Din Eve James Amante

A scene outside the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court on November 13, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The run-up to the May elections and the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have seen a flurry of petitions being filed at the Supreme Court.</p><p>With the different kinds of pleas and the use of Latin, it&#x27;s easy to get lost in what a certain petition means and seeks from the court.</p><p>The Rules of Court, promulgated by the Supreme Court under its rule-making power, provide for procedures for the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights.</p><p>Among them are special civil actions which are designed for particular situations.</p><p>One special civil action is set forth under Rule 65, which allows for petitions for Certiorari, Prohibition, and Mandamus.</p><div><strong>PETITION FOR CERTIORARI</strong></div><p>A Petition for Certiorari — Latin for &quot;to be made more certain&quot; or &quot;to be informed&quot; — under Rule 65 is proper to question jurisdiction, or  the authority to hear and decide a case. </p><p>These writs are issued against a tribunal, a board, or any officer exercising judicial or quasi-judicial functions.</p><p>However, court decisions in the exercise of the expanded mode have allowed the filing of petitions for certiorari and prohibition to question government actions that may violate the Constitution.</p><p>These facts can be quasi-judicial, legislative, quasi-legislative, or administrative in nature.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/18/group-of-lawyers-challenge-sara-duterte-s-impeachment-at-supreme-court-1109">Supreme Court asked to halt Sara Duterte’s ‘defective’ impeachment<br/></a></div><p>A judicial function is the power of courts to settle actual controversies involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable. Meanwhile, a quasi-judicial function is the power of an administrative agency to decide on the rights of persons before it.</p><p>A legislative function is the power of Congress to make, change, and repeal laws. Meanwhile, a quasi-legislative function is exercised by administrative agencies through the promulgation of rules and regulations.</p><p>Subjects of a petition for certiorari may be filed if the body or person whose authority is being questioned is believed to have acted without or beyond their jurisdiction or with grave abuse of their discretion and there is no appeal or similar remedy in the course of law.</p><p>There is grave abuse of discretion when the act is a “capricious, arbitrary, and whimsical exercise of power.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/18/group-of-lawyers-challenge-sara-duterte-s-impeachment-at-supreme-court-1109">SC urged to compel Comelec, Miru to disclose election-related documents<br/></a></div><div><strong>PETITION FOR PROHIBITION</strong></div><p>A Petition for Prohibition is filed to prevent courts, officers, or persons from exercising an authority they do not have.</p><p>If granted, a court commands the respondent to desist from the action or matter in the petition.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/3/at-least-40-social-media-personalities-invited-as-house-begins-probe-on-fake-news-1753">House issues show cause orders vs vloggers who skipped &#x27;fake news&#x27; probe<br/></a></div><p>These petitions may be filed against a tribunal, corporation, board, or person whether exercising judicial, quasi-judicial, or ministerial functions — those that do not require the exercise of judgment like processing paperwork according to a set procedure.</p><p>The petitions can be filed when that body or person has acted without or in excess of its jurisdiction, or with grave abuse of discretion, and there is no appeal or similar remedy available.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/2/roque-still-hopeful-for-sc-prohibition-order-vs-house-quad-comm-1352">Roque still hopeful for SC prohibition order vs House quad comm<br/></a></div><div><strong>PETITION FOR MANDAMUS</strong></div><p>A Petition for Mandamus — Latin for &quot;we command&quot; — is filed when a body or person unlawfully neglects to do what they are required to by law, or when they unlawfully exclude someone from using or exercising a right or authority that they are entitled to.</p><p>Those filing this kind of petition must show a clear legal right to the act demanded and that the respondent has the duty to perform the act under the law and has neglected that duty.</p><p>The act that is subject of the petition must also be ministerial — or does not require the exercise of judgment — and there is no other plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/15/lawyer-asks-sc-to-direct-senate-to-proceed-with-impeachment-trial-1429">Lawyer asks SC to direct Senate to proceed with Sara Duterte impeachment trial<br/></a></div><p>Mandamus neither confers power nor imposes a duty but is a command for the respondent to perform a duty already imposed by law.</p><p>In summary, Rule 65 provides a legal remedy when a court or a person acts without or beyond its authority.</p><p>A petition for Certiorari challenges decisions made in excess or lack of jurisdiction or with grave abuse of discretion; Prohibition seeks to stop an unlawful action; and Mandamus compels the performance of a duty required by law.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/17/lawmaker-sc-has-power-to-compel-senate-to-convene-impeachment-court-1954">Lawmaker: SC has power to compel Senate to convene impeachment court</a></div>

<p>​With the different kinds of pleas being filed, especially during election season, it's easy to get lost in what a certain petition means and seeks from the court.</p>

​With the different kinds of pleas being filed, especially during election season, it's easy to get lost in what a certain petition means and seeks from the court.

Certiorari, Prohibition, Mandamus? A look at petitions and what they ask courts to do

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Certiorari, Prohibition, Mandamus? A look at petitions and what they ask courts to do

Atty. James Amante,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 19, 2025 09:37 PM PHT

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Updated February 20, 2025 02:42 PM PHT

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