History

The SUPREME COURT of the PHILIPPINES: Guardian of our Constitution,Defender of democracy, and protector of the people.

June 11, 1901, marks the birth of the Supreme Court. Act 136 of the Second Philippine Commission, the judiciary Law, took effect on that date. By virtue of that law, judicial power in the Philippine Island was vested in the Supreme Court, Court of First Instance, and Justice of the Peace Court. Other courts were subsequently established.
Even before June 11, 1901,institution exercising judicial power were already in existence.Before the Spaniards came, judicial authority "in its primitive form" was in the hands of barangay chiefs. During the early years of the Spanish regime, this powers were vested upon Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the first governor-general of the Philippines. He administered civil and criminal justice under the Royal Order of August 14, 1569.

We congratulate the Supreme Court of the Philippines headed by Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, its Associate Justices Officers and Members, on the occasion of its 107th Anniversary,and wish them success in all their endeavors. see: Editorial PHILIPPINE PANORAMA,June 8, 2008