Amendment on Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Rules

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PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1860: Amendment on Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Rules

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Title Source: Supreme Court: Amendment on Sandiganbayan Jurisdiction Rules

Law: Presidential Decree No. 1860

Decision Date: Jan 14, 1983

Presidential Decree No. 1860 amends the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan, simplifying the rules and expanding its exclusive original jurisdiction, leading to an increase in cases filed before the Sandiganbayan, but causing inconvenience and expenses for public officials accused of lesser offenses, prompting a proposal for appropriate lower courts to handle such cases.

Law Summary

Amendment to Jurisdiction Rules

The concurrent jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan and regular courts was abolished.
The original jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan was expanded to cover all offenses enumerated in Section 4 of PD No. 1606 regardless of the imposable penalty.
Due to the rise in cases with penalties not higher than prision correccional filed in Sandiganbayan, the decree seeks a more efficient trial process by shifting such cases to the appropriate trial courts.

Sessions and Inconvenience to Parties

Sandiganbayan sessions are primarily held in Metro Manila unless authorized otherwise.
Public officials and witnesses face inconvenience and extra costs attending sessions far from their location, especially for less serious offenses.
The decree encourages trial of offenses punishable by penalties not exceeding prision correccional in lower courts to minimize these issues.

Authority of the Office of the Tanodbayan

The Office of the Tanodbayan retains exclusive authority to conduct preliminary investigations, file information, and control prosecution of all cases under Section 4 of PD 1606.
This authority applies whether the cases fall under Sandiganbayan's exclusive jurisdiction or that of regular courts per PD 1630.

Effect on Other Laws and Provisions

All inconsistent laws, orders, rules, or parts thereof are amended, repealed, or modified to align with this decree.

Immediate Effectivity

The decree takes effect immediately upon promulgation.

This summary outlines the core provisions related to jurisdiction, procedural changes, and prosecutorial authority conferred and modified by this decree.

END