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Total Categories: 6
The Supreme Court of the Philippines was established on June 11, 1901, by the Taft Commission through Act No. 136.
Answer: True
The Supreme Court of the Philippines was established on June 11, 1901, by the Taft Commission through Act No. 136, which also led to the abolition of the Real Audiencia of Manila.
Before Spanish colonization, the Philippines had a unified judicial system headed by a central high court.
Answer: False
Prior to Spanish colonization, the Philippines consisted of independent barangays, each with its own datu exercising judicial functions. There was no unified national judicial system.
During the pre-Hispanic era, the 'datu' held executive, legislative, and judicial powers within their respective barangays.
Answer: True
In the pre-Hispanic era, the datu served as the chief executive, legislator, and judge within their barangay, resolving disputes and issuing decrees.
The royal decree of August 14, 1569, appointed Miguel López de Legazpi solely as the chief justice of the Philippines.
Answer: False
The royal decree of August 14, 1569, appointed Miguel López de Legazpi as Governor and Captain-General, empowering him to administer both civil and criminal justice, consolidating judicial authority in his person, but not solely as chief justice.
The first 'real audiencia' in the Philippines, the Real Audiencia of Manila, was established in 1583 to ensure justice and good governance.
Answer: True
The Real Audiencia of Manila, the first 'real audiencia' in the Philippines, was established by royal decree on May 5, 1583, with the primary purpose of ensuring good governance and administering justice.
The Real Audiencia of Manila primarily exercised jurisdiction over the island of Luzon only.
Answer: False
The Real Audiencia of Manila exercised jurisdiction over Luzon and the rest of the archipelago, not exclusively Luzon.
Royal decrees concerning the protection of native Filipinos were consistently and effectively implemented by Spanish colonial officials.
Answer: False
Bishop Domingo de Salazar noted in 1583 that Spanish colonial decrees intended to protect native Filipinos were frequently disregarded by officials, leading to injustice.
The reorganization in 1776 expanded the Real Audiencia of Manila to include a president, a regent, five 'oidores,' and two assistant prosecuting attorneys.
Answer: True
A royal order in 1776 reorganized the Real Audiencia of Manila, expanding its composition to include a president, a regent, five 'oidores,' and two assistant prosecuting attorneys, among other officials.
Following the American occupation in 1898, civil courts immediately resumed full functions under Philippine supervision.
Answer: False
After the American occupation in 1898, territorial audiencias ceased functioning, and civil jurisdiction was suspended. Civil courts resumed under American military supervision, not immediately under full Philippine supervision.
The Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands began operating under General Order No. 40 in May 1899.
Answer: True
The Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands was reestablished and began operating under General Order No. 40 in May 1899.
Chief Justice José Abad Santos was executed by Japanese troops in May 1942 for refusing to collaborate.
Answer: True
Chief Justice José Abad Santos was executed by Japanese troops in May 1942 for refusing to collaborate with the Japanese military government.
The 1946 Treaty of Manila granted the US Supreme Court indefinite appellate jurisdiction over Philippine cases.
Answer: False
The 1946 Treaty of Manila allowed the US Supreme Court to review only cases pending at the time of Philippine independence; its appellate jurisdiction was not indefinite.
Which legislative act led to the establishment of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on June 11, 1901?
Answer: Act No. 136
The Supreme Court of the Philippines was established on June 11, 1901, by the Taft Commission through the enactment of Act No. 136.
What was the judicial structure in the Philippines before Spanish colonization?
Answer: Independent barangays headed by datus exercising judicial functions.
Before Spanish colonization, the Philippines comprised independent barangays, each led by a datu who exercised judicial functions within their community.
What was the purpose of the Real Audiencia of Manila, established in 1583?
Answer: To ensure good governance and administer justice.
The Real Audiencia of Manila was established in 1583 with the primary purpose of ensuring good governance and administering justice throughout the islands.
According to Bishop Domingo de Salazar's 1583 letter, how were Spanish colonial decrees regarding justice often treated?
Answer: They were frequently disregarded by officials, leading to injustice.
Bishop Domingo de Salazar noted in 1583 that Spanish colonial decrees concerning justice were often disregarded by officials, resulting in oppression and injustice.
What significant change occurred to the Real Audiencia's presidency by the royal decree of July 4, 1861?
Answer: The Governor-General was removed as president, and the court became purely judicial.
The royal decree of July 4, 1861, removed the governor-general as president of the Real Audiencia and transformed the court into a purely judicial body.
How did the American occupation starting in 1898 initially affect the Philippine judicial system?
Answer: Territorial audiencias ceased functioning, and civil jurisdiction was suspended.
Following the American occupation in 1898, territorial audiencias ceased functioning, and the civil jurisdiction of the Real Audiencia of Manila was suspended until civil courts could resume under American military supervision.
