The Philippines is a democratic and republican state.

As a republican state, sovereignty resides in the People and all government authority emanates from them (Constitution, Art. III, Sec. 1). A Republican form of government rests on the conviction that sovereignty should reside in the people and that all government authority must emanate from them. It abhors the concentration of power on one or a few, cognizant that power, when absolute, can lead to abuse, but it also shuns a direct and unbridled rule by the people, a veritable kindling to the passionate fires of anarchy. Our people have accepted this notion and decided to delegate the basic state authority to principally three branches of government the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary each branch being supreme in its own sphere but with constitutional limits and a firm tripod of checks and balances . The Executive Branch The executive branch is headed by the President, who is elected by a direct vote of the people. The term of office of the President, as well as the Vice-President, is six (6) years. As head of the Executive Department, the President is the Chief Executive. He represents the government as a whole and sees to it that all laws are enforced by the officials and employees of his department. He has control over the executive department, bureaus and offices. This means that he has the authority to assume directly the functions of the executive department, bureau and office or interfere with the discretion of its officials. Corollary to the power of control, the President also has the duty of supervising the enforcement of laws for the maintenance of general peace and public order. Thus, he is granted administrative power over bureaus and offices under his control to enable him to discharge his duties effectively. The President exercises general supervision over all local government units and is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Under the existing Presidential form of government, the executive and legislative branches are entirely separate, subject only to the mechanisms of checks and balances. There were attempts to amend the Constitution in order to shift to a parliamentary system, but these moves were struck down by the Supreme Court. The most recent petition that reached the Supreme Court isLambino vs. COMELEC. The Legislative Branch The legislative branch, which has the authority to make, alter or repeal laws (see also the definition of legislative power), is the Congress. Congress is vested with the tremendous power of the purse, traditionally recognized in the constitutional provision that no money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law. It comprehends both the power to generate money by taxation (the power to tax) and the power to spend it (the power to appropriate). The power to appropriate carries with it the power to specify the amount that may be spent and the purpose for which it may be spent. Under a bicameral system, the Congress is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is composed of twenty-four (24) Senators, who are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines. The term of office of the Senators is six (6) years.

The House of Representatives, on the other hand, is composed of not more than two hundred and fifty (250) members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who are elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities and the Metropolitan Manila area, and those who are elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations. The term of office of members of the House of Representatives, also called Congressmen, is three (3) years. The Judiciary Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. The judiciary has the moderating power to determine the proper allocation of powers between the branches of government. When the judiciary mediates to allocate constitutional boundaries, it does not assert any superiority over the other departments; it does not in reality nullify or invalidate an act of the legislature, but only asserts the solemn and sacred obligation assigned to it by the Constitution to determine conflicting claims of authority under the Constitution and to establish for the parties in an actual controversy the rights which that instrument secures and guarantees to them. In the words of Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno: The Judiciary may not have the power of the sword, may not have the power of the purse, but it has the power to interpret the Constitution, and the unerring lessons of history tell us that rightly wielded, that power can make a difference for good. While Congress has the power to define, prescribe and apportion thejurisdiction of the various courts, Congress cannot deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction provided in the Constitution. No law shall also be passed reorganizing the judiciary when it undermines the security of tenure of its members. The Supreme Court also has administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof, having the power to discipline or dismiss judges of lower courts. The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or, in its discretion, in divisions of three, five or seven members. A member of the Supreme Court must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least forty (40) years of age and must have been for fifteen (15) years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines. Justices hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy (70) years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. * Sources: Francisco, Jr. vs. House of Representatives, G.R. No. 160261, 10 November 2003, main decision and the separate opinions of Justices Vitug and Corona; Ople vs. Torres, G.R. No. 127685, 23 July 1998.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3019 ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT Section 1. Statement of policy. It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto. Section 2. Definition of terms. As used in this Act, that term (a) "Government" includes the national government, the local governments, the governmentowned and government-controlled corporations, and all other instrumentalities or agencies of the Republic of the Philippines and their branches.

