mercy 
courts.​ ​Judge​ ​Villanueva​ ​assailed​ ​the​ ​constitutionality​ ​of​ ​this​ ​policy.​ ​The​ ​Supreme  removing​ ​any​ ​disqualification​ ​from​ ​the​ ​erring​ ​judge.​​ ​It​ ​can​ ​be​ ​granted​ ​only​ ​if 
Court​ ​held​ ​that​ ​this​ ​policy​ ​requirement​ ​is​ ​valid.​ ​While​ ​the​ ​1987​ ​Constitution​ ​has 

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 there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​showing​ ​that​ ​it​ ​is​ ​merited;​ ​thus,​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​reformation​ ​and​ ​a​ ​showing 
of​ ​potential​ ​and​ ​promise​ ​are​ ​indispensable.  
 
In​ ​this​ ​case,​ ​records​ ​are​ ​bereft​ ​of​ ​bowing​ ​that​ ​respondent​ ​has​ ​exhibited​ ​remorse 
for​ ​her​ ​past​ ​misdeeds,​ ​which​ ​occurred​ ​more​ ​than​ ​eight​ ​(8)​ ​years​ ​ago.​ ​Apart​ ​from 
respondent's​ ​submission​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Court's​ ​disciplinary​ ​authority,​ ​there​ ​were​ ​no​ ​signs 
of​ ​repentance​ ​showing​ ​that​ ​at​ ​the​ ​very​ ​least,​ ​she​ ​accepted​ ​the​ ​judgment​ ​of​ ​the 
Court​ ​in​ ​her​ ​case.​ ​In​ ​fact,​ ​she​ ​even​ ​sees​ ​nothing​ ​wrong​ ​with​ ​her​ ​actions.  
 
Requirements​ ​for​ ​grant​ ​of​ ​judicial​ ​clemency: 
1. There​ ​must​ ​be​ ​proof​ ​of​ ​remorse​ ​and​ ​reformation.​ ​These​ ​shall​ ​include​ ​but 
should​ ​not​ ​be​ ​limited​ ​to​ ​certifications​ ​or​ ​testimonials​ ​of​ ​the​ ​officer(s)​ ​or 
chapter(s)​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Integrated​ ​Bar​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Philippines,​ ​judges​ ​or​ ​judges 
associations​ ​and​ ​prominent​ ​members​ ​of​ ​the​ ​community​ ​with​ ​proven 
integrity​ ​and​ ​probity.​ ​A​ ​subsequent​ ​finding​ ​of​ ​guilt​ ​in​ ​an​ ​administrative 
case​ ​for​ ​the​ ​same​ ​or​ ​similar​ ​misconduct​ ​will​ ​give​ ​rise​ ​to​ ​a​ ​strong 
presumption​ ​of​ ​non-reformation; 
2. Sufficient​ ​time​ ​must​ ​have​ ​lapsed​ ​from​ ​the​ ​imposition​ ​of​ ​the​ ​penalty​ ​to 
ensure​ ​a​ ​period​ ​of​ ​reformation; 
3. The​ ​age​ ​of​ ​the​ ​person​ ​asking​ ​for​ ​clemency​ ​must​ ​show​ ​that​ ​he​ ​still​ ​has 
productive​ ​years​ ​ahead​ ​of​ ​him​ ​that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​put​ ​to​ ​good​ ​use​ ​by​ ​giving​ ​him 
a​ ​chance​ ​to​ ​redeem​ ​himself; 
4. There​ ​must​ ​be​ ​a​ ​showing​ ​of​ ​promise​ ​(such​ ​as​ ​intellectual​ ​aptitude, 
learning​ ​or​ ​legal​ ​acumen​ ​or​ ​contribution​ ​to​ ​legal​ ​scholarship​ ​and​ ​the 
development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​legal​ ​system​ ​or​ ​administrative​ ​and​ ​other​ ​relevant 
skills),​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​potential​ ​for​ ​public​ ​service; 
5. There​ ​must​ ​be​ ​other​ ​relevant​ ​factors​ ​and​ ​circumstances​ ​that​ ​may​ ​justify 
clemency. 
 
● A​ ​presidential​ ​pardon​ ​will​ ​not​ ​automatically​ ​reinstate​ ​an​ ​expelled​ ​judge​ ​to 
his/her​ ​former​ ​position.​ ​Reinstatement​ ​will​ ​require​ ​judicial​ ​clemency​. 
Presidential​ ​pardon/clemency​ ​is​ ​different​ ​from​ ​judicial​ ​clemency.​ ​To 
automatically​ ​reinstate​ ​a​ ​pardoned​ ​judge​ ​will​ ​violate​ ​separation​ ​of​ ​powers.​ ​It 
is​ ​the​ ​sole​ ​prerogative​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Supreme​ ​Court​ ​to​ ​readmit​ ​disbarred​ ​lawyers 
or​ ​reinstate​ ​dismissed​ ​judges.  

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