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III. Regional Trial CourtsRegional Trial Courts were established among the thirteen regions in thePhilippines consisting of Regions I to XII and the National Capital Region(NCR). There are as many Regional Trial Courts in each region as the lawmandates.IV. Family CourtsR.A. 8369 provided for the establishment of a Family Court (which is deemedequivalent in rank to a Regional Trial Court) in each province or city.V. Shari’a CourtsEquivalent to the Regional Trial Courts in rank are the Shari’a DistrictCourts which were established in certain specified provinces in Mindanaowhere the Muslim Code on Personal Laws is being enforced.There are five Shari’a District Courts and fifty one Shari’a Circuit Courts inexistence.V. Court of Tax AppealsA special court, the Court of Tax Appeals, composed of a Presiding Judgeand two Associate Judges, is vested with the exclusive appellate jurisdictionover appeals from the decisions of the Commissioner of Internal Revenueand the Commissioner of Customs on certain specific issues.VI. SandiganbayanA special court, the Sandiganbayan, composed of a Presiding Justice andeight Associate Justices, has exclusive jurisdiction over violations of theAnti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act [Republic Act No. 3019], theUnexplained Wealth Act [Republic Act No. 1379] and other crimes orfelonies committed by public officials and employees in relation to theiroffice, including those employees in government-owned or controlledcorporations.VII. Court of AppealsThe Court of Appeals, composed of one Presiding Justice and sixty eightAssociate Justices is vested with jurisdiction over appeals from thedecisions of the Regional Trial Courts and certain quasi-judicial agencies,boards or commissions.64 SEEKING REDRESS FOR HIV-RELATED VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS