Creating A Special Court To Be Known As "Sandiganbayan" And For Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 1486

Creation and Composition of Sandiganbayan (Section 1):
- A special court called Sandiganbayan is created, composed of a Presiding Judge and eight Associate Judges.
- Qualifications: natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 40 years old, and at least 10 years as a judge or practicing lawyer.
- Tenure: Until age 65 or incapacitated.
- Compensation: Presiding Judge - P60,000 annually, Associate Judges - P50,000 annually.

Official Station and Sessions (Section 2):
- Principal office in Metro Manila.
- May hold sessions outside Metro Manila as authorized by the Presiding Judge.
- Can require services and facilities of government agencies.

Quorum and Divisions (Section 3):
- Quorum: 5 judges for en banc sessions, 2 judges for division sessions.
- Can sit en banc or in 3 divisions of 3 judges each.
- President can designate judges from other courts to sit temporarily if quorum cannot be met.

Jurisdiction (Section 4):
- Violations of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (R.A. 3019) and R.A. 1379.
- Crimes committed by public officers or employees under Title VII of Revised Penal Code.
- Other crimes committed by public officers or employees in relation to their office.
- Civil suits related to the above crimes.
- Exception: Crimes by military personnel under military tribunals.

Proceedings Against Constitutional Officers (Section 5):
- Cases involving constitutional officers shall be heard en banc.
- 5 judges required for en banc decision, 2 judges for division decision.

Maximum Period for Termination of Cases (Section 6):
- Trial shall be continuous until terminated.
- Judgment shall be rendered within 3 months from case submission.

Decisions, Appeals, and Reconsideration (Section 7):
- Decisions shall contain complete findings of fact.
- En banc decisions appealable to Supreme Court under Rule 45.
- Division decisions appealable under Rule 42.
- Death penalty or life imprisonment cases automatically reviewed by Supreme Court.
- Petition for reconsideration within 15 days, decided within 30 days.

Transfer of Cases (Section 8):
- Cases not yet commenced in trial courts shall be transferred to Sandiganbayan.
- Exception: Cases in military tribunals and against military personnel.

Internal Affairs and Rules (Section 9):
- Sandiganbayan shall administer its own internal affairs.
- Can adopt rules on division constitution, case allocation, judge rotation, etc.

Proceedings and Publicity (Section 10):
- Proceedings shall be free of charge for complainant and witnesses.
- No publicity during preliminary investigation until information is filed.

Administrative Personnel (Section 11):
- Supreme Court may designate or appoint personnel, including Clerk of Court and Deputy Clerks.
- Clerk of Court: P23,000 annually, Deputy Clerks: P18,000 annually.
- Subordinate employees governed by Civil Service Law.

Office of the Chief Special Prosecutor (Section 12):
- Chief Special Prosecutor, Assistant Chief, and 9 Special Prosecutors appointed by the President.
- Compensation: Chief - P30,000, Assistant Chief - P28,000, Special Prosecutors - P24,000.
- Conduct preliminary investigations, file information, and prosecute cases.
- Can administer oaths, issue subpoenas, summon witnesses, and secure attendance.
- Under control of Secretary of Justice.

Office of Special Investigators (Section 13):
- Secretary of Justice may appoint Special Investigators and personnel.
- Assist Chief Special Prosecutor.
- Under Chief Special Prosecutor.

Report to the President (Section 14):
- Sandiganbayan shall submit annual report to the President, including disbursements.

Funding (Section 15):
- Funds appropriated from National Treasury.
- Appropriations automatically released based on Sandiganbayan's schedule.

Repealing Clause (Section 16):
- Inconsistent laws, orders, rules, or regulations are repealed or modified.

Effectivity (Section 17):
- This Decree shall take effect immediately.