Law Summary
Jurisdiction and Coverage of the People's Court
- Jurisdiction includes all crimes against national security committed between December 8, 1941, and September 2, 1945.
- Cases must be filed within six months from the passage of the Act.
- Cases filed after six months fall under the jurisdiction of the proper Court of First Instance.
- The Court may convict and sentence for lesser crimes included in the information if evidence is insufficient.
Compensation and Tenure of Judges
- Judges receive P10,000 per annum plus travel and necessary expenses.
- Judges earning a lower salary from the government receive the difference between their salary and P10,000.
- Judges serve until the President certifies all cases filed within the six-month period are disposed of.
- Upon completion, Judges resume former duties.
- Removal of Judges follows existing laws applicable to Judges of First Instance.
Court Sessions and Quorum
- The People's Court generally sits in banc but may convene in five divisions of three Judges each.
- The Presiding Judge or the most senior Associate Judge presides in his absence.
- Sessions are held in Manila but may be held elsewhere by resolution for public interest.
- Nine Judges constitute a quorum in banc; two Judges in divisions.
Decision-Making Process
- Cases are allotted among the five divisions.
- Majority affirmative votes are needed per division for judgment.
- If a division is deadlocked, the case is elevated to the Court in banc using recorded evidence.
- Judgment in banc requires at least eight affirmative votes.
Administration and Staffing
- The Secretary of Justice may designate necessary personnel including a Clerk and Deputy Clerks of Court.
- Personnel receive no additional compensation except for expense reimbursements.
Applicability of Laws and Appeal Procedures
- The Court shall try cases under this Act and existing laws as applicable.
- Decisions by the Court in banc are subject to Supreme Court review under Rule 46.
- Decisions by divisions are appealable under Rule 42.
- Death penalty cases require mandatory Supreme Court review.
Supreme Court Disqualification and Quorum
- Justices who served under the Philippine Executive Commission or Philippine Republic cannot sit on related cases.
- If quorum is not met due to disqualifications, the President may designate other qualified judges temporarily.
Creation and Composition of the Office of Special Prosecutors
- The Office includes fifteen members appointed by the President with Commission on Appointments' consent.
- Members are drawn from Philippine Army, recognized guerrilla groups, public prosecutors, and the Bar.
- The Solicitor General heads the Office.
- The President may increase the number based on workload.
Qualifications and Compensation of Special Prosecutors
- Must have qualifications for provincial fiscals and no prior office under prohibited governments.
- Non-salaried Special Prosecutors receive P7,200 per annum.
- Those with lower government salaries receive the difference between their salary and P7,200.
- Traveling and necessary expenses are reimbursed.
Office of Special Prosecutors' Coexistence and Transition
- Coexists with the People's Court until its abolition.
- Special Prosecutors with Commonwealth Government offices resume former duties upon abolition.
Handling of Political Prisoners
- Upon surrender of political prisoners by the US Armed Forces Commander, all related documents are transferred to the Office of Special Prosecutors.
- Political prisoners may be released on bail before information filing unless charged with capital offenses.
- Suspension of certain public security laws concerning political prisoners for up to six months post-handover.
Assistance and Cooperation for the Office of Special Prosecutors
- Secretary of Justice may appoint agents and personnel to assist the Office.
- Additional appointments receive no extra salary aside from expenses.
- The Solicitor General may utilize government offices and resources.
- Special Prosecutors have subpoena power and authority to administer oaths and conduct evidence gathering.
Trial Procedures and Rules
- Trials follow existing laws unless explicitly modified.
- Preliminary examinations or investigations are not required before trial.
- The People's Court may adopt internal rules to expedite proceedings.
- All orders and writs of the Court are served and enforced like superior courts.
Administrative Supervision and Budget
- The Court and Office of Special Prosecutors are under the administrative supervision of the Department of Justice.
- The President may transfer or detail government employees as needed without additional pay except travel expenses.
- Appropriation for operation is set at up to P1,000,000 for fiscal year 1945-46 and included in subsequent budgets.
Appointments and Effectivity
- The President must appoint the Presiding and Associate Judges and Special Prosecutors within ten days from the Act's approval.
- The Act takes effect immediately upon approval.