1. ABOUT SANDIGANBAYAN
MANDATE OFTHE SANDIGANBAYAN
SEC. 5. The BatasangPambansashall create a special court,to be knownas Sandiganbayan,whichshall
have jurisdictionovercriminal andcivil casesinvolvinggraftandcorruptpracticesand such other
offensescommittedbypublicofficersandemployees,includingthose ingovernment-ownedor
controlledcorporations,inrelationtotheirofficeasmaybe determinedbylaw.(Art.XIII),1973
Constitution.
SEC. 4. The presentanti-graftcourtknownasthe Sandiganbayanshall continuetofunctionandexercise
itsjurisdictionasnowor hereaftermaybe providedbylaw.(Art.XI),1987 Constitution.
SEAL OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN
The seal of the Sandiganbayanshall be of standardsize,circularinform, consisting of twoconcentric
circlesas itsmargins,withthe inscription,runningfromlefttoright,onthe uppermarginof the word
"Sandiganbayan"andonthe lowermarginof the words RepublikangPilipinaswith13stars representing
the existing13judicial regionsimmediatelyalongthe outeredge of the innercircle;andwithadesignat
the centerof a triangle,withatrisectedareacomposedof the national colorsof white onitsupperpart,
blue onthe leftand redon the right,withthe words"KATAPATAN"on the leftside,"KAPANAGUTAN"on
the right side,and"KARANGALAN"onthe base;a star ineach cornerof the triangle representingLuzon,
VisayasandMindanao;and a boloinside the triangle onwhichissuperimposedabalance.
VISION
We envisionajudicialinstitutionthatthe Filipinopeople canrelyonforthe attainmentof the highest
normsof official conductrequiredof publicoffi-cersandemployees.
MISSION
The Sandiganbayan'smissionistogive life andmeaningtothe constitutionalpreceptthatapublicoffice
isa publictrustand to impressuponpublicofficersandemployeesthattheyare at all timesaccountable
to the people withtheirdutytoserve withthe highestdegree of responsibility,integrity,loyaltyand
efficiency.Itcarriesoutthis objective byconductingexpeditioustrialsof criminal andcivil cases
involvingoffensescommittedbypublicofficersandemployees,includingthose employedin
government-ownedorcontrolledcorporations.
JURISDICTION OFSANDIGANBAYAN
The jurisdictionof the Sandiganbayanisperhapsone of the mostoftenamended provisions fromthe
1973 ConstitutiontoRA 8249 of 1997. Before RA 8249, jurisdictionof the Sandiganbayan was
determinedonthe basisof the penaltyimposableonthe offensecharged.Then,itwasamendedsuch
that regardlessof the penalty,solongasthe offense chargedwascommittedbyapublicofficer,the
Sandiganbayanwasvestedwithjurisdiction.Under RA 8249, to determine whetherthe Sandiganbayan
has jurisdiction,lawyersmustlookintotwo(2) criteria,namely:
The nature of the offense andThe salarygrade of the publicofficial.
