Jump to content

Sandiganbayan

From Wikipedia

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Use Philippine English Template:Infobox court

Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists

File:Buildings and Roads in Quezon City Commonwealth Area SJasminum 14.jpg
Facade in 2023

The Sandiganbayan (Template:Lit[1]) is a special appellate collegial court in the Philippines that has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and other offenses committed by public officers and employees with a salary grade 27 and up,[2] including those in government-owned and controlled corporations. The special court was established by Presidential Decree No. 1486. It was subsequently modified by Presidential Decree No. 1606 and by Republic Acts 7975, 8249 and 10660.[3][4][5][6][7] It is equal in rank to the Court of Appeals, and consists of fourteen Associate Justices and one Presiding Justice.[8] The Office of the Ombudsman owns exclusive authority to bring cases to the Sandiganbayan.[9]

The Sandiganbayan is housed in the Centennial Building, Commonwealth Avenue, National Government Center, Diliman, Quezon City.

History

File:Sandiganbayan (Commonwealth, Quezon City; 2017-03-27).jpeg
Sandiganbayan

The Sandiganbayan was established under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos on June 11, 1978, by Presidential Decree No. 1486 in the 1973 Constitution. The court was equal in rank to the Regional Trial Courts (then known as the Courts of First Instance). On December 10, 1978, Presidential Decree No. 1606 elevated the ranking of the Sandiganbayan to match that of the Court of Appeals, the second-highest judicial court in the Philippines. The Sandiganbayan began operations on February 12, 1979.[10]

Amendments were introduced in Republic Acts No. 7975 and No. 8249, after the EDSA Revolution in 1986, which limited the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan to "cases involving public officials occupying positions classified as salary grade 27 and higher."[10]

The Sandiganbayan currently sits in seven divisions of three justices each, as per R.A. No. 10660, amending P.D. No. 1606.[11]

Sandiganbayan Building II

In October 2024, CJ Alexander Gesmundo led the groundbreaking for the 13-storey Sandiganbayan Building II. The green building will rise on a 2,588-square meter property adjacent to the Sandiganbayan Centennial Building. Designed by the University of the Philippines College of Engineering, the Building Research Services with the National Engineering Center is responsible for the preparation of the Detailed Architectural and Engineering Design.[12]

Martial law

When the Sandiganbayan began operations in 1979, it was composed of only one division (with Hon. Manuel R. Pamaran as Presiding Justice and two Associate Justices) and a 15-membered skeleton crew. In 1981, a second division was launched. A third division was formed on August 4, 1982.[10]

Aquino investigation

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In the wake of the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr. in August 1983, Ferdinand Marcos submitted the case for an immediate trial to the Sandiganbayan. Marcos' critics, who included business leaders and church leaders, claimed that the Sandiganbayan had no experience in trying a murder and demanded an appointment of an imperial prosecutor and independent judicial body instead.[13]

In 1984, the 26 people accused in the assassination of Aquino were acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in a 90-page verdict. The verdict disregarded all findings of the Agrava Commission, which was appointed to investigate the assassination.[14]

On June 13, 1985, the Sandiganbayan, with the aid of the commission, threw out the case against General Fabian Ver, the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, together with seven other military men. The Sandiganbayan voted for the exclusion of their testimonies in that they were self-incriminatory and inadmissible as evidence. The Supreme Court upheld this decision by a vote of 10–3 in August. Ver was soon reinstated as chief of staff by Marcos on December 2.[15]

Post-martial law

1987 Constitution

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

File:Corazon Aquino inauguration.jpg
Corazon Aquino inauguration

On February 2, 1987, a new constitution was ratified under President Corazon Aquino. The 1987 Constitution dictated the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances between the executive, legislature, and judiciary branches.[16]

The 1987 Constitution expanded the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan to include ill-gotten wealth cases investigated by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG). In April 1994, Imelda Marcos and three former officials of the Ministry of Human Settlements (MHS) were indicted for the misappropriation of PHP97.9 million in MHS funds in 1985. At the same time, however, the Sandiganbayan dismissed charges against Imelda Marcos in connection with the sale of $125.9 million in Central Bank Treasury notes in the 1980s.[17]

Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Ombudsman Act of 1989, the Office of the Ombudsman independently monitors all three branches of the government for political corruption.

