Republic of the Philippines

Bouse of Representatives
Queson City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 2 Section 27 of the 1987 Constitution: The State Shall Promote honesty and integrity
in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.
“Specifically, the graft courts of the Sandiganbayan”

Article 3 Section 16 of the 1987 Constitution: All persons shall have the right to a speedy _
disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

‘As evidenced by the study sponsored by the Supreme Court and the World Bank entitled
“Philippines: Formulation of case Decongestion and Delay Reduction Strategy Project - Phase
1” pre-RA 10660, on average, each justice had a workload of 441 cases. Since Sandiganbayan
Justices worked in only Five (5) divisions, each division effectively handled more than 1,000 cases
per year.

While the addition of an additional TWO (2) divisions by virtue of RA 10660 is well intentioned, it
only marginally reduces the number each justice must work on from 441 to 315 yearly. This bill
hopes to further reduce the workload of each justice from 315 yearly to an average of 221 yearly
by increasing the number of justices from 21 to 30 and adding THREE (3) more Divisions,
complementing the existing Seven (7) Divisions thereof

{non fort to further reduce the workioad of Senciganbayen juslne to provide a speedy
of cases, as well as prevent late disposition due to prescription and inordinate
delays, the approval of this bill is eamestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quejon City
mo
“SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5928

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT FURTHER INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SANDIGANBAYAN ASSOCIATE
JUSTICES AND DIVISIONS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL
DECREE NO. 1606, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7975 AND REPUBLIC ACT
8294, AND REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10660.

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1, Section 1, first paragraph, of Presidential Decree no, 1606 is hereby further
amended to read as follows:

"Section 1. Sandiganbayan; Composition; Qualifications; Tenure; Removal and
Composition - 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 hereby
created composed of @ presiding justice and [fourteen] TWENTY-NINE (29) associate
justices who shall be appointed by the President.”

Section 2. The first paragraph of Section 3 of the same decree is hereby further amended to
read as follows: "

"Section 3. Divisions of the Court; Quorum- The Sandiganbayan shall sit in TEN (10)
divisions of three justices each. The TEN (10) divisions may sit at the same time. The
first FIVE (5) divisions Shall be stationed in the Metro Manila area, THREE (3) divisions
shall be stationed in one or more cities in the Visayas for cases coming from the Visayas
fegion, and another TWO (2) divisions shall be stationed in one or more cities in
Mindanao for cases coming from the Mindanao region. *

Section 3. Funding and Appropriations.- The amount necessary to cary out the
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the
Sandiganbayan. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its full implementation shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


fh the arose ts, decrees, general orders and circulars, or pats thereof
‘win ine Prowsions of his Act are hereby repealed or modified secon

Section 5. Re
inconsistent

spore ng shal take eflctfiteen (15) days after its complete publication in
(2) newspapers of general Circulation.

at least two (:

Section 6. Effectivity.

Approved,