Law Summary
Principal Office and Sessions of the Sandiganbayan
- Principal office located in Metro Manila.
- Holds sessions for trial and determination of cases in Metro Manila.
- Cases from Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao regions are typically heard in their region of origin.
- Exceptions allowed based on convenience of accused and witnesses or other compelling reasons.
- Presiding justice may authorize sessions outside Metro Manila or even outside Philippine territory.
- May use personnel and facilities of other courts or government offices during sessions.
Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
- Has exclusive original jurisdiction over cases involving violations of:
- Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019, as amended)
- Republic Act No. 1379
- Certain provisions of the Revised Penal Code
- Jurisdiction applies to specific government officials occupying positions with Salary Grade 27 or higher and other designated officials such as:
- Executive branch officials regional director level and above
- Local government executives, provincial and city officials
- Diplomatic officials as consuls and above
- Military officers at colonel/captain rank and higher
- Police officers provincial director level and above
- Prosecutors including those in Office of the Ombudsman
- Heads and officials of government-owned or controlled corporations and state universities
- Members of Congress and judiciary with constitutional limitations considered
- Constitutional Commission members
- Jurisdiction also includes other crimes related to official duties by public officials/employees mentioned.
- Civil and criminal cases pursuant to specified Executive Orders issued in 1986 are included.
- Cases involving persons not occupying salary grade 27 and above or designated military/police ranks fall under regional or municipal trial courts.
- Sandiganbayan holds exclusive appellate jurisdiction over regional trial court final decisions related to its original jurisdiction.
- Has exclusive jurisdiction over certain writs (mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunctions) connected to its appellate cases.
- Appeals and petitions follow procedures similar to those of the Court of Appeals.
- Office of the Ombudsman represents the People in cases, except those under specified Executive Orders.
- Criminal actions and related civil liability cases are instituted simultaneously and jointly decided; separate filing of civil cases is not recognized.
- If civil actions were filed separately before criminal cases, they shall be transferred for consolidation or deemed abandoned.
Decisions, Appeals, and Enforcement
- All final decisions and orders must include comprehensive findings of fact and law.
- Petitions for reconsideration of decisions may be filed within 15 days from notice; decided within 30 days.
- Appeals from Sandiganbayan decisions are to be filed with the Supreme Court via certiorari on pure questions of law.
- For penalties including reclusion perpetua, life imprisonment, or death, appeal to Supreme Court is mandatory.
- Enforcement of judgments follows existing legal provisions.
- Decisions of other courts within jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan are appealable or reviewable by it.
- Death penalty judgements are automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court regardless of an appeal.
Appropriations and Funding
- Initial funds for implementation charged against current fiscal year appropriations of the Sandiganbayan.
- Subsequent funds included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
Application to Pending Cases
- The Act applies to all cases where trial has not yet started as of its approval.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is declared unconstitutional or invalid, remaining parts continue in effect.
Repealing Clause
- Any inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, or circulars are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect 15 days after complete publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation.