Group 4 - Lesson Plan  

The Sandiganbayan, The Ombudsman, and The Special Prosecutor 
─── 

Members 
Binghay, Lorenz 
Forinas, Angela 
Jamero, Wendy  
Revelo, Ann Marjorie 
Solas, Camille 

 
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Introduction
Aside  from  the  three  Constitutional  Commissions,  the  Philippine  justice  system  also 
implements  other  courts,  considered  as  special  courts  -  among  which  are  the 
Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor. 

These  three  are  derived  from  different  provisions  of  the  1987  Constitution.  Corollary  to 
their  establishment  is  to  determine  the  accountability  of  public  officers  for  their  offenses 
against the core principle behind Article XI, stating that ​“Public office is a public trust.” 

Presumably,  the  framers  of  the  Constitution  wanted  to  highlight  the  necessity  for  a return 
to  the  old  concepts  and  values  of  the  public  office.  This  is  perhaps  the  reason  why  the 
provision  goes  to  say,  ​“public  officers  and  employees  must  at  all  times  be  accountable  to  the 
people,  serve  them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism 
and justice, and lead modest lives.” 

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to: 

1. Determine the differences of the aforementioned offices; 

2. Demonstrate the different functions of the three offices; 
3. Describe the composition of each office; 
4. Determine the jurisdiction of each office. 
5. Identify the qualifications and terms of the public officials covered in these offices. 

 
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Lesson Proper

1.​ The Sandiganbayan

​

  
The  Sandiganbayan  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,  including  those  in 
government-owned  or  government-controlled  corporations  as  may  be  determined 
by  law.  The  special  court  was  established  by  Presidential  Decree  No.  1486  of  the 
1973  Constitution.  It  was  subsequently  modified  by  Presidential  Decree  No.  1606 
and  by  Republic  Acts  numbered  7975  and  8249  in  the  1987  Constitution.  It  is equal 
in  rank  to  the  Court  of  Appeals,  and  the  Office  of  the  Ombudsman  owns  exclusive 
authority to bring cases to the Sandiganbayan. 
The  Sandiganbayan  is  retained  by  the  New  Constitution  under  the  following 
provision in Article XI, Section 4: 
“The  present  anti-graft  court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue to function and 
exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by law.” 
The  1973  Constitution  clearly  provided  that  this  tribunal  is  charged  with  the  direct 
responsibility of maintaining morality, integrity and efficiency in the public service. 
Under  PD  1606,  the  Sandiganbayan  consists  of  a  presiding  justice  and  14  associate 
justices.  It  sits in 5 divisions of 3 justices each, who shall be necessary to constitute a 
quorum  and  whose  unanimous  vote  shall  be  required  for  the  pronouncement  of  a 
judgement.  PD  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 
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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.” 
  
Laws on Graft and Corruption in the Philippines 
  
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. 
  
Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 1379 
The  Anti-Graft  and  Corrupt  Practices  Act  is a law which stipulates that the Philippine 
Government  shall  repress  certain  acts  of  both  public  officers  and  natural  person 
that  may  constitute  to  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. 
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  or  a  life  sentencing  to  death.  Any 
accomplice shall be sentenced with the same. 
  
Jurisdiction 
  
To  determine  whether  the  Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction, lawyers look into ​two (2) 
criteria,  namely:  the  nature  of  the  offense  and  the  salary  grade  of  the  public 
official. 
  
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**The Sandiganbayan shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over: 

  
  
**Provided  that  the  accused  belongs  to  a  salary  grade  of  27  or  higher,  the 
Sandiganbayan  has  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. 
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 
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. 
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 
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exclusive  jurisdiction  of  the  Sandiganbayan  but  which  were  committed  by  public 
officers below Salary Grade 27. 
  
Case Discussion​: ​Enrile vs Sandiganbayan​, G.R. No. 213847, August 18, 2015. 
  

