Appointment to the Judiciary

Sections 7, Article VIII,  1987 Constitution

1. No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court or any lower collegiate court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A Member of the Supreme Court must be at least forty years of age, and must have been for fifteen years or more, a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines.

2. The Congress shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower courts, but no person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a member of the Philippine Bar.

3. A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.

Section 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.

For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointment within ninety days from the submission of the list.

A. QUALIFICATIONS

1. Members of the Supreme Court

a. Natural-born citizen;

b. At least 40 years old;

c. Have been for 15 years or more, a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines

d. Of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence

2. Members of the Court of Appeals

- same qualifications as those provided for Justice of the Supreme Court

3. Regional Trial Court Judges

a. Natural-born citizen;

b. At least 35 years old;

c. At least 10 years of law practice in the Philippines or holding office requiring admission to the bar as a prerequisite

d. Of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence

4. Metropolitan, Municipal and Municipal Circuit Trial Court Judges

a. Natural-born citizen;

b. At least 30 years old;

c. At least 5 years of law practice in the Philippines or holding office requiring admission to the bar as a prerequisite

d. Of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence

B. PROCEDURE IN APPOINTMENT

The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicialand Bar Council for every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.

For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointment within 90 days from the submission of the list.