Further Amending The Judiciary Act Of 1948, Republic Act No. 296, As Amended, By Increasing The Number Of Associate Justices Of The Court Of Appeals To Forty-Four

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1482

Increasing the Number of Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals
- Section 1: Amends Section 24 of Republic Act No. 296 to increase the number of Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals from the existing number to forty-four (44).
- The Court of Appeals shall consist of a Presiding Justice and forty-four Associate Justices appointed by the President of the Philippines.
- The Presiding Justice shall be designated in their commission, and the other Justices shall have precedence according to the date of their respective commissions.
- If a member of the Court of Appeals is appointed to another branch of the government, they shall receive compensation from that branch not less than their compensation in the Court of Appeals.
- If a member is re-appointed to the Court of Appeals after serving in another branch, they shall retain their original precedence, and their service shall be considered continuous and uninterrupted.
- The Court of Appeals shall sit in banc, but it may sit in fifteen divisions of three justices each, and the fifteen divisions may sit at the same time. (Section 1)

Quorum and Voting Requirements
- Twenty-four Justices shall constitute a quorum for sessions in banc. (Section 2)
- Three Justices shall constitute a quorum for sessions of a division. (Section 2)
- The affirmative vote of twenty-four Justices is necessary to pass a resolution of the Court in banc. (Section 2)
- The unanimous vote of the three Justices of a division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a judgment. (Section 2)
- If the three Justices do not reach a unanimous vote, the Presiding Justice shall designate two additional Justices to form a division of five, and the concurrence of a majority of such division shall be necessary for the pronouncement of a judgment. (Section 2)

Appointment of Deputy Clerks and Other Officers
- The Court may appoint fifteen deputy clerks of court who shall have the same qualifications as the clerk of the Court of Appeals. (Section 3)
- The Court may appoint other officers in such number and compensation as authorized. (Section 3)

Appropriation
- Two Million Pesos is appropriated from the National Treasury for the salaries, allowances, offices, and equipment of the additional Justices and complementary officers and personnel during the current calendar year. (Section 4)

Effectivity
- This decree shall take effect immediately. (Section 5)