Why was Chief Justice José Abad Santos executed during the Japanese occupation?
Answer: For refusing to collaborate with the Japanese military government.
Chief Justice José Abad Santos was executed by Japanese troops in May 1942 because he refused to collaborate with the Japanese military government.
What did Article V of the 1946 Treaty of Manila stipulate regarding the US Supreme Court's jurisdiction?
Answer: It allowed the US Supreme Court to review only cases pending at the time of independence, after which its power would cease.
Article V of the 1946 Treaty of Manila stipulated that the US Supreme Court would review pending Philippine cases until their disposition, after which its appellate jurisdiction over Philippine cases would cease.
The 1935 Constitution reduced the Supreme Court's membership to seven justices and removed the judiciary's independence.
Answer: False
The 1935 Constitution increased the Supreme Court's membership to eleven justices and enshrined the independence of the judiciary, rather than removing it.
The 1973 Constitution increased the Supreme Court's membership to fifteen justices and gave it administrative supervision over lower courts.
Answer: True
The 1973 Constitution increased the Supreme Court's membership to fifteen justices and granted it administrative supervision over all lower courts.
The martial law period did not raise any significant legal questions concerning the Supreme Court's powers or the constitutionality of government actions.
Answer: False
The martial law period raised significant legal questions regarding the constitutionality of the 1973 Constitution's ratification, President Marcos's assumption of authority, and the Court's power to review the factual basis for martial law declarations.
The 1987 Constitution expanded the Supreme Court's judicial power to include determining grave abuse of discretion by any government branch.
Answer: True
The 1987 Constitution expanded the Supreme Court's judicial power to determine if any government branch or instrumentality has committed grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.
What key aspect of the judiciary did the 1935 Constitution enshrine?
Answer: The independence of the judiciary.
The 1935 Constitution enshrined the independence of the judiciary, along with establishing security of tenure for its members and vesting the power to promulgate rules on court procedures in the Supreme Court.
Under the 1973 Constitution, who was solely responsible for appointing Supreme Court justices?
Answer: The President
The 1973 Constitution stipulated that the President alone was responsible for appointing Supreme Court justices.
What significant legal questions arose concerning the Supreme Court during the martial law period?
Answer: The Court's power to review the factual basis for martial law declarations.
The martial law period raised significant legal questions, including the Supreme Court's authority to review the factual basis for declarations of martial law.
The 1987 Constitution expanded the Supreme Court's judicial power to include determining what concerning government actions?
Answer: Grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction.
The 1987 Constitution expanded the Supreme Court's judicial power to include determining whether there has been grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction by any government branch or instrumentality.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is known in Filipino as 'Mababang Hukuman' and functions as the highest judicial body in the country.
Answer: False
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is officially known in Filipino as 'Kataas-taasang Hukuman,' not 'Mababang Hukuman.' 'Mababang Hukuman' typically refers to lower courts.
The Judicial and Bar Council is responsible for appointing Supreme Court justices directly.
Answer: False
The Judicial and Bar Council recommends nominees for judicial vacancies; it does not directly appoint justices. The President makes the appointment from these recommendations.
The current Supreme Court of the Philippines consists of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices.
Answer: True
As stipulated by the 1987 Constitution, the Supreme Court of the Philippines is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices.
Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President after confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
Answer: False
Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President from a list prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, and this process does not require confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
The mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices is 70 years.
Answer: True
Supreme Court Justices are required to retire upon reaching the mandatory age of seventy years.
Alexander Gesmundo is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, appointed on April 5, 2021.
Answer: True
Alexander Gesmundo is the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, having been appointed on April 5, 2021.
Marvic Leonen is the longest-serving justice currently on the Supreme Court, having joined on November 12, 2012.
Answer: True
As of the provided data reference date, Marvic Leonen is the longest-serving justice currently on the Supreme Court, having joined on November 12, 2012.
Raul Villanueva is the most recent justice appointed to the Supreme Court, beginning tenure on June 9, 2025.
Answer: True
Raul Villanueva is identified as the most recent justice appointed to the Supreme Court, with a tenure beginning on June 9, 2025.
What is the official Filipino name for the Supreme Court of the Philippines?
Answer: Kataas-taasang Hukuman
The official Filipino name for the Supreme Court of the Philippines is 'Kataas-taasang Hukuman'.
What is the primary role of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC)?
Answer: To recommend nominees for judicial vacancies to the President.
The primary role of the Judicial and Bar Council is to recommend qualified nominees for judicial vacancies to the President.
How are Supreme Court justices appointed, according to the source?
Answer: By the President from a list prepared by the JBC, without confirmation.