Laws on graft and corruption in the Philippines

Template:Further Laws on graft and corruption have been in effect as early as the 1950s, before the creation of the Sandiganbayan. Graft and corruption laws govern both public officers and natural persons.[18] The collection of these laws is overseen by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 1379

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act is a law that stipulates that the Philippine Government shall repress certain acts of both public officers and the natural persons that may constitute graft or corruption. Acts that are subject under these laws include graft, divulging otherwise private information, negligence in warranted requests, undue injury by a public officer to any party – private or government – in the form of unwarranted benefits or disadvantages.[18]

In the case of unexplained accrual of wealth, R.A. No. 1379 states that a petition may be filed against any public officer who has acquired property unlawfully, be it through graft or any form of corruption. This petition should come from the Solicitor General of the Republic of the Philippines as per complaint by a taxpayer.

Republic Act No. 7080

Any public officer who amasses a certain amount of ill-gotten wealth (at least fifty-million pesos) through means of criminal acts – be it by himself or in connivance with other, shall be subject to reclusion perpetua, a form of imprisonment for life. Any accomplice shall be sentenced with the same.[19]

Republic Act. No. 9184

Template:See also Under the Government Procurement Reform Act, public officers who commits any of the following who colludes with private individuals performs the following illegal acts in RA 9184 will suffer an imprisonment of not less than six years and one day, but not more than fifteen years.

Jurisdiction

File:Position of the Sandiganbayan in the Philippine judicial system.png
Position of the Sandiganbayan in the Philippine judicial system as presented by the Department of Budget and Management.[20]

To determine whether the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction, lawyers look into two criteria, namely: the nature of the offense and the salary grade of the public official.[21]

The Sandiganbayan shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over:

  • Violation of Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Law (RA 3019)
  • Forfeitures of Illegally Acquired Wealth (RA 1379)
  • Crimes committed by public officers namely
    • Direct, Indirect and Qualified Bribery
    • Corruption of public officials
  • Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed in relation to their office by public officials.
  • Civil and Criminal Cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Orders 1, 2, 14 & 14-A issued in 1986
  • Petitions for issuance of Writ of mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, habeas corpus, injunction and other ancillary writs and processes in aid of its appellate jurisdiction; Provided, jurisdiction is not exclusive of the Supreme Court.
  • Petitions for Quo Warranto arising or that may arise in cases filed or that may be filed under EO 1, 2, 14 & 14- A

Provided that the accused belongs to a salary grade of 27 or higher, the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over:

  • Violation of Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards (RA 6713)
  • Violation of the Plunder Law (RA 7080)
  • Violation of The Heinous Crime Law (RA 7659)
  • Violation of The Anti-Money Laundering Law when committed by a public officer (RA 9160)
  • Presidential Decree 46 referred to as the gift-giving decree which makes it punishable for any official or employee to receive directly or indirectly and for the private person to give or offer to give any gift, present or other valuable thing on any occasion including Christmas, when such gift, present or valuable thing is given by reason of his official position, regardless of whether or not the same is for past favors or the giver hopes or expects to receive a favor or better treatment in the future from the public official or employee concerned in the discharge of his official functions.
    • Included within the prohibition is the throwing of parties or entertainment in honor of the official or employee or his immediate relatives.
  • Presidential Decree 749 which grants immunity from prosecution to any person who voluntarily gives information about any violation of Art.210, 211 or 212 of the RPC, RA 3019, Sec.345 of the NIRC, Sec. 3604 of the Customs and Tariff Code and other provisions of the said Codes penalizing abuse or dishonesty on the part of the public officials concerned and other laws, rules and regulations penalizing graft, corruption and other forms of official abuse and who willingly testifies against the public official or employee subject to certain conditions.