(b) "Public officer" includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the classified or unclassified or exempt service receiving compensation, even nominal, from the government as defined in the preceding subparagraph. (c) "Receiving any gift" includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly a gift from a person other than a member of the public officer's immediate family, in behalf of himself or of any member of his family or relative within the fourth civil degree, either by consanguinity or affinity, even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is under the circumstances manifestly excessive. (d) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons, unless the context indicates otherwise. Section 3. Corrupt practices of public officers. In addition to acts or omissions of public officers already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices of any public officer and are hereby declared to be unlawful: (a) Persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in connection with the official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense. (b) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law. (c) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefit, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any Government permit or license, in consideration for the help given or to be given, without prejudice to Section thirteen of this Act. (d) Accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private enterprise which has pending official business with him during the pendency thereof or within one year after its termination. (e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions. (f) Neglecting or refusing, after due demand or request, without sufficient justification, to act within a reasonable time on any matter pending before him for the purpose of obtaining, directly or indirectly, from any person interested in the matter some pecuniary or material benefit or advantage, or for the purpose of favoring his own interest or giving undue advantage in favor of or discriminating against any other interested party. (g) Entering, on behalf of the Government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby. (h) Director or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest. (i) Directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest in any transaction or act requiring the approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a member, and which exercises discretion in such approval, even if he votes against the same or does not participate in the action of the board, committee, panel or group.

Interest for personal gain shall be presumed against those public officers responsible for the approval of manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular transaction or acts by the board, panel or group to which they belong. (j) Knowingly approving or granting any license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor of any person not qualified for or not legally entitled to such license, permit, privilege or advantage, or of a mere representative or dummy of one who is not so qualified or entitled. (k) Divulging valuable information of a confidential character, acquired by his office or by him on account of his official position to unauthorized persons, or releasing such information in advance of its authorized release date. The person giving the gift, present, share, percentage or benefit referred to in subparagraphs (b) and (c); or offering or giving to the public officer the employment mentioned in subparagraph (d); or urging the divulging or untimely release of the confidential information referred to in subparagraph (k) of this section shall, together with the offending public officer, be punished under Section nine of this Act and shall be permanently or temporarily disqualified in the discretion of the Court, from transacting business in any form with the Government. Section 4. Prohibition on private individuals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person having family or close personal relation with any public official to capitalize or exploit or take advantage of such family or close personal relation by directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any present, gift or material or pecuniary advantage from any other person having some business, transaction, application, request or contract with the government, in which such public official has to intervene. Family relation shall include the spouse or relatives by consanguinity or affinity in the third civil degree. The word "close personal relation" shall include close personal friendship, social and fraternal connections, and professional employment all giving rise to intimacy which assures free access to such public officer. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to induce or cause any public official to commit any of the offenses defined in Section 3 hereof. Section 5. Prohibition on certain relatives. It shall be unlawful for the spouse or for any relative, by consanguinity or affinity, within the third civil degree, of the President of the Philippines, the VicePresident of the Philippines, the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to intervene, directly or indirectly, in any business, transaction, contract or application with the Government: Provided, That this section shall not apply to any person who, prior to the assumption of office of any of the above officials to whom he is related, has been already dealing with the Government along the same line of business, nor to any transaction, contract or application already existing or pending at the time of such assumption of public office, nor to any application filed by him the approval of which is not discretionary on the part of the official or officials concerned but depends upon compliance with requisites provided by law, or rules or regulations issued pursuant to law, nor to any act lawfully performed in an official capacity or in the exercise of a profession. Section 6. Prohibition on Members of Congress. It shall be unlawful hereafter for any Member of the Congress during the term for which he has been elected, to acquire or receive any personal pecuniary interest in any specific business enterprise which will be directly and particularly favored or benefited by any law or resolution authored by him previously approved or adopted by the Congress during the same term. The provision of this section shall apply to any other public officer who recommended the initiation in Congress of the enactment or adoption of any law or resolution, and acquires or receives any such interest during his incumbency. It shall likewise be unlawful for such member of Congress or other public officer, who, having such interest prior to the approval of such law or resolution authored or recommended by him, continues for thirty days after such approval to retain such interest.

