Summary
Highlights
The video introduces Article 8 of the 1987 Constitution, which pertains to the Judicial Department. It establishes the judiciary as one of the three co-equal branches of government, alongside the executive and legislative branches.
Judicial power is defined as the authority to apply laws to disputes, concerning legally recognized rights and duties between the state and private persons, or between individual litigants. This power is vested in one Supreme Court, composed of 14 justices and one chief justice, and also in various lower courts.
Due process is explained as having two components: procedural due process and substantive due process. Procedural due process requires notice and an opportunity to be heard, while substantive due process demands a judgment based on evidence and applicable law. Both are crucial for a fair legal process.
Grave abuse of discretion can occur in situations involving capricious and whimsical exercise of judgment, arbitrary or despotic exercise of power due to passion or personal hostility, or actions carried out with malice, ill will, or personal bias.
The Supreme Court has several powers, including hearing and deciding cases affecting ambassadors and other public ministers, reviewing final judgments of lower courts, assigning temporary judges, ordering changes of venue, promulgating rules concerning constitutional rights and legal practice, and appointing judiciary officials and employees according to civil service laws. It also exercises administrative supervision over all courts and their personnel.
The power of judicial review allows courts to decide on the validity of executive and legislative acts based on their conformity with the constitution. Requisites for judicial review include an actual case (a conflict of legal rights), a proper party (one with legal standing), and the constitutional question being raised at the earliest possible opportunity.
Members of the Supreme Court and collegiate courts must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, and have been a judge of a lower court or engaged in law practice for at least 15 years. All members of the judiciary must also be persons of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.
The judiciary is considered the most apolitical branch of government. It is crucial for judicial appointees to demonstrate political neutrality and impartiality, resisting political pressures to maintain public trust and uphold justice fairly.