Private individuals can also be sued in cases before the Sandiganbayan if they are alleged to be in conspiracy with the public officer.[21]

The Sandiganbayan is vested with appellate jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions or orders of the Regional Trial Court whether in the exercise of their original or appellate jurisdiction over crimes and civil cases falling within the original exclusive jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan but which were committed by public officers below Salary Grade 27.[21]

Composition

The Sandiganbayan has a total of fifteen departments (two head offices, twelve divisions, and one Legal Research and Technical Staff) and a total of 385 authorized positions. 335 of 385 of these positions are filled.[22]

Electoral procedure

According to the Presidential Decree No. 1606, Section 1, the Presiding Justice and all Associate Justices shall be appointed by the president, as amended by Republic Act 8249.[23]

Appointment of the Court Officials and other employees, however, is not dependent on the president. According to Rule II, Section 7 of the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan, "The Supreme Court shall appoint the Clerk of Court, the Division Clerks of Court and all other personnel of the Sandiganbayan upon recommendation of the Sandiganbayan en banc chosen from a list of qualified applicants prepared in accordance with the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations."[24]

Qualifications

Presidential Decree No. 1606 further states that "No person shall be appointed Presiding Justice or Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan; unless he is natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years of age and for at least ten years has been a judge of a court of record or been engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines or has held office requiring admission to the bar as a pre-requisite for a like period.[23]

Justices

Division and roles

The Sandiganbayan originally had three divisions that assisted the Office of the Presiding Justice, according to the Article XIII of the 1973 Constitution. The number of divisions was raised to five divisions in 1995. In 2015, through the Republic Act 10660, under the Aquino Administration, the number of divisions was expanded to seven divisions.[25] Currently, the Sandiganbayan has Office of the Presiding Justice, Office of the Clerk of Court, Legal Research and Technical Staff, seven divisions (Office of the Deputy Clerk of Court), and five other divisions namely Judicial Records Division, Administrative Division, Budget and Finance Division, Management Information System Division, Security and Sheriff Services Division. The functions and roles of these offices and divisions are:[23][26]

  • Office of the Presiding Justice – Enjoy precedence over the other members of the Sandiganbayan in all official functions; implements the policies, executes the resolutions and enforces the orders of the Court en banc; performs the functions specifically vested upon him by law, rules and regulations or those implied therefrom; performs all other functions and duties inherent in his position.
  • Office of the Clerk of Court – The Clerk of Court is the administrative officer of the Sandiganbayan. He shall discharge his functions under the control and supervision of the Sandiganbayan en banc through the Presiding Justice. As administrative officer, he shall take direct charge of the administrative operations of the Sandiganbayan and exercise general supervision over its subordinate officials and employees except those belonging to the staff of the Presiding Justice and the Associate Justices. He shall assist the Presiding Justice in the formulation of programs and policies for consideration and action of the Sandiganbayan en banc. The Clerk of Court shall act as its secretariat and prepare its agenda, minutes of meetings and resolutions.
  • Legal Research and Technical Staff – Provides legal and technical assistance to the Court by conducting legal research and studies; takes charge of all legal and related matters.
  • Office of the Deputy Clerk of Court (seven divisions) – Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to their particular Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the First Division.
  • Judicial Records Division – Takes charge of docketing of cases; plans, implements and evaluates programs for the systematic management of judicial records; and performs other related functions. Prepares entries of judgment; issues copies of decisions, resolutions and orders; maintains a systematic filing and records keeping; and handles the Court's information system, monitoring requests for statistical data.
  • Administrative Division – Attends to the manpower development and service needs of the Court; and performs all functions relative to administrative and personnel matters. Attends to the procurement and maintenance of the properties, supplies and equipment of the Court, including the Court's physical plant Takes charge of the collection and disbursement of the Court.
  • Budget and Finance Division – Prepares and executes the budget of the Court; initiates plans and formula for more effective utilization of funds allotted to the Court; fiscalizes the agency's financial interest including disclosure of deficiencies in control needing corrections. Keeps accounting records for the Court; prepares reports required by the Department of Budget and Management, Commission on Audit and other government agencies.
  • Management Information System Division – Provides technical services related to the planning, development, implementation and maintenance of information systems; takes care of all information and communications technology requirements of the Court.
  • Security and Sheriff Services Division – In charge of the formulation of plans, implements and evaluates program for the systematic management of security of the Sandiganbayan premises, property and personnel and performs other related functions; takes charge of the formulation of systems for the effective services of Court processes and enforcement of Writs issued by the various Divisions of the Court; serves as liaison office with the various law enforcement agencies and the media regarding all court orders and processes issued by the various divisions of the Court, and other court related matters; takes custody of all accused processing their bail for their temporary liberty and/or to turn-over accused who voluntarily surrenders to the authorized detention centers; oversee that all judicial and extrajudicial proceedings are accomplished; takes charge of the formulation of effective management and implementation of all kinds of court orders or processes and writs coming from the various divisions of the Court.