Section 7. Statement of assets and liabilities. Every public officer, within thirty days after the approval of this Act or after assuming office, and within the month of January of every other year thereafter, as well as upon the expiration of his term of office, or upon his resignation or separation from office, shall prepare and file with the office of the corresponding Department Head, or in the case of a Head of Department or chief of an independent office, with the Office of the President, or in the case of members of the Congress and the officials and employees thereof, with the Office of the Secretary of the corresponding House, a true detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities, including a statement of the amounts and sources of his income, the amounts of his personal and family expenses and the amount of income taxes paid for the next preceding calendar year: Provided, That public officers assuming office less than two months before the end of the calendar year, may file their statements in the following months of January. Section 8. Dismissal due to unexplained wealth. If in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act Numbered One thousand three hundred seventy-nine, a public official has been found to have acquired during his incumbency, whether in his name or in the name of other persons, an amount of property and/or money manifestly out of proportion to his salary and to his other lawful income, that fact shall be a ground for dismissal or removal. Properties in the name of the spouse and unmarried children of such public official may be taken into consideration, when their acquisition through legitimate means cannot be satisfactorily shown. Bank deposits shall be taken into consideration in the enforcement of this section, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary. Section 9. Penalties for violations. (a) Any public officer or private person committing any of the unlawful acts or omissions enumerated in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the Government of any prohibited interest and unexplained wealth manifestly out of proportion to his salary and other lawful income. Any complaining party at whose complaint the criminal prosecution was initiated shall, in case of conviction of the accused, be entitled to recover in the criminal action with priority over the forfeiture in favor of the Government, the amount of money or the thing he may have given to the accused, or the value of such thing. (b) Any public officer violation any of the provisions of Section 7 of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred pesos nor more than one thousand pesos, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court. The violation of said section proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public officer, even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him. Section 10. Competent court. Until otherwise provided by law, all prosecutions under this Act shall be within the original jurisdiction of the proper Court of First Instance. Section 11. Prescription of offenses. All offenses punishable under this Act shall prescribe in ten years. Section 12. Termination of office. No public officer shall be allowed to resign or retire pending an investigation, criminal or administrative, or pending a prosecution against him, for any offense under this Act or under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on bribery. Section 13. Suspension and loss of benefits. Any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this Act or under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on bribery is pending in court, shall be suspended from office. Should he be convicted by final judgment, he shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law, but if he is acquitted, he shall be entitled to reinstatement and to the salaries and benefits which he failed to receive during suspension, unless in the meantime administrative proceedings have been filed against him. Section 14. Exception. Unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage, shall be excepted from the provisions of this Act.

Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prejudice or prohibit the practice of any profession, lawful trade or occupation by any private person or by any public officer who under the law may legitimately practice his profession, trade or occupation, during his incumbency, except where the practice of such profession, trade or occupation involves conspiracy with any other person or public official to commit any of the violations penalized in this Act. Section 15. Separability clause. If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration. Section 16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect on its approval, but for the purpose of determining unexplained wealth, all property acquired by a public officer since he assumed office shall be taken into consideration. Approved: August 17, 1960

Korapsyon. Isa sa mga problema na hindi nawawala sa anumang pamamahala ay ang korapsyon, ito ay hindi lamang problema sa pamahalaan kundi maging sa mga kumpanya at sektor din, pribado man o lokal. Ang korapsyon ay nagmumula sa mga pansariling kagustuhan o benepisyo ng isang tao. Sa ating bansa, ang korapsyon ay isang problema na matagal nang nakadikit sa ating pamahalaan. Ang problemang ito ay problema ng bawat administrasyon at ang palagi ding hamon sa mga pumapasok na pangulo. Sa ngayon, ayon na din sa aking mga naoobserbahan bse sa mga balita, ang isyu na ito ay lalong lumalala at wala pang sinuman ang nakakasupil sa katiwaliang ito. Ayon naman sa Sinag bayan Ang problema ng katiwalian at korapsyon ay naging tradisyunal na batayan para sa pagpapatalsik o pagpapanatili sa isang pampulitikang partido o tao sa pwesto sa gubyerno. Gayunman, sa pangkalahatan, sa kabila ng moral na mga pahayag tungkol sa katapatan, pinanatili lamang ang isang sistema kung saan pasok-labas na pinaglalaruan ng konserbatibong mga partido ang tiwala ng mga mamamayan.

Bakit nga ba may korapsyon?Ang korapsyon ay nagagawa dahil ang mga taong gumagawa nito ay may mga pansariling interes at pangangailangan, particular na sa pinansyal. Karaniwan sa mgfa gumagawa ng bagay na ito ay ang mga tao o otoridad na nasa mataas na katungkulan dahil sila ay malabong maimbestigahan at malabong sila ay madaling mahuli dahil na rin sila ay may kapangyarihan at maari nilang takutin ang sinumang makakahuli sa kanila.

