G.R. No. A.M. No. 02-8-11-SC; August 13, 2002
In re: Reorganization of the Divisions of the Court

FACTS

The Supreme Court, acting en banc, issued a resolution to reorganize its three divisions. This action was taken in view of the appointment of new Members of the Court and the expected appointment of three more Justices to fill the vacancies created by the retirements of Associate Justices Jose A. R. Melo, Sabino R. de Leon, Jr., and Santiago M. Kapunan. The reorganization aims to conform with the Court’s policy of attaining balance among the Divisions based on seniority and other relevant considerations, pursuant to Article VIII, Section 4, paragraph (1) of the Constitution, which allows the Court to sit en banc or in divisions of three, five, or seven Members.

ISSUE

Whether the Supreme Court may validly reorganize the composition of its three divisions in light of new appointments and impending vacancies to maintain balance based on seniority and other relevant considerations.

RULING

The Supreme Court RESOLVED to reorganize its three divisions. The new composition is as follows:
– FIRST DIVISION: Chairman: Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr.; Members: Associate Justices Jose C. Vitug, Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, and Antonio T. Carpio.
– SECOND DIVISION: Chairman: Senior Associate Justice Josue N. Bellosillo; Members: Associate Justices Vicente V. Mendoza, Leonardo A. Quisumbing, and Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez.
– THIRD DIVISION: Chairman: Associate Justice Reynato S. Puno; Members: Associate Justices Artemio V. Panganiban, Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, and Renato C. Corona.
The resolution further states that the three new Associate Justices to be appointed to succeed the retiring Justices shall be assigned to the Divisions in accordance with the Court’s policy. The reorganization took effect on September 1, 2002, and was ordered to be published in a newspaper of general circulation before August 20, 2002. The resolution was concurred in by all Justices, with Associate Justice Sandoval-Gutierrez on leave.