SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and 2 ney © a
“Representative Maximo B. Rodriquez, Jr. =
House Bill No. 3992
EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘According to Section 6 of the 1973 Constitution, which Section 4 of the 1987.
Constitution affirmed, the Sandiganbayan 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.

It is therefore the duty of the Sandiganbayan to go after corrupt public
officials. Unfortunately, the present composition of the Sandiganbayan cannot handle
all the cases that are being filed. This is unfortunate not only because the
Sandiganbayan is over worked but also because this means that more and more
government officials are being accused of graft and corruption.

In order to address this problem, it is only proper to establish two more
divisions of the Sandiganbayan especially for the Visayas and Mindanao Regions
The number of cases from these regions is increasing and it would more. efficient that
there are additional divisions in these areas to handle these cases.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is eamestly requested

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriquez, Jr.

House Bill No. 3982

AN ACT
CREATING TWO ADDITIONAL DIVISIONS OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 1606, AS AMENDED
BY REPUBLIC ACT 7975 AND REPUBLIC ACT 8249

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

SECTION 1. The first paragraph of Section 1 of Presidential Decree 1606, as
amended by Republic Act 7975 and Republic Act 8249 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 hereby
created composed of a Presiding Justice and [fourteen] TWENTY
Associate Justices who shall be appointed by the President.

SEC 2. Section 3 of Presidential Decree 1606, as amended by Republic Act 7975
and Republic Act 8249 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

Section 3. Division of the Court; Quorum — The Sandiganbayan
shall sit in [five (5)] SEVEN (7) divisions of three Justices each.
The [five (5)] SEVEN (7) may sit at the same time.

THE FIRST FIVE DIVISIONS SHALL BE STATIONED IN THE
METRO MANILA AREA, THE SIXTH DIVISION SHALL BE IN
STATIONED IN ILOILO CITY FOR CASES COMING FROM THE
VISAYAS REGION, AND THE SEVENTH DIVISION SHALL BE
STATIONED IN GENERAL SANTOS CITY FOR CASES COMING
FROM THE MINDANAO REGION.

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 qualification 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 the trial and determination of a case or cases
assigned thereto, unless the operation of the court will be
prejudice thereby, 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 3. Appropriations — The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current fiscal year appropriations of the
Sandiganbayan. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 4, Transitory Provision ~ This Act shall apply to all cases pending in any court
over which trial has not begun as of the approval hereof

SEC 5, Separabilty of Provisions ~ If for any reason any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall
remain in full force and effect

SEC 6, Repealing Clause - All acts, decrees, general orders and circulars, or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC 7. Effectivity~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,