SA bawat na panahon ng kampanyang darating, ginagamit ng mga pulitiko na instrumento sa pagkuha ng simpatya ng mga tao ang korapsyon. Sinasabi nilang tutugunan nila ang problema ng bansa sa korapsyon. Bakit? Dahil alam nila na madaling makuha ang mga Pilipino sa mabubulaklak nilang salita, particular na ang mga may mababang kalidad ng edukasyon. Ayon kay KMU Vice President Lito Ustarez, kung nais ni Ginang Arroyo na ipakitang tapat ito sa layuning sugpuin ang malalang korapsyon sa gobyerno, dapat simulan ito sa paglalantad ng mga assets and liabilities ng Unang Pamilya. Hindi pa naisasara ang isyu ng mga tagong yaman ng pamilya Arroyo na inilantad ni Cong. Allan Peter Cayetano. Sa halip na sagutin, sinasampahan ng libel case ni FG Mike Arroyo ang mga naglalantad sa mga akto ng korapsyon ng pamilya Arroyo. Binigyang parangal ni Arroyo ang 10 ahensya ng gobyerno na nangunguna umano sa paglaban sa korapsyon. Kabilang dito ang Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Office of the President, Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways

(DPWH), Philippine National Police (PNP) at Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA). Giit naman ng KMU, pakulo lamang ito ng administrasyon para umangat ang sumasadsad na approval ratings ni Arroyo. Paano kami maniniwala dito samantalang inilantad ng Commission on Audit (CoA) at Committee on Finance ng Senado na kasama ang Office of the President sa mga ahensya ng gobyernong may Php17 bilyon unliquidated cash advances. Sa katunayan, P40 milyon dito ang cash advances na nai-disburse para sa opisina ng pangulo at hanggang ngayon di pa nabibigyang katwiran kung paano nagastos at saan napunta ang pera. Ayon sa ulat ng CoA, mahigit 9.3 billion ang di pa na liquidate ng mga national government agencies, Php2.6 bilyon naman sa mga Government owned and controlled corporations at mahigit Php5 bilyon sa mga lokal na gobyerno. Mananatiling kaduda-duda ang paggastos ng halagang ito hanggat di nagli-liquidate ang mga sangkot na ahensya, ayon pa kay Ustarez. Dagdag pa ng KMU, ipokrita si Arroyo sa pagsibak nito sa mga opisyal na lumalabag sa Anti Graft and Corruption Practices samantalang mismong ang Unang Pamilya ay nadadawit sa mga kaso ng tagong yaman at korapsyon.- www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=505291

Ayon sa aking pananaw, ang korapsyon ay isa sa mga dahilan kaya ang ating bansa ay nanatiling mahirap. Kaya ang ating sistema ay mabagal at bulok, dahil na rin sa pangungurakot ng mga nasa posisyon. Palpak ang operasyon n gating mga pampublikong serbisyo at ahensya dahil na din sa kulang ang kanilang pondo, hindi sila makakilos ng maayos dahil hindi sapat ang kanilang badyet ngunit bakit gayong sa mga buwis pa lamang ng mga tao ay malaki na ang kanilang nakukuha, idagdag pa ditto na an gating bansa ay nangungutang sa world bank. Ngunit ayon sa isang blog spot na aking nakita sa internet, Ito ang nilalaman ng kanilang blog Isusulat ko ang sanaysay na ito sa wikang Tagalog dahil medyo usapang bahay ang aking sasabihin at para lubos na maintindihan ito ng mas maraming Pinoy. Nag uusap usap kami madalas ng aking mga matatalik na kaibigan at nabanggit na kapag tatanungin mo ang isang Pinoy kung ano ang pinakamalaking problema ng Pilipinas kaya hindi ito umuunlad, ang malamang na sasabihin sa iyo ay Korapsyon. Nagkaisa kami sa damdamin namin na nakakasawa na pakinggan ang katagang yun mula sa ating mga kababayan. Ang nagiging dating nito ay ibinabaling na nila ang sisi sa ibang tao o bagay (na sa kasong ito ay ang pamahalaan) na dahilandaw ng kanilang kalagayan. Kami ay mga nakapaglakbay na sa ibat ibang bansa at nagtrabaho o nagnegosyo doon, at nakakita din kami ng mga korapsyon na minsay mas laganap pa kaysa sa Pilipinas. Sabi ng isa sa amin na nagtrabaho sa Beijing, marami doon na tinatawag na backroom deals at lagayan sa pamahalaan na baka nga mas garapal pa kaysa sa Pilipinas. Pero ang bansa nila ay maunlad. Ang Thailand, Taiwan at Vietnam ganun din pero sila ay mga higit na mauunlad kaysa sa Pilipinas. Maski dito sa Estados Unidos ay garapal din ang korapsyon sa pamahalaan pero kahit may recession, maunlad pa rin ito kumpara sa ibang bansa. Ang mga bansang Hapon at Korea ay meron ding korapsyon at nasa balita ang mga opisyal nila na nahuling nangungurakot Samakatuwid, hindi monopolya ng Pilipinas ang Korapsyon. Simplistico ang sabi ng mga tulad ni Noynoy na yun daw ang sanhi ng kahirapan ng bansa. Hindi kami naniniwala doon. Naniniwala kami na ang tunay na sanhi ng pagkalugmok ng Pilipinas at mga Pilipino ay ang Kabobohan, Sobrang pagkahilig sa Party at ang Katamaran. Tingnan na lang natin ang Thailand. Sa Pilipinas sila natuto ng mga kaalaman tungkol sa Bigas, doon sa International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) sa UP Los Banos. Pero ngayon, ang Thailand ay kumikita ng malaki sa pag export ng bigas samantalang ang Pilipinas ay nag aangkat nito SA KANILA. Ngayon, sino ang matalino? Ang gumamit ng kaalaman para kumita o ang sinayang ang kaalaman at kung ano anong mga kalokohan ang inintindi kaya napag iwanan na?