Cases

Procedures

The Sandiganbayan holds regular sessions in its principal office in Metro Manila. Sessions may be held outside of Metro Manila when authorized by the Presiding Justice. Cases are heard either en banc or more commonly, by divisions.[27]

Cases are distributed among the divisions through a raffle system. The assignment of a case to a division is permanent, regardless of changes in constitution. Justices may inhibit (i.e., recuse) themselves from a case if they served as Ponente, the Member to whom the Court, after its deliberation on the merits of a case, assigns the writing of its decision or resolution in the case[28]. in the appealed decision of the lower court, or if they or their family members are personally related with the case, or for any other compelling reason. In case of inhibition (recusal) or disqualification, the case will remain with the same division, but the recused justice will be replaced.[27]

Cases may reach the Sandiganbayan either through an appeal from a Regional Trial Court or by original petition filed with the Sandiganbayan.[27] After a case is raffled to a Division, the accused party must be arraigned within thirty days. A pre-trial conference is then held to reach an agreement and issue a pre-trial order. The case is then taken to trial.[29] Following the Speedy Trial Act of 1998, no trial may exceed six months from its starting date. However, the act also allows for certain delays that are excluded from the computed time of trial, including delays caused by other related proceedings involving the accused, absence of the accused or essential witness, and mental or physical incompetence of the accused to stand trial.[30]

Adjudication

Cases are deemed submitted for decision after the last brief, pleading, or memorandum is filed, or after the deadline for doing so has passed. All adjudicatory action is exercised through the divisions of the Sandiganbayan. The rendition of judgment or final order is based on the unanimous vote of the three Justices in the deciding division. When the Sandiganbayan sits en banc to resolve motions and other incidents, at least eight justices must vote in order to adopt a resolution.[27]

In a joint trial involving multiple cases, a joint or separate judgment may be rendered by the division. In cases involving multiple accused, the division may also render judgment for one or more of the accused by a unanimous vote.[27]

If a unanimous vote cannot be reached in any case, a special division of five will be formed to decide the case by majority vote. Promulgation is done by reading the judgment aloud with the accused present along with any Justice from the deciding division. Decisions are published in the Official Gazette or the official website of the Sandiganbayan.[27]

Appeals

In general, a party sentenced to any penalty lower than death, life imprisonment, or reclusion perpetua may appeal by filing a motion for reconsideration or a motion for new trial within fifteen days of promulgation of judgment. If a new trial is granted, the previous judgment will be overruled and the new judgment rendered. New trials must also not exceed six months in duration, albeit allowing for certain delays as specified in the Speedy Trial Act.[30] For civil cases, the accused party may file for a petition for a writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court. If the party files an appeal to the Supreme Court, any motion of reconsideration filed to the Sandiganbayan will be deemed abandoned.[27]

If the accused party wishes to appeal from a sentence of life imprisonment or reclusion perpetua, a notice of appeal is filed with the Sandiganbayan and presented to the adverse party. In cases where the Sandiganbayan sentences the accused to death penalty, an automatic appeal follows where the Supreme Court will conduct a review of judgment before the final decision is rendered.[27]

Notable cases

Jinggoy Estrada vs. Sandiganbayan

In June 2014, plunder charges against former Philippine senator Jinggoy Estrada and several other members of Congress allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam run by Janet Lim-Napoles were filed by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan. Estrada was accused of plundering ₱183 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund.[31]

Withdrawal of justices

In December 2014, all three justices of the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division (Associate Justices Roland Jurado, Alexander Gesmundo and Ma. Theresa Gómez-Estoesta) assigned to the case against Estrada recused themselves from the case for "personal reasons". This marked the first time in the court's history that an entire division withdrew from hearing a case. Though the justices refused to elaborate on their reasons for recusal, the withdrawal was said to have been due to "pressure" from the public to deny Estrada's petition for bail.[32]

Imelda Marcos vs. Sandiganbayan

In 1991, ten counts of graft were filed against former first lady Imelda Marcos before the Sandiganbayan. Marcos was accused of creating private Swiss foundations during her time as governor of Metro Manila, between 1978 and 1984. She was also accused of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act by holding financial interests in multiple private enterprises. The government has since uncovered Marcos Swiss deposits amounting to $658 million.[33]