Supreme Court justices are appointed by the President from a list of nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, and this appointment does not require confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
What is the mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices?
Answer: 70 years
The mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices is seventy years.
The Supreme Court's functions are divided into judicial and administrative categories.
Answer: True
The powers of the Supreme Court are categorized into judicial functions, which involve adjudicating cases, and administrative functions, which pertain to the supervision and control over the judiciary.
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review allows it to review the constitutionality of laws but not presidential decrees.
Answer: False
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review extends to examining the constitutionality of laws, presidential decrees, and other government actions.
Cases affecting ambassadors and petitions for certiorari fall under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction.
Answer: True
The Supreme Court's original jurisdiction includes cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and petitions for writs such as certiorari, prohibition, and mandamus.
The Supreme Court always hears petitions for certiorari directly, regardless of whether they could have been filed with lower courts.
Answer: False
While the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over certiorari petitions, it may assign them to lower courts and may refuse to hear cases that should have been filed with a lower court first.
Appeals are the most common way for cases to reach the Supreme Court, typically reviewed for errors of fact.
Answer: False
Appeals are the most common route to the Supreme Court, but they are typically reviewed for errors of law, not errors of fact, although exceptions exist.
The Supreme Court has the exclusive power to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts.
Answer: True
The Supreme Court holds the exclusive power to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, as well as rules for admission to the bar and legal assistance.
The Writ of Amparo was approved by the Supreme Court in 2007 to protect individuals and grant families access to case information.
Answer: True
The Writ of Amparo was approved by the Supreme Court on September 25, 2007, to protect individuals and grant families access to case information.
The Writ of Habeas Data allows individuals to discover, rectify, or destroy information held about them.
Answer: True
The Writ of Habeas Data enables individuals to discover, rectify, or destroy information held about them, protecting their right to privacy.
The Supreme Court exclusively sits 'en banc' for all cases, including routine appeals.
Answer: False
The Supreme Court can sit either 'en banc' or in divisions. Routine appeals are typically heard by divisions, while certain cases, like those involving the constitutionality of treaties, must be heard en banc.
Cases involving the constitutionality of treaties must be heard by the Supreme Court en banc.
Answer: True
The Constitution mandates that cases involving the constitutionality of treaties, international or executive agreements, and presidential decrees must be heard by the Supreme Court en banc.
'Grave abuse of discretion' refers to a minor error in judgment by a government official.
Answer: False
'Grave abuse of discretion' signifies a capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment amounting to a lack of jurisdiction, which is a significant standard, not a minor error.
Which of the following is NOT considered one of the two main categories of functions performed by the Supreme Court?
Answer: Legislative functions
The Supreme Court's powers are divided into judicial and administrative functions. While it promulgates rules for bar admission (a regulatory aspect), it does not perform legislative functions.
Which of the following falls under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction?
Answer: Petitions for prohibition.
Petitions for prohibition, along with cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers and consuls, fall under the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction.
How does the Supreme Court typically handle appeals?
Answer: Primarily based on errors of law, generally not re-examining facts.
The Supreme Court typically handles appeals by reviewing errors of law and generally does not re-examine findings of fact made by lower courts, although exceptions exist.
What is the purpose of the Writ of Amparo, approved in 2007?
Answer: To protect individuals and grant families access to case information.
The Writ of Amparo, approved in 2007, serves to protect individuals and provide families of victims with access to case information.
The Supreme Court is authorized to sit in which configurations?
Answer: En banc or in divisions of three, five, or seven members.
The Supreme Court is authorized to sit either en banc (as a full court) or in divisions comprising three, five, or seven members.
What types of cases are mandatorily heard by the Supreme Court en banc?
Answer: Cases involving the constitutionality of treaties and presidential decrees.
Cases concerning the constitutionality of treaties, international agreements, and presidential decrees are mandatorily heard by the Supreme Court en banc.
What does the phrase 'grave abuse of discretion' signify in the context of the Supreme Court's review powers?
Answer: A capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment amounting to a lack of jurisdiction.
'Grave abuse of discretion' signifies a capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment that amounts to a lack of jurisdiction, representing a significant departure from proper legal standards.
The *Oposa v. Factoran* (1993) case established the doctrine of intergenerational responsibility concerning the environment.
Answer: True
The Supreme Court's decision in *Oposa v. Factoran* (1993) is significant for establishing the doctrine of intergenerational responsibility regarding environmental protection within the Philippine legal framework.
In *Republic v. Sereno* (2018), the Supreme Court ruled on the removal of an impeachable official through a quo warranto petition.
Answer: True
The case of *Republic v. Sereno* (2018) involved the Supreme Court ruling on the removal of an impeachable official, Maria Lourdes Sereno, via a quo warranto petition.
