Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
- Original jurisdiction in cases involving violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), RA 1379, and relevant Revised Penal Code provisions where principal accused hold specific government positions.
- Government positions covered include:
- Executive branch officials from regional director and above (Salary Grade 27 and higher), including provincial and city officials, diplomats, senior military and police officers, prosecutors, Ombudsman officials, and heads or trustees of government-owned or controlled corporations and state universities.
- Members of Congress and certain officials.
- Members of the judiciary, subject to constitutional provisions.
- Chairmen and members of Constitutional Commissions.
- Other national and local officials classified as Grade 27 or higher.
- Jurisdiction extends also to other offenses related to the office of these officials and cases pursuant to certain Executive Orders.
- Cases involving accused persons below Salary Grade 27 and equivalent ranks fall under the jurisdiction of regional or local trial courts.
- The Sandiganbayan holds exclusive appellate jurisdiction over appeals from regular courts involving accused with lower pay grades.
- It has original exclusive jurisdiction over petitions for writs (mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunction) related to its appellate jurisdiction, without excluding Supreme Court jurisdiction.
- Procedures for appeals and petitions follow Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 and Supreme Court rules.
- Criminal and civil actions related to offenses are to be simultaneously filed and jointly decided; exceptions allow civil actions filed separately prior to criminal cases to be consolidated.
- Private individuals charged with public officers must be tried jointly in the appropriate courts.
Form, Finality, and Enforcement of Decisions
- Decisions must include complete factual and legal findings on all issues raised.
- Petitions for reconsideration must be filed within 15 days from notice, and decided within 30 days.
- Decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court via petition for review on certiorari, raising pure questions of law as per Rule 45.
- Cases with penalties of reclusion perpetua or higher are appealable to the Supreme Court; death penalty cases are automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court.
- Judgments and orders are enforced according to law.
- Decisions of other courts on cases cognizable by Sandiganbayan are appealable to it within 15 days.
Rules of Procedure
- Supreme Court's Rules of Court apply to all cases and proceedings before the Sandiganbayan.
- The Sandiganbayan cannot promulgate its own procedural rules but may adopt internal rules for case allotment, justice rotation, and internal operations.
- Such internal rules remain effective until amended or repealed by the Supreme Court.
Repeal and Amendments
- Section 10 of Presidential Decree No. 1606 is repealed.
- Inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, and rules, including certain Presidential Decrees and Executive Orders, are repealed or modified.
Transitional Provisions
- Criminal cases not yet tried in the Sandiganbayan at the effectivity of this Act shall be referred to proper courts.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two national newspapers of general circulation.