Another corruption case against Marcos involving "unlawfully acquired" art collections amounting to $24 million has been brought to the Sandiganbayan by appeals from the Presidential Commission on Good Government and the Office of the Solicitor General. The case is being handled by the Special First Division of the Sandiganbayan.[33]

Delays in court proceedings

The case against Imelda Marcos has been ongoing for over 26 years due to multiple causes of delay in court proceedings. In 2017, Marcos was absent from what was scheduled to be her last day of trial for the graft case. In the same year, the trial was reset by the Fifth Division due to the failure of the defense to present their last evidence in the case.[33]

Membership

Template:Hatnote

Incumbent justices

The Sandiganbayan consists of a Presiding justice and twenty associate justices. Among the current members of the Court, Sarah Jane Fernandez is the longest-serving justice, with a tenure of Template:Age in days nts days (Template:Ayd) as of Template:FULLDATE; the most recent justices to enter the court are Hans Christian T. Nocom and Fritz Bryn Anthony M. Delos Santos, whose tenures began on September 23, 2025.
Number of Incumbent JusticesIncrease by 2 (appointment of Hans Christian Nocom and Fritz Bryn Anthony Delos Santos as Justices on Template:Dts)

Office Justice
Template:Small
Date Appointed[34] Appointed by Date of Retirement
Template:Small[35]
Replacing
Presiding Justice Template:Hs Geraldine Faith Abracia Econg
Template:Small
Template:Dts[36] Marcos, Jr. Template:Dts Template:HsCabotaje-Tang
Senior Associate Justice Template:Hs Sarah Jane Fernandez
Template:Small
Template:Dts[37] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Ong
Associate Justice Template:Sortname
Template:Small
Template:Dts[38] Template:Sortname Template:Dts New Seat
Associate Justice Template:Hs Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega
Template:Small
Template:Dts[38] Template:Sortname Template:Dts New Seat
Associate Justice Template:HsKarl B. Miranda
Template:Small
Template:Dts[38] Template:Sortname Template:Dts New Seat
Associate Justice Template:Hs Zaldy V. Trespreses
Template:Small
Template:Dts[38] Template:Sortname Template:Dts New Seat
Associate Justice Template:Hs Lorifel Lacap-Pahimna
Template:Small
Template:Dts[39] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Inoturan
Associate Justice Template:Hs Edgardo M. Caldona
Template:Small
Template:Dts[40] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Hernandez
Associate Justice Template:Hs Bayani H. Jacinto
Template:Small
Template:Dts Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Jurado
Associate Justice Template:Hs Maryann E. Corpus-Mañalac
Template:Small
Template:Dts[41] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Cornejo
Associate Justice Template:Hs Kevin Narce B. Vivero
Template:Small
Template:Dts[42] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Martires
Associate Justice Template:Hs Georgina Dumpit-Hidalgo
Template:Small
Template:Dts[43] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Ponferrada
Associate Justice Template:Hs Ronald Bautista Moreno
Template:Small
Template:Dts[44] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Gesmundo
Associate Justice Template:Hs Arthur Oliveros Malabaguio
Template:Small
Template:Dts[45] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Cruz
Associate Justice Template:Hs Juliet Marquez Manalo-San Gaspar
Template:Small
Template:Dts[46] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Quiroz
Associate Justice Template:Hs J. Ermin Ernest Louie Ramirez Miguel
Template:Small
Template:Dts[47] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs Herrera Jr.
Associate Justice Template:Hs Gener Malalian Gito
Template:Small
Template:Dts[47] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Hs de la Cruz
Associate Justice Template:Hs Lord Apalisoc Villanueva
Template:Small
Template:Dts[48] Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Sortname
Associate Justice Template:Hs Hans Chester Nocom
Template:Small
Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".[49] Template:Sortname Script error: No such module "Date table sorting". Template:Hs B. Fernandez
Associate Justice Template:Hs Fritz Bryn Anthony Delos Santos
Template:Small
Script error: No such module "Date table sorting".[50] Template:Sortname Script error: No such module "Date table sorting". Template:Hs Econg
Associate Justice Template:Sortname Template:Hs Gomez-Estoesta