Thus,Sec.4 of RA 8249 providesthatthe Sandiganbayanshall have original exclusivejurisdictionover:
I.) Violationsof RA 3019 (Anti-graftandCorruptPracticesLaw);
II.) RA 1379 (Forfeiture of IllegallyAcquiredWealth);
III.) CrimesbypublicofficersoremployeesembracedinCh.II,Sec.2Title VII,Bk.II of the RPC(Crimes
committedbyPublicOfficers) namely:
a) DirectBriberyunderArt.210 as amendedbyBP871, May 29, 1985;
b) IndirectBriberyunderArt.211 as amendedbyBP 871, May 29, 1985;

2. c) QualifiedBriberyunderArt.211-A as amendedbyRA 7659, Dec. 13, 1993;
d) Corruptionof publicofficialsunderArt.212
Where one or more of the accusedare officialsoccupyingthe followingpositionsinthe government
whetherina permanent,actingorinterimcapacity,atthe time of the commissionof the offense:
1) Officialsof the executive branchoccupyingthe positionsof regional directorandhigher,otherwise
classifiedasGrade 27 andhigher,of the CompensationandPositionClassificationActof 1989 Republic
Act No.6758) specificallyincluding:
a) Provincial governors,vice-governors,membersof the sangguniangpanlalawigan,provincial
treasurers,assessors,engineersandotherprovincial departmentheads;
b) Citymayors,vice-mayors,membersof the sangguniangpanglungsod,citytreasurers,assessors,
engineersandotherdepartmentheads;
c) Officialsof the diplomaticservice occupyingthe positionof consul andhigher;
d) Philippine ArmyandAirforce colonels,naval captainsandall officersof higherrank;
e) Officersof the PNPwhile occupyingthe positionof Provincial Directorandthose holdingthe rank
of SeniorSuperintendentorhigher;
f) Cityand provincial prosecutorsandtheirassistants;officialsandthe prosecutorsinthe Office of
the Ombudsmanandspecial prosecutor;
g) President,directorsortrusteesormanagersof governmentownedorcontrolledcorporations,
state universitiesoreducationalinstitutionsorfoundations;
2) Membersof CongressandOfficialsthereof classifiedasGrade 27 and up underthe Compensation
and ClassificationActof 1989;
3) Membersof the Judiciarywithoutprejudice tothe provisionof the Constitution;
4) Chairmenandmembersof Constitutional Commissions,withoutprejudice tothe provisionof the
Constitution;
5) All othernational andlocal officialsclassifiedasGrade 27 and higherunderthe Compensationand
PositionClassificationActof 1989.
IV.) Otheroffensesorfelonieswhethersimpleorcomplexedwithothercrimescommittedinrelationto
theiroffice bythe publicofficialsandemployeesmentionedabove;
V.) Civil andCriminal Casesfiledpursuanttoandin connectionwithEO1, 2, 14 & 14-A issuedin1986
VI.) Petitionsforissuance of Writof mandamus,prohibition,certiorari,habeascorpus,injunctionand
otherancillarywritsandprocessesinaidof its appellate jurisdiction;Provided,jurisdictionisnot
exclusiveof the Supreme Court
VII.) PetitionsforQuoWarrantoarisingor that may arise incasesfiledorthat may be filedunderEO1,
2, 14 & 14- A
VIII.) OTHERSprovidedthe accusedbelongstoSG27 or higher:
a.) Violationof RA 6713 - Code of ConductandEthical Standards
b.) Violationof RA 7080 - THE PLUNDER LAW
c.) Violationof RA 7659 - The HeinousCrime Law
d.) RA 9160 - Violationof The Anti-MoneyLaunderingLaw whencommittedbyapublicofficer

3. e.) PD 46 referredto as the gift-givingdecree whichmakesitpunishable foranyofficialoremployee
to receive directlyorindirectlyandforthe private persontogive oroffertogive any gift,presentor
othervaluable thingonanyoccasionincludingChristmas,whensuch gift,presentorvaluable thingis
givenbyreasonof his official position,regardlessof whetherornotthe same is forpast favorsor the
giverhopesorexpectstoreceive afavoror bettertreatmentinthe future fromthe publicofficial or
employeeconcernedinthe discharge of hisofficial functions.Includedwithinthe prohibitionisthe
throwingof partiesorentertainmentinhonorof the official oremployeeorhisimmediaterelatives.
f.) PD 749 whichgrantsimmunityfromprosecutiontoanypersonwhovoluntarilygivesinformation
aboutany violationof Art.210,211 or 212 of the RPC,RA 3019, Sec.345 of the NIRC,Sec.3604 of the
CustomsandTariff Code and otherprovisionsof the saidCodespenalizingabuse ordishonestyonthe
part of the publicofficialsconcernedandotherlaws,rulesandregulationspenalizinggraft,corruption
and otherformsof official abuse andwhowillinglytestifiesagainstthe publicofficial oremployee
subjecttocertainconditions.
