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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OE THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE P H IL im N E S  
)
Second Rcgidnr Session 
)
4 ■ f
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r:i4j
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S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 
1551
*17 
AUG 1 5  
P 2 : 3 3
RECElVt j
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 
1606, AS AMENDED, OR THE LAW CREATING THE 
SANDIGANBAYAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill is remedial and confirm atory in nature.
Republic Act (RA) No. 10660 is the latest am endm ent to Presidential Decree (PD) 
No. 1606, as am ended.1 By its language in specifically am ending Section 3 of PD No. 
1606, it is m eant to increase the num ber of members in the Sandiganbayan, from fifteen 
(15) to tw enty-one (21) Justices, eiz:
"SEC. 3. Consfitntion of the Divisions; Qiionnii. - The Sniulis^nnlun/mi 
shnll sit in sexvn (7) divisions of three (3) nienilvrs each.
X X X . "
Verily, RA No. 10660 intends to increase the num ber of members in the 
Sandiganbayan. Obviously, a division of 7 of 3 members each only means 21 Justices.
However, and this is why this corrective m easure is being proposed, RA 10660 
fails to am end Section 1 of PD 1606, as am ended. Currentlv, Section 1 still reads:
"Section 1. Sandigiwbaijan; composition; qnnlificntions; tenure; 
removal; and compensation. 
-
 A special court, .v .v a, to he knoivn as the 
Sandigaidm/an is herein/ created composed of a Presidinj^ Instice and fourteen 
Associate Instices x x a. "(underscoring supplied)
Hence, this bill seeks to am end Section 1 of PD 1606, as am ended, not only to 
confirm and remedy w hat RA No. 10660 intends to provide but also to avoid any 
questions in the law to subvert its purpose and intent.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED.
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
Amended by RA Nos. 7975 and 8249 in 1995 and 1997, respectively.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
.  
u, [.u  , ,
flUGl5 P2:33
S E N A T E
Senate Bill No. 1551
RE(.l;viul\.
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 
1606, AS AMENDED, OR THE LAW CREATING THE 
SANDIGANBAYAN
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1606, as am ended, is hereby
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further am ended as follows:
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"Section 1. Sandiganbayan; composition; qualifications; tenure; removal; 
and compensation. — A special court, of the same level as tlie Court of Appeals 
and possessing all the inherent powers of a court of justice, to be known as the 
Samligaubayau is hereby created composed of a Presiding Justice and [fourteen] 
TWENTY Associate Justices who shall be appointed by the President.
X X  X . "
Section 2. All laws, decrees, orders, regulations and policies inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed a n d /o r am ended accordingly.
Section 3. This Act shall have a retroactive effect on 28 July 2014 or the date 
w hen Republic Act No. 10660 took effect after its publication in two (2) new spapers of 
general circulation or in the Official Gazette.
Approved,