2.​ The Ombudsman

​

Under  the  1987  Philippine  Constitution  and  the Ombudsman Act of 1989, the Office 

of  the  Ombudsman,  also  referred  to  as  the  ​Tanodbayan  ng  Pilipinas​,  independently 
monitors  all  three  branches  of  the  government  for  political  corruption.  The 
Ombudsman  "​is  principally  tasked  to  investigate  on  its  own  or  upon  complaint  by  any 
person,  in  any  form  or  manner,  any  act  or  omission  of  any  public  officer  or  employee, 
including  those  in  government-owned  or  controlled  corporations,  which  appears  to  be 
illegal,  unjust,  improper  or  inefficient."  After  an  investigation,  the  Ombudsman  files 
charges at the Sandiganbayan, a special anti-graft court. 
The  Office  of  the  Ombudsman  is  a  constitutional  office.  It  may  not  therefore  be 
abolished  nor  may  its  composition  be  changed  by  ordinary  legislation. Significantly, 
the  appointment  of  the  Ombudsman  and  his  deputies  requires  no  confirmation  by 
the  Commission  on  Appointments,  as  an  exception  to  the  general  rule.  These 
officials  have  the  same  rank  and  salary  as  the  chairmen  and  associate 
commissioners  respectively  of  the  Constitutional  Commissions  and  enjoy  the  same 
security  of  compensation.  To  strengthen  its  independence,  the  Constitution  also 
gives  the  office  fiscal  autonomy  and  the  power  to  appoint  its  own  officials  and 
employees  in  accordance  with  civil  and  service laws. The Ombudsman is among the 
officials who may be removed only through impeachment. 
  
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Composition,  Qualifications  and  Term  under  RA  6770  or  Ombudsman  Act  of 
1989: 
  
The  Office  of  the  Ombudsman  shall  include  the  Office  of  the  Overall  Deputy,  the 
Office  of  the  Deputy for Luzon, the Office of the Deputy for the Visayas, the Office of 
the  Deputy  for  Mindanao,  the  Office  of  the  Deputy  for  the  Armed  Forces,  and  the 
Office  of  the  Special  Prosecutor.  The  President  may  appoint  other  Deputies  as  the 
necessity for it may arise, as recommended by the Ombudsman. 
The  Ombudsman  and  his  Deputies,  including  the  Special  Prosecutor,  shall  be 
natural-born  citizens  of  the  Philippines,  at  least  forty  (40)  years  old,  of  recognized 
probity  and  independence,  members  of  the  Philippine Bar, and must not have been 
candidates  for  any  elective  national  or  local  office  in  the  immediately  preceding 
election  whether  regular  or  special.  The  Ombudsman  must  have,  for  ten  (10)  years 
or more, been a judge or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines. 
The  Ombudsman  and  his  Deputies,  including  the  Special  Prosecutor,  shall serve for 
a term of seven (7) years without reappointment. 
  
Powers and Functions: 
  
The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions and duties: 
(1)  Investigate  and  prosecute  on  its  own  or  on  complaint  by  any  person,  any  act  or 
omission  of  any  public  officer  or  employee,  office  or  agency,  when  such  act  or 
omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. 
(2)  Direct,  upon  complaint  or  at  its  own  instance,  any  officer  or  employee  of  the 
Government,  or  of  any  subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as any 
government-owned  or  controlled  corporations  with  original charter, to perform and 
expedite  any  act  or  duty  required  by  law,  or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse 
or impropriety in the performance of duties; 
(3)  Direct  the  officer  concerned  to  take appropriate action against a public officer or 
employee  at  fault  or  who  neglect  to  perform  an  act  or discharge a duty required by 
law,  and  recommend  his  removal,  suspension,  demotion,  fine,  censure,  or 
prosecution,  and  ensure  compliance  therewith;  or  enforce  its  disciplinary  authority 
to  remove,  suspend, demote, fine, censure, orprosecute an officer or employee who 
is at fault or who neglects to perform an act or discharge a duty required by law 
(4)  Direct  the  officer  concerned,  in  any  appropriate  case,  and  subject  to  such 
limitations  as  it  may  provide  in  its  rules  of  procedure,  to  furnish  it  with  copies  of 
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documents  relating  to  contracts  or  transactions  entered  into  by  his  office  involving 
the  disbursement  or  use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to 
the Commission on Audit for appropriate action; 
(5)  Request  any  government  agency  for assistance and information necessary in the 
discharge  of  its  responsibilities,  and  to  examine,  if necessary, pertinent records and 
documents; 
(6)  Publicize  matters  covered  by  its  investigation  of  the  matters  mentioned  in 
paragraphs  (1),  (2),  (3)  and  (4)  hereof,  when  circumstances  so  warrant  and with due 
prudence:  Provided,  That  the  Ombudsman  under  its  rules  and  regulations  may 
determine  what  cases  may  not  be made public: Provided, further, That any publicity 
issued by the Ombudsman shall be balanced, fair and true; 
(7)  Determine  the  causes  of  inefficiency,  red  tape,  mismanagement,  fraud,  and 
corruption  in  the  Government,  and  make  recommendations  for  their  elimination 
and the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency; 
(8)  Administer  oaths,  issue  subpoena  and  subpoena  duces  tecum,  and  take 
testimony  in  any  investigation  or  inquiry,  including  the  power  to  examine  and  have 
access to bank accounts and records; 
(9)  Punish  for  contempt  in  accordance  with  the  Rules  of  Court  and  under  thesame 
procedure and with the same penalties provided therein; 
(10)  Delegate  to  the  Deputies,  or  its  investigators  or  representatives  such  authority 
or  duty  as  shall  ensure  the  effective  exercise  or  performance  of  the  powers, 
functions, and duties herein or hereinafter provided; 
(11)  Investigate  and  initiate  the  proper  action  for  the  recovery  of  ill-gotten  and/or 
unexplained  wealth  amassed  after  February  25,  1986  and  the  prosecution  of  the 
parties involved therein. 
  