It shouldbe notedthatprivate individualscanbe suedincases before the Sandiganbayanif theyare
allegedtobe inconspiracywiththe publicofficer.
The SandiganbayanisvestedwithAppellate Jurisdictionoverfinal judgments,resolutionsorordersof
the RTC whetherinthe exercise of theiroriginal orappellatejurisdictionovercrimesandcivil cases
fallingwithinthe original exclusive jurisdictionof the Sandiganbayanbutwhichwere committedby
publicofficersbelowSalaryGrade 27.
HISTORY OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN
The creation of the SandiganbayanwasoriginallyprovidedforbyArticle XIIIof the 1973 Constitution:
"SEC. 5. The National Assemblyshall create aspecial court,tobe knownasSandiganbayan,whichshall
have jurisdictionovercriminal andcivil casesinvolvinggraftandcorruptpracticesand such other
offensescommittedbypublicofficersandemployees,includingthose ingovernment-ownedor
controlledcorporations,inrelationtotheirofficeasmaybe determinedbylaw.
In obediencetothismandate,the late PresidentFerdinandE.Marcos,exercisingthe emergency
legislative powergrantedhimunderAmendmentNo.6of the 1976 Amendmentstothe 1973
Constitution,issuedonJune 11, 1978, PresidentialDecree No.1486 creatingthe Sandiganbayanand
puttingiton the same level aswhatwere thenknownasthe Courtsof First Instance,now the Regional
Trial Courts.Shortlythereafter,however,the Sandiganbayanwaselevatedtothe levelof the Courtof
Appealsbyvirtue of Presidential Decree No.1606 issuedonDecember 10,1978.
At the start of itsoperationonFebruary12, 1979, the Sandiganbayanhadonlyone Division,composed
of the PresidingJustice,Hon.Manuel R.Pamaran,andtwo Associate Justices,Hon.BernardoP.
FernandezandHon.RomeoM. Escareal,and a skeletonforce of fifteen(15).The startof the thirdyear
of the Court'soperationin1981 wasmarkedby the activationof the SecondDivision.The appointment
of three more Justicesof the ThirdDivisioninAugust4,1982 completedthe full membershipof the
Court.
The historicEDSA Revolutionof February1986 that signaledthe beginningof anew dispensation caused
substantial changesinthe entire governmentmachinery,includingthe judiciary.However,boththe
'FreedomConstitution'andthe newConstitutionhave seenfittomaintainthe Sandiganbayanasone of
the principal instrumentsof publicaccountability.Infurtherance of this,itsjurisdictionhasbeen
broadenedtoinclude the so-called'ill-gottenwealth'casesinvestigatedbythe Presidential Commission
on Good Government(PCGG) throughExecutive OrdersNo.14and No.14-A. In the reorganization
program of the newgovernment,the resignationof some of the membersof the Courtwasaccepted
leadingtothe appointmentof anewPresidingJustice inthe personof Hon.FrancisE. Garchitorena.
To furtherstrengthenthe functionalandstructural organizationof the Sandiganbayan,several
amendmentshave beenintroducedtothe original law creatingit,the latestof whichare RepublicActs

4. No.7975 and No.8249. Under these new laws,the jurisdictionof the Sandiganbayanisnow confinedto
casesinvolvingpublicofficialsoccupyingpositionsclassifiedassalarygrade 27 and higher.As
restructured,the Sandiganbayanispresentlycomposedof aPresidingJustice andfourteen(14)
Associate Justiceswhositinfive (5) Divisionsof three Justiceseachinthe trial anddeterminationof
cases.