Divisions

Post First Division Second Division Third Division Fourth Division
Chairperson M. Mendoza-Arcega G. Econg
Template:Small
K. Miranda M. Musñgi
Members Template:Ubl Template:Ubl Template:Ubl Template:Ubl
Post Fifth Division Sixth Division Seventh Division
Chairperson Z. Trespreses S. Fernandez
Template:Small
L. Pahimna
Members Template:Ubl Template:Ubl Template:Ubl

Membership Timeline (Econg Court)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Demographics

By appointing President

President Total

(Percentage)

Justices
Aquino III 6
(Template:Percentage)
Template:Ubl
Duterte 8
(Template:Percentage)
Template:Ubl
Bongbong Marcos 6
(Template:Percentage)
Template:Ubl
Vacant 1
(Template:Percentage)

By gender

Gender Total
(Percentage)
Justices
Male 13

(Template:Percentage)

Template:Ubl
Female 7
(Template:Percentage)
Template:Ubl
Vacant 1
(Template:Percentage)

By Tenure

Retirement year Total
(Percentage)
Justices
2027 1
Template:Small
K. Miranda
2030 1
Template:Small
K. Vivero
2031 1
Template:Small
L. Pahimna
2034 1
Template:Small
G. Hidalgo
2035 3
Template:Small
Template:Ubl
2036 1
Template:Small
M. Corpus-Mañalac
2037 1
Template:Small
G. Econg
Template:Small
2039 2
Template:Small
Template:Ubl
2040 2
Template:Small
Template:Ubl
2041 3
Template:Small
Template:Ubl
2041 1
Template:Small
Z. Trespreses
2045 1
Template:Small
L. Villanueva
2054 1
Template:Small
H. Nocom
2055 1
Template:Small
F. Delos Santos
Vacant 1
(Template:Percentage)

Roll of Sandiganbayan Justices (1978–present)

Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr
1 Template:Sortname December 10, 1978 PJ Marcos, Sr. + First Presiding Justice March 31, 1986
2 Template:Sortname December 10, 1978 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran June 11, 1981
3 Template:Sortname December of 10, 1978Template:Efn-lr AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran March 5, 1996
4 Template:Sortname December 8, 1980 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran May 16, 1986
5 Template:Sortname December 8, 1980 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran July 18, 1992
6 Template:Sortname December 8, 1980 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran December 15, 1983
7 Template:Sortname November 20, 1981 AJ Marcos, Sr. Fernandez Pamaran May 18, 1988
8 Template:Sortname August 4, 1982 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran March 10, 1984
9 Template:Sortname August 4, 1982 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran
10 Template:Sortname August 4, 1982 AJ Marcos, Sr. + Pamaran May 16, 1986
11 Template:Sortname October 7, 1984 AJ Marcos, Sr. Kallos Pamaran July 5, 1995
12 Template:Sortname October 7, 1984 AJ Marcos, Sr. Purisima Pamaran May 16, 1986
13 Template:Sortname October 7, 1984 AJ Marcos, Sr. Consolacion Pamaran
14 Template:Sortname Apr 18, 1986 PJ C. Aquino Pamaran Template:Small January 16, 2002
15 Template:Sortname May 16, 1986 AJ C. Aquino None Garchitorena July 18, 1995
16 Template:Sortname May 21, 1986 AJ C. Aquino None Garchitorena January 3, 1990
17 Template:Sortname May 22, 1986 AJ C. Aquino None Garchitorena March 15, 2001
18 Template:Sortname May 30, 1986 AJ C. Aquino None Garchitorena February 14, 1998
19 Template:Sortname Dec 2, 1988 AJ C. Aquino Jabson Garchitorena January 16, 1993
20 Template:Sortname March 13, 1990 AJ C. Aquino Template:Sortname Garchitorena October 11, 1999
21 Template:Sortname September 14, 1992 AJ Ramos Molina Garchitorena December 17, 1993
22 Template:Sortname May 10, 1993 AJ Ramos Gorospe Garchitorena February 28, 2003
February 26, 2003
Template:Small
PJ Macapagal-Arroyo Garchitorena Template:Small February 10, 2004
23 Template:Sortname November 28, 1994 AJ Ramos Atienza Garchitorena February 14, 1998
24 Template:Sortname August 28, 1995 AJ Ramos Amores Garchitorena
25 Edilberto Sandoval March 11, 1996Template:Efn-lr AJ Ramos Hermosisima Jr. Garchitorena September 17, 2010
September 17, 2010 PJ Macapagal-Arroyo Geraldez Template:Small October 4, 2011
26 Template:Sortname March 11, 1996 AJ Ramos Escareal Garchitorena March 11, 1997
27 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena December 15, 2004
December 15, 2004 PJ Arroyo Chico-Nazario Template:Small December 3, 2007
28 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena March 11, 2002
29 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena September 18, 1998Template:Efn-lr
30 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena September 8, 2006
31 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena January 15, 2002
32 Template:Sortname September 8, 1997 AJ Ramos + Garchitorena January 15, 2002
33 Template:Sortname October 5, 1998 Template:Efn-lr AJ Estrada Ballajadia Garchitorena September 23, 2014
34 Template:Sortname October 7, 1998 AJ Estrada Lagman Garchitorena March 3, 2001
35 Template:Sortname October 9, 1998 AJ Estrada Demetriou Garchitorena March 3, 2003
36 Template:Sortname October 5, 1998 AJ Estrada Cruz Garchitorena March 3, 1999
37 Template:Sortname October 19, 1998 AJ Estrada Lee, Jr. Garchitorena July 2, 2009
July 2, 2009 PJ Arroyo Peralta Template:Small November 30, 2009
38 Template:Sortname January 31, 2000 AJ Estrada Gustillo Garchitorena February 15, 2005
39 Template:Sortname January 31, 2000 AJ Estrada de León, Jr. Garchitorena February 15, 2002
40 Template:Sortname October 2, 2001 AJ Arroyo Ilarde Garchitorena October 5, 2011
October 5, 2011 PJ B. Aquino III Sandoval Template:Small June 8, 2013
41 Template:Sortname June 14, 2002 AJ Arroyo del Rosario Chico-Nazario March 28, 2008
March 28, 2008 PJ Arroyo de Castro Template:Small January 14, 2009
42 Template:Sortname Jan 21, 2003 AJ Arroyo Nario, Sr. Chico-Nazario February 28, 2010
February 28, 2010 PJ Arroyo Cortéz-Estrada Template:Small April 4, 2010
43 Template:Sortname October 3, 2003 AJ Arroyo Castañeda, Jr. Chico-Nazario February 1, 2017
44 Template:Sortname October 10, 2003 AJ Arroyo Ferrer Chico-Nazario June 18, 2024
45 Template:Sortname October 17, 2003 AJ Arroyo Badoy Jr. Chico-Nazario July 22, 2016
46 Template:Sortname March 9, 2004 AJ Arroyo Palattao Chico-Nazario November 22, 2016
47 Template:Sortname August 23, 2004 AJ Arroyo Chico-Nazario Chico-Nazario September 13, 2017
48 Template:Sortname Oct 15, 2005 AJ Arroyo Leonardo-de Castro de Castro August 14, 2017
49 Template:Sortname October 15, 2005 AJ Arroyo Victorino de Castro March 2, 2017
50 Template:Sortname April 4, 2008 AJ Arroyo Legaspí Peralta August 1, 2016
51 Template:Sortname December 11, 2008 AJ Arroyo Peralta Peralta July 28, 2022
52 Maria Cristina Cornejo May 1, 2010 AJ Arroyo Cortéz-Estrada Sandoval March 1, 2017
53 Template:Sortname December 9, 2010 AJ B. Aquino III Geraldez Sandoval December 22, 2024
54 Oscar Herrera, Jr. April 26, 2011 AJ B. Aquino III Sandóval Villaruz, Jr. May 23, 2024
55 Template:Sortname June 11, 2012 AJ B. Aquino III Villaruz, Jr. Villaruz, Jr. October 7, 2013
October 7, 2013 PJ B. Aquino III Villaruz, Jr. Template:Small November 8, 2024
56 Template:Sortname Jun 20, 2014 AJ B. Aquino III Cabotaje-Tang Sept 1, 2025
57 Sarah Jane Fernandez May 5, 2015 AJ B. Aquino III G. Ong Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
58 Template:Sortname Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
59 Template:Sortname Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Feb 21, 2020
60 Template:Sortname Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Jan 7, 2025
Jan 7, 2025 PJ Marcos Jr. Cabotaje-Tang Template:Small Incumbent
61 Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
62 Karl Miranda Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
63 Zaldy Trespeses Jan 20, 2016 AJ B. Aquino III + Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
64 Bernelito Fernandez Oct 28, 2016 AJ Duterte Díaz-Baldos Cabotaje-Tang Template:Dts
65 Template:Sortname Mar 1, 2017 AJ Duterte Inoturan Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
66 Template:Sortname Mar 10, 2017 AJ Duterte Hernández Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
67 Template:Sortname May 29, 2017 AJ Duterte Jurado Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
68 Template:Sortname Nov 28, 2017 AJ Duterte Martires Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
69 Template:Sortname Dec 8, 2017 AJ Duterte Cornejo Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
70 Template:Sortname Jan 18, 2018 AJ Duterte Ponferrada Cabotaje-Tang incumbent
71 Template:Sortname Jun 8, 2018 AJ Duterte Gesmundo Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
72 Template:Sortname May 24, 2021 AJ Duterte Cruz Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
73 Template:Sortname Sept 27, 2023 AJ Marcos Jr. Template:Sortname Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
74 Template:Sortname Oct 8, 2024 AJ Marcos Jr. de la Cruz Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
75 Template:Sortname Oct 8, 2024 AJ Marcos Jr. Herrera, Jr. Cabotaje-Tang Incumbent
76 Template:Sortname Jan 30, 2025 AJ Marcos Jr. Template:Hs Lagos Econg Incumbent
77 Template:Sortname Template:Dts AJ Marcos Jr. Template:Hs B. Fernandez Econg
78 Template:Sortname Template:Dts AJ Marcos Jr. Template:Hs Econg Econg
79 Template:Sortname AJ Marcos Jr. Template:Hs Gomez-Estoesta Econg