The  Ombudsman  shall  give  priority  to  complaints  filed  against  high  ranking 
government  officials  and/or  those  occupying  supervisory  positions,  complaints 
involving  grave  offenses as well as complaints involving large sums of money and/or 
properties. 
 
 

Salary: 
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The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the same ranks, salaries and privileges 
as  the  Chairman  and  members,  respectively,  of  a  Constitutional  Commission.  Their 
salaries shall not be decreased during their term of office. 
The  members  of  the  prosecution,  investigation  and  legal  staff  of  the  Office  of  the 
Ombudsman  shall  receive  salaries  which  shall  not  be  less  than  those  given  to 
comparable positions in any office in the Government. 
  
What is the difference between Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan? 
  
The  Ombudsman  law  expressly  identifies  the  Sandiganbayan  as  the  venue  where it 
can exercise prosecutorial powers of cases involving public officers within its original 
jurisdiction.  Clearly  then,  the  Ombudsman  does  not  have  the  power  to  prosecute 
criminal cases within the original jurisdiction of the regular courts. 
  
Case  Discussion:  ​Office  of the Ombudsman vs. Honorable Court of Appeals and Former 
Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas​, G.R. NO. 146486 : March 4, 2005 

3.​ The Special Prosecutor

​

The  original  office  of  the  Tanodbayan  has  been  reduced  in  stature  because  of  the 
creation  by  the  Constitution  itself  of  the  Office  of  the  Ombudsman,  which  is 
supposed  to  be  more  prestigious  and  important,  considering  its  powers.  The  old 
Tanodbayan  is  now  known  as  the  Special  Prosecutor’s  Office  but  continues  to  be 
governed  by  PD  1607,  except  where  his  powers  thereunder  have  been  transferred 
by the Constitution to the Ombudsman. 
The  Special  Prosecutor,  as  his  title  suggests,  is  limited  to  and  charged  with  the 
prosecution  of  graft  and corruption cases – not including election offenses, as this is 
solely for the COMELEC. 
The Special Prosecutor may prosecute before the Sandiganbayan justices accused of 
graft  and  corruption  even  if  they  come  under  the  administrative  supervision  of  the 
Supreme  Court.  But  administrative  charges  filed  against  them  with the SC will defer 
the  filing  of  criminal  charges  based  on  the  same  offense  by  the  Special  Prosecutor 
before the Sandiganbayan. 
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The  SP  is  not  an  impeachable  officer, hence, he can only be removed from his office 

upon  mandate  of  the  President.  In  the  absence  of  the  Ombudsman,  the  Special 
Prosecutor can be the acting Ombudsman. 
 
Special Prosecutor Composition 
R.A  6770  or also known as the Ombudsman Act of 1989, stated that the Office of the 
Special  Prosecutor  shall  be  composed  of  the  Special  Prosecutor  and  his  Prosecutor 
staff.  The  Office  of  the  Special  Prosecutor  shall  be  an  organic  component  of  the 
Office  of  the  Ombudsman  and  shall  be  under  the  supervision  and  control  of  the 
Ombudsman. 
The  position  structure  and  staffing pattern of the Office of the Ombudsman and the 
Office  of  the  Prosecutor,  shall be approved and prescribed by the Ombudsman. The 
Ombudsman  shall  appoint  all  officers  and employees of the Ombudsman, including 
those  of  the  Office  of  The  Special  Prosecutor,  in  accordance  with  Civil  Service  Law, 
rules and regulations. 
 
