FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to increase the number of divisions of the Sandiganbayan from its 
present five (5) divisions to fifteen (15) divisions to enhance its capacity to resolve anti-graft 
and corruption cases and to deter further acts of the same which will effectively save billions 
of pesos for the nation. 
As of 31 December 2005, the number of cases pending in the Sandiganbayan is one 
thousand seven hundred eighty-four (2,145). Because of this large number of cases vis-a-vis 
the number of Sandiganbayan Divisions (only five), in many instances, only two (2) hearings 
for every case are conducted every (2) two months. 
The sheer volume of cases being handled by the Sandiganbayan makes it impossible to 
promptly dispose of said cases. It is this sad reality of heavily clogged dockets and the very 
limited number of justices and judges that cause the trial of erring public officials to take 
years to complete. 
Continuous trials would require greater preparation by prosecutors and defense 
counsel at the outset but would reduce h e  amount of time taken for the trial, and reduce the 
possibility of fading memories on the part of witnesses, and the opportunity for interference 
with evidence. With the increased number of divisions and justice, the Sandiganbayan would 
be able to hold continuous trials. 
The Sandiganbayan plays a critical role in fighting graft and corruption. Any delay in 
the resolution of anti-graft cases negatively impacts on its ability to deter others to commit 
similar acts of corruption, The search for a solution to this critical problem of congested 
dockets requires recourse to drastic but creative and economical measures. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly 
requested. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. No. 
25 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SANDIGANBAYAN DIVISIONS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606, 
AS AMENDED BY R.A. NO. 7975 AND R.A. NO. 8249, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House OfRepresentatives in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
The first paragraph of Section 1 of the same decree is hereby further 
amended to read as follows: 
“SECTION 1. Sandiganbayan; Composition; Qualifications; Tenure; Removal and 
Compensation. - A special court, of the same level as the Court of Appeals and 
possessing all the inherent powers of a court of justice, to be known as the 
Sandiganbayan is hefeby created composed of a presiding justice and [fourteen] 
FORTY FOUR (44) associate justices who shall be appointed by the President.” 
SEC. 2. Section 2 of the same decree is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
“SEC. 2. Official Station; Place of Holding Sessions. - The 
Sandiganbayan shall have its principal office in the Metro Manila area. THE 
FIRST TO THIRTEENTH DIVISIONS OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN [and] 
shall hold sessions IN METRO MANILA [thereat] for the trial and 
determination of cases filed with FROM THE GEOGRAPHICAL REGION OF 
LUZON, INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION. 
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THE 
FOURTEENTH 
AND 
FIFTEENTH 
DIVISIONS 
OF 
THE , 
SANDIGANBAYAN SHALL HOLD SESSIONS IN CEBU CITY AND 
CAGAYAN DE OR0 CITY, RESPECTIVELY, FOR THE TRIAL AND 
DETERMINATION 
OF 
CASES 
FILED 
WITH 
IT 
FROM 
THE 
GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF [: Provided, however, That cases originating 
from the principal geographical regions of the country, that is, from Luzon,] 
Visayas AND [or] Mindanao, RESPECTIVELY; [ shall be heard in their 
respective regions of origin except only when the greater convenience of the 
accused and of the witnesses, or other compelling considerations require the 
contrary, in which instance a case originating from one geographical region 
may be heard in another geographical region: ] Provided [furher] 
HOWEVER, That [for this purpose] the presiding justice [shall] MAY 
authorize any division or divisions of the court to hold sessions at any time 
and place outside [Metro Manila] THEIR DESIGNATED STATIONS and, 
where the interest of justice so requires, outside the territorial boundaries of 
the Philippines. The Sandiganbayan may require the services of the personnel 
and the use of facilities of the courts or other government offices where any of 
the divisions is holding sessions and the personnel of such courts or offices 
shall be subject to the orders of the Sandiganbayan. 
SEC. 3. Section 3 of the same decree is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
“sEC.3. Divisions of the Court; Quorum. - The Sandiganbayan shall sit 
in [five] FIFTEEN [(5)] 15 divisions of three justices each. The [five] FIFTEEN 
may sit at the same time. 
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Three Justices shall constitute a quorum for sessions in divisions: 
Provided, That when the required quorum for the particular division cannot 
be had due to the legal disqualification or temporary disability of a Justice or of 
a vacancy occurring therein, the Presiding Justice may designate an Associate 
Justice of the Court, to be determined by strict rotation on the basis of the 
reverse order of precedence, to sit as a special member of said division with all 
the rights and prerogatives of a regular member of said division in the trial and 
determination of a case or cases assigned thereto, unless the operation of the 
SANDIGANBAYAN [court] will be prejudiced thereby, PROVIDED, THAT 
IN CASES BEFORE THE SANDIGANBAYAN DIVISIONS STATIONED IN 
CEBU CITY AND CAGAYAN DE OR0 CITY, THE SENIOR ASSOCIATE 
JUSTICES OF THE COURT OF APPEALS IN THOSE CITIES DULY 
AUTHORIZED BY THE COURT OF APPEALS PRESIDING JUSTICE FOR 
THE PURPOSE SHALL IMMEDIATELY MAKE THE DESIGNATION, UPON 
REQUEST OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASSOCIATE JUSTICES OF THE 
COURT OF APPEALS DIVISIONS IN CEBU CITY AND CAGAYAN DE OR0 
CITY, RESPECTIVELY [in which case the President shall upon the 
recommendation of the Presiding Justice, designate any Justice or Justices of 
the Court of Appeals to sit temporarily therein].” 
SEC. 4. Separabiliv Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
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SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
therefore, inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 6. Effectivity Clause - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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