Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10660)
Republic Act No. 10660 aims to strengthen the functional and structural organization of the Sandiganbayan by further amending Presidential Decree No. 1606, as amended, including provisions on its composition, jurisdiction, procedures, and funding.
Each division of the Sandiganbayan shall consist of three members.
Two members constitute a quorum for sessions in the divisions of the Sandiganbayan.
When the required quorum cannot be met due to legal disqualification, temporary incapacity of a member, or a vacancy, the Presiding Justice may designate a member from another division by strict rotation to sit as a special member with all rights of a regular member for the trial of cases assigned to that division.
The Sandiganbayan has exclusive original jurisdiction over cases involving violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, other specified penal code provisions, and offenses committed by certain high-ranking public officials including those occupying positions Grade 27 and higher under the Compensation and Position Classification Act, members of Congress, judiciary members, Constitutional Commissions, and others as specified.
Officials of the executive branch occupying regional director positions and higher (Grade 27 and above), provincial and city officials like governors, mayors, and department heads, diplomatic officials consul and higher, military officers colonels/captains and above, senior Philippine National Police officers, prosecutors including those in the Office of the Ombudsman, and heads of government-owned or controlled corporations, among others.
The Regional Trial Court has exclusive original jurisdiction when the information does not allege any damage to the government or bribery, or when damage or bribery involved amount to not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00).
Private individuals charged as co-principals, accomplices, or accessories with public officials shall be tried jointly with the public officials in the courts that have exclusive jurisdiction over the latter.
No, the criminal action and the corresponding civil action for recovery of civil liability shall be simultaneously instituted and jointly determined by the Sandiganbayan or appropriate courts, and the filing of the criminal action is deemed to include the civil action.
All three members of the division must deliberate on all matters, and the decision, judgment, or final order shall be rendered by a majority vote of the division members.