Timeline of Justices by Presiding Justice (1978-present)

Members of the Pamaran Court (1978-1986)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Garcitorena Court (1986-2002)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Chico Nazario-Court (2003–2004)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the de Castro Court (2005-2007)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Peralta Court (2008–2009)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Cortez-Estrada Court (2009)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Geraldez Court (2010)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

Members of the Sandoval Court (2010-2011)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

During the Presiding Justiceship of Francisco Villaruz, Jr. (2011-2013)

Template:See also

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

During the Presiding Justiceship of Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang (2013-2024)

  1. REDIRECT Template:Block indent

The rule of seniority

The Associate Justices of the Court are usually ordered according to the date of their appointment. There are no official ramifications as to this ranking, although the order determines the seating arrangement on the bench and is duly considered in all matters of protocol. Within the discretion of the Court, the ranking may also factor into the composition of the divisions of the Court.

The incumbent Justice with the earliest date of appointment is deemed the Senior Associate Justice. The Senior Associate Justice has no constitutional or statutory duties, but usually acts as Acting Presiding Justice during the absence of the Presiding Justice. The Senior Associate Justice is not usually designated as the chairperson of the second division of the Court.

The following became Senior Associate Justices in their tenure in the Sandiganbayan:

Page Template:Legend/styles.css has no content.

Page Template:Legend/styles.css has no content.

Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr Template:Abbr
1 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
2 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
3 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
4 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts*
5 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
6 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Efn-lr
7 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Efn-lr
8 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
9 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:Dts
10 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts Template:DtsTemplate:Efn-lr
11 Template:Sortname Template:Dts Template:Dts incumbent

Template:Reflist Template:Notelist-lr

See also

Notes

Template:ReflistScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

References

Template:Reflist

Sources

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

  1. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. Republic Act No. 7975 : An Act To Strengthen The Functional And Structural Organization Of The Sandiganbayan, Amending For That Purpose Presidential Decree No. 1606, As Amended, March 30, 1995.
  6. Republic Act No. 8249 : An Act Further Defining The Jurisdiction Of The Sandiganbayan, Amending For The Purpose Presidential Decree No. 1606, As Amended, Providing Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes., February 5, 1997.
  7. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. Template:Cite journal
  10. a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. Template:Cite journal
  14. Template:Cite journal
  15. Template:Cite journal
  16. Template:Cite journal
  17. Template:Cite journal
  18. a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. a b c d e f g h Supreme Court of the Philippines. "Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan." Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  28. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".