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Court Profile

HistoryVisionMissionThe Seal of the Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals HymnThe Philippine Judiciary HymnFunctions of Organizational Units

HistoryOrganized on February 1, 1936, the Court of Appeals was initially composed of a Presiding Judge and 10Appellate Judges appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission Appointments of theNational Assembly.

It had exclusive appellate jurisdiction of all cases not falling under the original and exclusive appellatejurisdiction of the 7-man Supreme Court. Its decisions in those cases were final, except when the SupremeCourt upon petition for certiorari on questions of law required that the case be certified to it for review. It

had also original jurisdiction to issue writs of mandamus, prohibition, injunction, certiorari, habeas corpusand all other auxiliary writs in aid of its appellate jurisdiction. The Court then sat either en banc or in twodivisions, one of 6 and another of 5 Judges. The appellate Judges had the same qualifications as thoseprovided by the Constitution for Supreme Court Justices.

In March, 1938, the appellate Judges were named Justices and their number increased from 11 to 15, withthree divisions of 5 under Commonwealth Act No. 259. On December 24, 1941, the membership of theCourt was further increased to 19 Justices under Executive Order No. 395.

The Court functioned during the Japanese occupation, 1941-44. But in March 1945, due to abnormalconditions at the time, the Court was abolished by President Sergio Osmena through Executive Order No.37. The end of World War II restored the democratic processes in the country. On October 4, 1946, Republic

Act No. 52 was passed recreating the Court with a Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices.They composed 5 divisions of 3 Justices each.

On August 23, 1956, the Court membership was expanded to 18 Justices per Republic Act No. 1605. Thenumber was hiked to 24 Justices as decreed by Republic Act No. 5204 approved on June 15, 1968. Tenyears later, the unabated swelling of its dockets called for a much bigger Court of 45 Justices underPresidential Decree No. 1482 of June 10, 1978. Then came the Judiciary Reorganization on January 17,1983 through Executive Order No. 864 of President Marcos. The Court was renamed Intermediate AppellateCourt and its membership enlarged to 51 Justices. However, only thirty-seven (37) Justices wereappointed.

On July 28, 1986, President Aquino issued Executive Order No.33 restoring the original name of the Court ofAppeals with a Presiding Justice and fifty (50) Associate Justices.

On February 23, 1995, R.A. No. 7902 was passed expanding the jurisdiction of the Court effective March 18,1995. On December 30, 1996, R.A. No. 8246 created six (6) more divisions in the Court, therebyincreasing its membership from 51 to 69 Justices. However, these additional divisions - 3 for Visayas and 3

for Mindanao -remain unfunded and unorganized.

The Court of Appeals now reviews not only the decisions and orders of the Regional Trial Courts nationwidebut also those of the Court of Tax Appeals, as well as the awards, judgments, final orders or resolutions of,

or authorized by 21 Quasi-Judicial Agencies exercising quasi-judicial functions mentioned in Rule 43 of the1997 Rules of Civil Procedure, plus the National Amnesty Commission (Pres. Proclamation No. 347 of 1994)and Office of the Ombudsman (Fabian v. Desierto, 295 SCRA 470). Added to the formidable list are the

decisions and resolutions of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) which are now initiallyreviewable by this court, instead of a direct recourse to the Supreme Court, via petition for certiorari under

Rule 65 (St. Martin Funeral Homes v. NLRC, 295 SCRA 414). The only remaining government agenciesexercising quasi-judicial functions, whose decisions and final resolutions are directly appealable to the

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Supreme Court are the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Commission on Audit (COA).

In its 65 years of experience, the Court of Appeals has had two hundred eighty-one (281) justices withforty-seven (47) Presiding Justices. Sixty-eight (68) were promoted to the Supreme Court and six (6) ofthem became Chief Justice, namely: Manuel Moran, Ricardo Paras, Cesar Bengzon, Roberto Concepcion,Querube Makalintal and Fred Ruiz Castro.

