The Sandiganbayan is a special anti-graft court that tries criminal cases involving graft and corruption and other offenses committed by public officers and employees in relation to their office. Its jurisdiction generally covers cases where the public official occupies a position classified as salary grade 27 or higher, and specific high-ranking officials enumerated by law (such as certain national and local officials, members of Congress, judges, and heads of agencies), regardless of salary grade. Covered offenses include violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), bribery, malversation, and plunder, as well as other crimes committed by such officials in relation to their office. Where the accused official is below salary grade 27 (and not among those specifically enumerated), the case generally falls under the regular courts (Regional Trial Court), not the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman prosecutes many of these cases before the Sandiganbayan.
When high officials are charged with graft or corruption, they are not tried in ordinary courts. They face the Sandiganbayan — the special anti-graft court.
What the Sandiganbayan Is
The Sandiganbayan is a special court that tries criminal cases involving graft and corruption and other offenses committed by public officers and employees in relation to their office. It concentrates expertise in prosecuting official misconduct.
Which Officials It Covers
Its jurisdiction generally covers:
- Public officials occupying a position classified as salary grade 27 or higher; and
- Specific high-ranking officials enumerated by law — such as certain national and local officials, members of Congress, judges, and heads of agencies — regardless of salary grade.
Which Offenses It Covers
Covered offenses include:
- Violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019);
- Bribery and malversation;
- Plunder; and
- Other crimes committed by such officials in relation to their office.
The Salary-Grade 27 Threshold
The salary grade 27 line is the key sorting rule:
- If the accused official is salary grade 27 or above (or specifically enumerated), the case is generally with the Sandiganbayan; while
- If the official is below salary grade 27 (and not among those specifically enumerated), the case generally falls under the regular courts (RTC).
The Role of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman investigates and prosecutes many of these cases before the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman's prosecutorial arm handles graft and corruption complaints against public officials, which then proceed to the Sandiganbayan (or the RTC, depending on rank).
Practical Takeaways
- The Sandiganbayan is the special anti-graft court for graft, bribery, malversation, and plunder by public officials in relation to office;
- It generally covers officials at salary grade 27 or higher and specifically enumerated high officials, regardless of grade;
- Lower-ranked officials' cases generally go to the regular courts — and the Ombudsman prosecutes many of these cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Sandiganbayan? A special anti-graft court that tries criminal cases involving graft and corruption and other offenses committed by public officers and employees in relation to their office.
Which officials are tried by the Sandiganbayan? Generally those occupying a position classified as salary grade 27 or higher, and specific high-ranking officials enumerated by law, such as members of Congress, judges, and heads of agencies, regardless of salary grade.
What offenses fall under the Sandiganbayan? Violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019), bribery, malversation, plunder, and other crimes committed by covered officials in relation to their office.
Where are cases against lower-ranked officials tried? Where the accused official is below salary grade 27 and not among those specifically enumerated, the case generally falls under the regular courts (Regional Trial Court), not the Sandiganbayan.
This commentary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney.
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