STATUTORY HISTORY OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN
1. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1486 - CREATINGA SPECIALCOURT TO BE KNOWN AS'SANDIGANBAYAN'
ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgatedJune 11,1978;
2. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1606 - REVISINGPRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1486 CREATINGA SPECIAL
COURT TO BE KNOWN AS'SANDIGANBAYAN'ANDFOROTHER PURPOSES - promulgatedDecember10,
1978;
3. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1629 - AMENDINGPRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1486 CREATINGA SPECIAL
COURT TO BE KNOWN AS'SANDIGANBAYAN',ASREVISEDBYPRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1606 -
promulgatedJuly18,1979;
4. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1822 - PROVIDINGFORTHE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIALOF MEMBERS OF
THE ARMED FORCES CHARGED WITH OFFENSESRELATED TO THE PERFORMANCEOFTHEIR DUTIES -
promulgatedJanuary16, 1981;
5. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.22-A - AMENDINGSECTION 1, P.D.NO.1822, PROVIDINGFORTRIAL BY
COURTS-MARTIALOF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES CHARGED WITH OFFENSESRELATED TO THE
PERFORMANCEOF THEIR DUTIES - promulgatedJanuary16, 1981;
6. BATAS PAMBANSA BLG.129 - THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACTOF1980 - promulgatedAugust
14, 1981;
7. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1850 - PROVIDINGFORTHE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIALOF MEMBERS OF
THE INTEGRATED NATIONALPOLICEANDFURTHER DEFININGTHE JURISDICTION OFCOURTS-MARTIAL
OVERMEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCESOF THE PHILIPPINES - promulgatedOctober4,1982;
8. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1860 - AMENDINGTHE PERTINENTPROVISIONSOFPRESIDENTIALDECREE
NO.1606 AND BATASPAMBANSA BLG.129 RELATIVETO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN
ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgatedJanuary14,1983;
9. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1861 - AMENDINGTHE PERTINENTPROVISIONSOFPRESIDENTIALDECREE
NO.1606 AND BATASPAMBANSA BLG.129 RELATIVETO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN
ANDFOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgatedMarch23, 1983;
10. PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1952 - AMENDING SECTION ONEOF PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1850,
ENTITLED 'PROVIDINGFORTHE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIAL OFMEMBERS OFTHE INTEGRATED
NATIONALPOLICEANDFURTHER DEFININGTHE JURISDICTION OFCOURTS-MARTIAL OVERMEMBERS
OF THE ARMED FORCES OFTHE PHILIPPINES'- promulgatedSeptember9, 1984;
11. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.14 - DEFININGTHE JURISDICTION OVERCASESINVOLVINGTHEILL-GOTTEN
WEALTH OF FORMER PRESIDENTFERDINANDE. MARCOS,MRS. IMELDA R. MARCOS, MEMBERS OF
THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY, CLOSE RELATIVES,SUBORDINATES,CLOSEAND/ORBUSINESS ASSOCIATES,
DUMMIES, AGENTS ANDNOMINEES - promulgatedMay7, 1986;
12. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.14-A - AMENDING EXECUTIVEORDER NO.14 - Promulgated August18,1986;
13. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.101 - FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDETIALDECREE NO.1486, ASAMENDED BY
PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1606 CREATINGA SPECIALCOURT TO BE KNOWN AS'SANDIGANBAYAN' -
promulgatedDecember24,1986;

5. 14. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.184 - AMENDINGSECTION 3 OF PRESIDENTIALDECREE NO.1606 -
promulgatedJune 5,1987.
FUNCTIONALDESCRIPTION
OFFICEOF THE PRESIDINGJUSTICE
Implementsthe policies,executesthe resolutionsandenforcesthe ordersof the CourtEn Banc;
performsthe functionsspecificallyvesteduponhimbylaw,rulesandregulationsorthose implied
therefrom;performsall otherfunctionsanddutiesinherentinhisposition.
OFFICEOF THE CLERK OF COURT
Assiststhe Courtinprovidingthe necessarytechnical andadministrativesupport;exercisessupervision
overthe staff and employees;takescharge of pre andpost adjudicative matters.
LEGAL RESEARCH& TECHNICALSTAFF
Provideslegal andtechnical assistance tothe Courtbyconductinglegal researchandstudies;takes
charge of all legal andrelatedmatters.
