THE Supreme Court yesterday said it will begin transitioning to the eFiling system for certain petitions and motions through the eCourt PH app, which is available on the Philippine Judiciary Platform (PJP) on July 1.
SC Spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting announced this in a press briefing yesterday, saying the move is based on the Guidelines on Transition to Electronic Filing in the High Court, which was approved by the Court en banc on May 20, 2025, in preparation for mandatory eFiling starting October 1 this year.
Ting said that from July 1 to September 30, 2025, lawyers must file digitally with the SC through the PJP – in addition to paper-based filing (personal, registered mail, or courier) – initiatory pleadings and motions for extension of time in the following cases:
1. Petitions for review on certiorari under Rule 45 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, with or without applications for temporary restraining orders, writs of preliminary injunction, or other provisional remedies.
2. Review of judgments and final orders or resolutions of the Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit under Rule 64 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.
3. Petitions for certiorari, prohibition, or mandamus under Rule 65 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, with or without applications for temporary or preliminary injunction, or other provisional remedies.
4. Petitions for contempt.
5. Petitions for the issuance of prerogative writs, including habeas corpus, amparo, habeas data, kalikasan, and continuing mandamus, and
6. Quo warranto actions.
Ting said not covered by the eFiling requirement and must follow existing Rules are the following:
1. Criminal appeals under Rule 122 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, from the first- and second-level courts, the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan.
2. Administrative complaints against SC personnel and its decentralized units, and the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.
3. Administrative matters involving the CA, Sandiganbayan, CTA, and lower courts, their Justices, judges, and personnel.
4. Complaints against lawyers and other Bar matters; and
5. Cases within the jurisdiction of the PET, the Senate Electoral Tribunal, and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
“Parties without lawyers, amicus curiae, Shari’ah counselors-at-law who are not members of the Philippine Bar, and law student practitioners must continue filing documents personally, by registered mail, or through an accredited courier,” the SC spokesperson added.
She added that documents filed and served before July 1, 2025, in accordance with the Rules of Court do not need to be re-filed or re-served under the Guidelines, unless ordered by the SC.
“The original date and time of filing and service will be recognized. During the transition period, the SC may allow corrections to erroneous filings upon its directive,” she added.
Starting October 1, this year, improperly filed petitions, pleadings, or motions may be dismissed or denied, while any subsequent improper filings will be treated as not filed.