Office of the Special Prosecutor Power 
Under  the  supervision  and  upon  the  authority  of the Ombudsman, the Office of the 
Special Prosecutor Shall have the following power: 
a. To  conduct  preliminary  investigation  and  prosecute criminal cases within the 
jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan; 
b. To enter into plea bargaining agreements; and 
c. To perform such other duties assigned to it by the Ombudsman 
 
Plea  bargaining  is  a  process  in  criminal  cases  whereby  the  accused  and  the  prosecution  work 
out  a  mutually  satisfactory  disposition  of  the  case  subject  to  court  approval.  The  essence  of  a 
plea  bargaining agreement is the allowance of an accused to plead guilty to a lesser offense than 
that charged against him 
 
Case  Discussion:  ​G.R.  Nos.  163972-77,  JOSELITO  RANIERO  J.  DAAN  V.  HON. 
SANDIGANBAYAN: March 28, 2008 
 
 
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Evaluation  
MCQ 

1. 2 criteria to determine whether or not Sandiganbayan has jusrisdiction.

a. Nature of the offense and salary grade of the public official
b. Nature of the offense and position of the public official
c. Offenses covered by R.A 3019 and public officials of permanent positions
d. None of the above

2. The Sandiganbayan is presently composed of __________.

a. Presiding Justice and thirteen (13) Associate Justices
b. Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices
c. Presiding Justice and eleven (11) Associate Justices
d. Presiding Justice and twelve (12) Associate Justices

3. Which office is not part of the Sandiganbayan’s functional description?

a. Judicial Records Division
b. Budget and Finance Division
c. Office of Overall Deputy
d. Management Information System Division

4. What Constitutional Guarantees Insulates the Office of the Ombudsman from political
Influence and interference?
a. Giving the Ombudsman and his deputies, the rank of a Constitutional
Commission
b. Removable from the office only by resignation
c. Granting the Office of the Ombudsman and its deputies, fiscal dichotomy.
d. All of the above mentioned

5. This is an act providing for the functional and structural organization of the Office of the
Ombudsman and for other purposes.
a. R.A 6779
b. R.A 6770
c. R.A 6769
d. R.A 6778

6. The Office of the Special Prosecutor has the power to:

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a. Grant immunity from criminal prosecution to any person whose testimony may be
necessary to determine the truth in any proceedings
b. Conduct necessary investigation complained given that judicial or quasi-judicial is
adequate
c. Perform other duties assigned to it by the Ombudsman
d. Disciplinary authority over impeachable public official

7. Qualifications needed to qualify as an Ombudsman and his deputies.

a. At least forty-five (45) years old, members of the Philippine Bar

b. Ten years of engagement as a judge or in the practice of Philippine law.
c. Recognized probity and independence, members of the Philippine Bar
d. None of the above mentioned.

8. The Ombudsman can be removed from office by impeachment. The Special Prosecutor
may be removed from office by _________.

a. The President
b. The Ombudsman
c. Impeachment
d. Reappointment

9. Under the Ombudsman Act of 1989, no court shall hear any appeal or application for
remedy against the decision of the Ombudsman, except ______.

a. Court of Appeals
b. The President
c. Supreme Court
d. Overall Deputy

10. Which is not true of a Special Prosecutor?

a. In the absence of the Ombudsman, the Special Prosecutor can be the acting
Ombudsman
b. Prosecute criminal cases outside the jurisdiction of Sandiganbayan
c. Enters into plea bargaining agreements
d. Both a and b are no true

 
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Closure 
It is important to know whether or not the students understood the lesson regarding the 
offices of the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman and the Special Prosecutor. 
 
At the end of the discussion, the following activities will be conducted: 
 
1. SHORT QUIZ 
- The students will be given a short multiple-choice type quiz regarding the key 
concepts of the discussion. The quiz will contain 10 questions to be asked in 
the class and to be answered for 10 minutes only. 
- After the quiz, the answers will be discussed. 
 
2. MATCHING ACTIVITY 
- For an interactive activity after the quiz, the class will do a matching type 
mini-game, in which students will be allowed to participate in matching a 
cut-out terms from the discussion and match it to the corresponding 
office/court they are related to. 
- The rubrics for the game will be discussed during the class proper. 
 
3. INSIGHT SHARING 
- One student will be asked at the end on his insights about the discussion and 
share it with the class.