The first lady justice of the Supreme Court, Cecilia Munoz Palma, who eventually chaired the 1986Constitutional Commission came from the Court of Appeals. There were also members of this court whojoined the legislative and executive branches of the government, constitutional bodies and the lawacademe. This validates the common observation that the biggest collegiate and second highest court ofthe land is not only a logical springboard to the High Court but also a rich resource of talents harnessed in

other sensitive posts outside the Judiciary.

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Vision

A Court where JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE is a Daily Reality.

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Mission(1) To enhance the public trust by disposing of cases justly, speedily, and impartially.

(2) To employ computerized and automated innovations and re-engineer administrative and operational

systems.

(3) To uplift the professional and moral standards of Court officials and employees.

(4) To provide magistrates an environment conducive to the faithful discharge of their judicial tasks.

(5) To uphold the Rule of Law by fairly and fearlessly defending the Constitution and the rights of thepeople.

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The Seal ofthe CourtofAppeals

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The seal of the Court of Appeals is composed of two ovals with the following elements: at the center of theinner oval, the 1946 coat of arms of the Republic in its center, the scales of justice and sword on the upper

background; and a branch of laurel on each side of the foot of the coat of arms; whereas, the garlands"Republic of the Philippines" surround the upper arch of the outer oval and "Court of Appeals" on the lowerarch. Below the oval is the Court's motto,justitia per legem.

Each element of the seal symbolizes the Court's ideals and patriotism. Symbolically, the 1946 coat of arms

of the Republic depicts the country's history. The upper portion of the coat of arms represents the

independence of the Republic from colonization, the eight-rayed sun representing the eight provinces placedunder martial law by Governor General Ramon Blanco during the Philippine Revolution and the five-pointedstars presenting the three geographic regions of the country, i.e. Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Toemphasize the independence of the Republic, the sun and stars have a white background symbolizing peaceand purity. In contrast, the lower portion of the coat of arms represents the colonial history of the Republic,symbolized by Lion-Rampant of Spain on the right against red background representing courage and braveryand the Bald-Eagle of the United States on the left against blue background for noble ideas. The scales ofjustice, adopted form the scales carried by the Roman goddess of justice, Justitia, represents the Court'sidealism of fair and equal administration of the law without influence. The sword, on the other hand, alsoadopted and carried by Justitia, personifies the Court's power to punish offenders of the law. With thebranches of laurel, representing joy, the scales and sword of justice emphasize the Court's victory in thebattle against the offenders of the law and the swift administration of justice without corruption, greed,prejudice or avarice. To guide the Court's action towards such idealism,justitia per legem, literallytranslated as "justice through law," has been adopted as its motto.

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CourtofAppealsHymnWords and Music

byJustice Jesus M. Elbinias

(December 01, 1998)

The Court of Appeals

So stately its sealProclaims justice is for all.The Court of AppealsWith courage and zealFulfills its judicial call.

We rule conscience freeWith sound equityDispense justice swift and real.

The law will prevailIn this citadel

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The steadfast Court of Appeals.

Refrain:

Ring out the bells for justiceBeat drums and trumpet pealsLet all the world take notice

We hail the Court of Appeals.

Our sight set afarAt justice -- our starTo guide us in our ideals.

If God so commandsWe march flag in handFor country and Court of Appeals.(Repeat the Refrain and last stanza)

If God so commandsWe march flag in handFor country and Court of Appeals.

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The Philippine JudiciaryHymnWords and Music

byJustice Jesus M. Elbinias

The Philippine Judiciary was born of libertyA bulwark of democracy enshrined in historyThe annals of our nation trace our rightful lofty placeOur institution is ablaze with glory, light and praise.

We pledge our all, our heart and soulTo seal our loyaltyWe march as one, our task be done in constant unity.

The Philippine Judiciary endowed with majestyWith justice, law and equity pursues its destinyOur voices rise in harmony to hail triumphantlyThe honor, faith and legacy of our judiciary.

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