The *Krivenko v. Register of Deeds* (1947) decision allowed foreigners to acquire agricultural lands in the Philippines.
Answer: False
The 1947 decision in *Krivenko v. Register of Deeds* prohibited foreigners from acquiring agricultural and residential lands in the Philippines, reinforcing constitutional restrictions on land ownership.
The Supreme Court ruled in *People v. Hernandez* (1956) that rebellion should be charged as a complex crime.
Answer: False
In *People v. Hernandez* (1956), the Supreme Court ruled that rebellion should be charged as a single offense, not as a complex crime.
The decision in *People v. Hernandez* (1956) established what principle regarding charges of rebellion?
Answer: Rebellion should be charged as a single offense.
The Supreme Court ruled in *People v. Hernandez* (1956) that rebellion should be charged as a single offense, rather than as a complex crime.
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is currently located in Quezon City.
Answer: False
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is currently located at the Supreme Court Main Building on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila, not Quezon City.
The phrase 'hear ye' is used by the Philippine Supreme Court as an adaptation of the US Supreme Court's 'oyez' announcement.
Answer: True
The phrase 'hear ye' is used in the Philippine Supreme Court's session opening announcement as a familiar adaptation of the archaic Law French term 'oyez,' which is used by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Social Weather Stations surveys indicated that a majority of lawyers believed many judges were corrupt.
Answer: False
Social Weather Stations surveys indicated that about a quarter of lawyers believed many judges were corrupt, not a majority. Judges themselves reported lower perceptions of widespread corruption.
A 2008 PERC survey ranked the Philippines' judicial system as the least corrupt in Asia.
Answer: False
A 2008 PERC survey ranked the Philippines sixth among Asian judicial systems in terms of perceived corruption, indicating a negative perception, not the least corrupt.
The 'Bantay Korte Suprema' coalition aimed to ensure the fair selection of Associate Justices.
Answer: True
The 'Bantay Korte Suprema' coalition was established with the objective of ensuring the fair and honest selection process for Associate Justices to the Supreme Court.
The 'One-stop shop' initiative aims to streamline services by consolidating various Supreme Court offices.
Answer: True
The 'One-stop shop' initiative, launched by the SC Public Information Office, consolidates various offices, such as Judicial Records and the Office of the Bar Confidant, to streamline services for the public.
The 'REAL Justice' program uses mobile courts in buses to improve access to legal services.
Answer: True
The 'REAL Justice' program utilizes retrofitted buses as mobile courts to enhance access to legal services, particularly in remote areas.
The Supreme Court has held summer sessions in Baguio since 1948.
Answer: True
Since 1948, the Supreme Court has customarily held its summer sessions in Baguio throughout the month of April.
The four pillars on the Supreme Court building facade represent the four levels of the judiciary.
Answer: True
The four pillars adorning the facade of the Supreme Court's main building symbolize the four hierarchical levels of the judiciary in the Philippines.
The anthem of the Supreme Court was composed by the current Chief Justice, Alexander Gesmundo.
Answer: False
The anthem of the Supreme Court was composed by Jesus Elbinias, a retired Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeals, not the current Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.
Where is the Supreme Court of the Philippines currently located?
Answer: Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila
The Supreme Court of the Philippines is currently located at its Main Building on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila.
The phrase 'hear ye' used in the Supreme Court's session opening is an adaptation of which term used by the US Supreme Court?
Answer: Oyez
The phrase 'hear ye' used by the Philippine Supreme Court is an adaptation of the archaic Law French term 'oyez,' which is traditionally used by the U.S. Supreme Court.
What did Social Weather Stations surveys reveal about the perception of corruption among lawyers and judges in the Philippine judiciary?
Answer: Judges reported lower perceptions of widespread corruption compared to lawyers.
Social Weather Stations surveys indicated that while lawyers perceived significant corruption among judges, judges themselves reported lower levels of perceived widespread corruption among their peers.
What was the purpose of the 'Bantay Korte Suprema' coalition?
Answer: To ensure the fair and honest selection of Associate Justices.
The 'Bantay Korte Suprema' coalition was formed to ensure the fair and honest selection process for Associate Justices of the Supreme Court.
What is the function of the 'One-stop shop' initiative by the SC Public Information Office?
Answer: To consolidate offices like Judicial Records and the Office of the Bar Confidant to streamline services.
The 'One-stop shop' initiative consolidates various Supreme Court offices, such as Judicial Records and the Office of the Bar Confidant, to streamline services for the public.
What is the symbolic meaning of the four pillars at the facade of the Supreme Court's current main building?
Answer: Symbolizing the four levels of the hierarchy of the judiciary.
The four pillars on the facade of the Supreme Court's main building symbolize the four distinct levels within the Philippine judicial hierarchy.