OFFICEOF THE DEPUTY CLERK OFCOURT
(1ST DIVISION)
Assiststhe Clerkof Courtinprovidingtechnical andadministrativesupportandassistance tothe First
Divisionof the Court;takescharge of the pre and post adjudicativemattersrelative tocasesassignedto
the FirstDivision.
OFFICEOF THE DEPUTY CLERK OFCOURT
(2ND DIVISION)
Assiststhe Clerkof Courtinprovidingtechnical andadministrativesupportandassistance tothe Second
Divisionof the Court;takescharge of the pre and post adjudicativemattersrelative tocasesassignedto
the SecondDivision.
OFFICEOF THE DEPUTY CLERK OFCOURT
(3RD DIVISION)
Assiststhe Clerkof Courtinprovidingtechnical andadministrativesupportandassistance tothe Third
Divisionof the Court;takescharge of the pre and post adjudicativemattersrelative tocasesassignedto
the Third Division.
OFFICEOF THE DEPUTY CLERK OFCOURT
(4TH DIVISION)
Assiststhe Clerkof Courtinprovidingtechnical andadministrativesupportandassistance tothe Fourth
Divisionof the Court;takescharge of the pre and post adjudicativemattersrelative tocases assignedto
the FourthDivision
OFFICEOF THE DEPUTY CLERK OFCOURT
(5TH DIVISION)
Assiststhe Clerkof Courtinprovidingtechnical andadministrativesupportandassistance tothe Fifth
Divisionof the Court;takescharge of the pre and post adjudicativemattersrelative tocasesassignedto
the FifthDivision.

6. JUDICIALRECORDS DIVISION
Takescharge of docketingof cases;plans,implementsandevaluatesprogramsforthe systematic
managementof judicial records;andperformsotherrelatedfunctions.Preparesentriesof judgment;
issuescopiesof decisions,resolutionsandorders;maintainsasystematicfilingandrecords keeping;and
handlesthe Courtsinformationsystem, monitoringrequestsforstatistical data.
ADMINISTRATIVEDIVISION
Attendstothe manpowerdevelopmentandservice needsof the Court;andperformsall functions
relative toadministrative andpersonnelmatters.Attendstothe procurementandmaintenanceof the
properties,suppliesandequipmentof the Court,includingthe Court'sphysical plantTakescharge of the
collectionanddisbursementof the Court.
BUDGET AND FINANCEDIVISION
Preparesandexecutesthe budgetof the Court;initiatesplansandformulaformore effective utilization
of fundsallottedtothe Court;fiscalizesthe agency'sfinancialinterestincludingdisclosure of deficiencies
incontrol needingcorrections.Keepsaccountingrecordsforthe Court;preparesreportsrequiredbythe
Departmentof BudgetandManagement,CommissiononAudit andothergovernmentagencies.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMDIVISION
Providestechnical servicesrelatedtothe planning,development,implementationandmaintenance of
informationsystems;takescare of all informationandcommunicationstechnologyrequirementsof the
Court.
SECURITY AND SHERIFFSERVICESDIVISION
In charge of the formulationof plans,implementsandevaluatesprogramforthe systematic
managementof securityof the Sandiganbayanpremises,propertyandpersonnelandperformsother
relatedfunctions;takescharge of the formulationof systemsforthe effectiveservicesof Court
processesandenforcementof Writsissuedbythe variousDivisionsof the Court;servesasliaisonoffice
withthe variouslawenforcementagenciesandthe mediaregardingall courtordersandprocesses
issuedbythe variousdivisionsof the Court,andothercourt relatedmatters;takescustodyof all
accusedprocessingtheirbail fortheirtemporarylibertyand/ortoturn-overaccusedwhovoluntarily
surrenderstothe authorizeddetentioncenters;oversee thatall judicialandextra-judicial proceedings
are accomplished;takescharge of the formulationof effectivemanagementandimplementationof all
kindsof court orders/processesandwritscomingfromthe variousdivisionsof the Court.