Law Summary
Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
- Exclusive original jurisdiction over violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019, as amended), RA 1379, and specific provisions of the Revised Penal Code involving certain public officials.
- Covered officials include:
- Executive officials at regional director level and higher (Salary Grade 27 and above), including governors, city mayors, provincial and city department heads, diplomatic officials at consul level and above, senior military and police officers, prosecutors, officials of the Office of the Ombudsman, and government-owned or controlled corporation officers.
- Members of Congress and officials classified at Grade 27 and above.
- Judiciary members and officials of Constitutional Commissions, subject to constitutional provisions.
- All other national and local officials with Salary Grade 27 or higher.
- Jurisdiction also covers other felonies committed by these officials in relation to their office.
- Original jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases related to Executive Orders Nos. 1, 2, 14, and 14-A of 1986.
- Regional Trial Courts (RTC) have exclusive original jurisdiction when:
- Information does not allege government damage or bribery; or
- Allegations concern damage or bribery not exceeding P1,000,000 from related acts.
- RTC trials under this law shall occur outside the judicial region where the official holds office.
- Cases not involving officials of Salary Grade 27 or military/PNP officers of specified rank fall under regional or local trial courts as appropriate.
- Sandiganbayan exercises exclusive appellate jurisdiction over final RTC decisions.
- It has original jurisdiction over petitions for writs (mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunctions) and similar petitions arising from EO cases, without excluding Supreme Court jurisdiction.
- Appeals and petitions follow the procedural rules of the Supreme Court and the Rules of Court applicable to the Court of Appeals.
- The Office of the Ombudsman represents the People in cases before Sandiganbayan, except for EO cases.
- Private individuals charged with government officials are tried jointly with them in the appropriate courts exercising exclusive jurisdiction.
- Criminal and related civil actions for recovery of civil liability must be filed and decided simultaneously in Sandiganbayan or appropriate courts. Separate filing of civil action apart from criminal is not recognized.
- Civil actions filed separately before case filing with the Sandiganbayan shall be consolidated with criminal cases.
Proceedings and Decisions in the Sandiganbayan
- All three members of a division deliberate on matters for judgment or decision.
- A majority concurrence is necessary to render judgments, final orders, or resolve interlocutory or incidental motions.
Funding and Appropriations
- The necessary amounts for implementing this Act will be charged against current Sandiganbayan appropriations.
- Future funding requirements are to be included in the General Appropriations Act annually.
Transitory Provisions
- The Act applies to all pending cases in Sandiganbayan where trial has not yet commenced.
- Amendments on jurisdiction and procedure apply only to offenses committed after the Act’s effectivity.
Separability Clause
- Declaring any provision or part unconstitutional does not affect the validity and effectiveness of the remaining provisions.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and issuances are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly to conform with this Act.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.