How about stepping into a place where justice echoes through the halls? Welcome to the Court of Appeals in Cebu City. It is more than just a building. It’s a cornerstone of Philippine law.
The Court of Appeals’ story began on December 3 1935. Commonwealth Act No 3 brought it to life. The court formally organized on February 1 1936. Imagine the early days with only eleven judges. Pedro Concepcion led as the first Presiding Judge.
Initially the Court of Appeals had exclusive appellate jurisdiction. This included all cases not under the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. Decisions were final unless the Supreme Court intervened on questions of law. The Court of Appeals also issued writs of mandamus. It handled prohibition injunction certiorari and habeas corpus. These aided its appellate jurisdiction.
In 1938 appellate judges became justices. Their number grew from eleven to fifteen. Commonwealth Act No 259 made this change. By 1941 the court had nineteen justices due to Executive Order No 395.
The Court of Appeals even functioned during the Japanese occupation. However in March 1945 President Sergio Osmeña abolished it. This was through Executive Order No 37. World War II’s end brought restoration. Republic Act No 52 recreated the Court of Appeals in 1946. It had a presiding justice and fourteen associate justices.
Membership expanded over the years. By 1956 there were eighteen justices. Republic Act No 1605 caused this increase. In 1968 the number rose to twenty-four. Republic Act No 5204 made the change. The court swelled to forty-five justices by 1978. This was under Presidential Decree No 1482.
A judiciary reorganization occurred in 1983. Executive Order No 864 renamed the court. It became the Intermediate Appellate Court. Membership increased to fifty-one justices.
President Corazon Aquino restored the original name in 1986. Executive Order No 33 brought back the Court of Appeals. It had a presiding justice and fifty associate justices.
Republic Act No 7902 expanded the court’s jurisdiction in 1995. In 1996 Republic Act No 8246 created six more divisions. This increased membership to sixty-nine justices. The additional divisions regionalized the court. Three divisions went to the Visayas in Cebu City. Three others went to Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro.
In 2007 there was opposition to abolishing the court in Cebu City. The Integrated Bar of the Philippines cited inconvenience. Allegations of graft and corruption surfaced. Justice Ruben Reyes investigated these claims.
The Court of Appeals celebrated its 82nd Anniversary on February 1 2018.
Today the Court consists of a Presiding Justice and sixty-eight Associate Justices. Fernanda Lampas-Peralta is the current Presiding Justice.
As you stand here remember the Court of Appeals’ vital role. It shapes justice and upholds the law. Its history reflects the Philippines’ journey. The Court ensures a fair legal process.