A TOTAL of 26 regional trial courts have been designated as special courts to handle corruption-related cases in relation to the ongoing investigation into the multibillion anomalous flood control and infrastructure projects of the government.
The designation is pursuant to Republic Act No. 10660, an act strengthening the functional and structural organization of the Sandiganbayan.
Under RA 106660, the RTC has exclusive original jurisdiction when the graft case does not involve damage to the government or any bribery; or when it involves damage to the government or bribery arising from transactions not exceeding P1 million.
On the other hand, jurisdiction over graft cases involving public officers occupying positions lower than Salary Grade 27 belong to the RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, and Municipal Circuit Trial Court in accordance with Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 or the Judiciary Reorganization Act.
‘This is just the first batch. All regions will have designated anti-graft courts,’ the SC said.
The SC said five courts were designated as special courts for corruption-related cases; five in Regional III (Central Luzon; four in Region IV-A (Calabarzon), four in Region V (Bicol Region); four in Region VII (Central Visaya); and four in Region XI (Davao Region).
The SC did not name the specific courts and judges for security purposes.
The designated judges will undergo training from the Philippine Judicial Academy, with lectures led by Sandiganbayan associate justices.
The training will cover substantive and procedural laws such as Republic Act 7080 or the Law on Plunder, RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, rules on bail in plunder cases, evidentiary rules in anti-graft cases, the rule on cyber warrants, and rules on forensic evidence, among others.
ICI begins inspecting flood projects
In a related development, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure announced that it has started its inspection of flood control projects in the province of Cebu where more than 200 people died due to flash floods brought about by Typhoon Tino.
The ICI, which was created by President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., said the inspection is being conducted in coordination with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Arthur Bisnar.
The investigating body is focusing its probe on flood control projects situated in key areas such Mandaue City, the Municipality of Liloan, Talisay City, and Cebu City.