THE SANDIGANBAYAN

What is Sandiganbayan?

• A Special Court that was established by P.D 1606 with the rank of Court of Appeals

• Basically, the anti-graft court of the Philippines

Seal of the Sandiganbayan

• 13 stars = 13 Judicial Regions

• Color Blue, Red and White = Philippine Color

• Stars on each corner of the triangle = Luzon,

Visayas, Mindanao

• Bolo = Balance

HISTORY AND LEGAL BASIS

●1973 Philippine Constitution

“The Batasang Pambansa shall create a special court, to be known as Sandiganbayan, which shall have
jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses
committed by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled
corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined by law. (Art. XIII), 1973 Constitution.”

- Article 8, Sec. 5

●Presidential Decree No. 1486 (June 11, 1978)

• Law creating the Sandiganbayan

• The same level as what were then known as Courts of First Instance (RTC now)

●Presidential Decree No. 1606

• Elevated the Sandiganbayan to the Court of Appeals

●1987 Philippine Constitution

“The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue to function and exercise its
jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by law.”

- Article 11, Section 4

●EDSA Revolution (February 1986)

• Its jurisdiction broadened: Includes so-called 'ill-gotten wealth' cases investigated by the
Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) through Executive Orders No. 14 and No.
14-A

●RA No. 7975 and No. 8249 (1995 and 1997)

• Jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan: Confined to cases involving public officials with positions
classified as salary grade 27 and higher

PRESENT STRUCTURE

• Composed of a Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices who sit in five (5) Divisions
of three Justices each in the trial and determination of cases

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING JUSTICE

Implements the policies, executes the resolutions and enforces the orders of the Court En Banc; performs
the functions specifically vested upon him by law, rules and regulations or those implied therefrom;
performs all other functions and duties inherent in his position.

HONORABLE PRESIDING JUSTICE AMPARO M. CABOTAJE-TANG

JURISDICTION OF SANDIGANBAYAN

The jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is perhaps one of the most often amended provision from
the 1973 Constitution to RA 8249 of 1997. Before RA 8249, jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan
 was determined on the basis of the penalty imposable on the offense charged. Then, it was
amended such that regardless of the penalty, so long as the offense charged was committed by a
public officer, the Sandiganbayan was vested with jurisdiction.

NOTABLE CASES OF SANDIGANBAYAN

 People versus Estrada

• September 12, 2007

• Ombudsman filed case, perjury and plunder

• Jose Velarde

• Acquitted of Perjury but Guilty of Plunder

• Reclusion perpetua

• Executive Clemency on October 26, 2007

 Garcia Plea Bargain

• Former AFP Comptroller Carlos Garcia accused of

plunder

• "Plea Bargain" deal in exchange of his guilty plea

• Sandiganbayan affirmed the plea bargain, Garcia

to return Php 135 million worth of assets.