May magandang punto din na nabanggit ang kaibigan ko na may mga Pinoy na nagsasabi na boring daw ang mga bansang Singapore o Malaysia. Yun ay dahil mas nakatuon sila sa pagpapaunlad ng mga bansa nila at sarili nila imbes na mag party nang mag party kahit nagkakanda leche leche na ang bansa na siyang ginagawa ng mga Pinoy. May mga kilala kami na halos linggo-linggo may party sa kanilang bahay. Ang kahalintulad ng mga Pinoy ang ang mga bansa sa Latin America na ganun din na mahihilig sa party kaya hindi rin nagsisiunlad. Ang China, Korea at Hapon na may korapsyon din sa pamahalaan ay mauunlad dahil ang kanilang mga industriya ay umabante ng husto dahil sa kanilang kasipagan. Ito din ang mapapansin mo sa mga Tsino sa Pilipinas na mauunlad kahit may korapsyon sa pamahalaang Pinoy. Kaya hindi kami maniniwala o magsasabi na korapsyon ang dahilan kaya lubog ang Pilipinas. Kapag natuto na mag-isip, magtrabaho at magbawas-bawas ng pagkahilig sa party ang mga Pilipino ay saka uunlad ang Pilipinas. Ano sa tingin niyo?.- http://laonlaan.blogspot.com/2010/02/kahirapan-ng-pinoy-hindi-dulot-ng.html Kungsabagay, may punto ang nag blog nito..ngunit ang kanyang tinutukoy ay may koneksyon din sa mga nasa pamahalaan, konektado rin dito ang kantang upuan. Kung ang mga bansang nabanggit ay maunlad kahit na sila rin ay may korapsyon, ibig sabihin lang nito na ang mga nangungurakot sa kanila ay may pagpapahalaga pa rin sa kanilang bayan, sa atin ay wala. Sila ay mga garapal na sarili lamang ang gustong paunlarin. Krisis na nga sa ating bansa, pagpapayaman pa ng kanilang kaban ang kanilang inaatupag. Ayon sa kapatid n gating bagong presidente, wala daw magiging korapsyon sa administrasyon ng kanyang kuya noynoy, ngunit kanya ba itong mababantayan? Sa laki ng pilipinas at sa dami ng mga nakahalal sa bawat bayan hindi ako naniniwala na walang korapsyon na mangyayari sa kanyang administrasyon. Kung ang mga nagdaang pangulo na mas maraming karanasan at nagawa nung sila ay nasa mababang puwesto ay hindi nasugpo ito, siya pa kaya. Ang mundo ay nagbabago, ang mga presyo ng bilhin ay tumataas, ang populasyon ay lumolobo nang lumolobo, at habang nangyayari ito lalong nalulugmok ang ating bansa sa kahirapan, lalong nagiging kawawa ang mga Pilipino. Sana naman magkaroon ng isip ang mga opisyal na nangungurakot sa ating bansa, sila ay inihalal ng ating mga kababayan upang maglingkod at solusyunan ang ating mga kinakaharap na problema hindi upang dagdagan ang bigat ng krus na kanilang pinapasan. Article By:

Jaenice Ruby G. Alonzo

RESEARCHER Mangongotong, manlililo at mandaraya Ito ang ilan sa mga katangiang madalas kong marinig sa mga nakatatanda sa tuwing pinag-uusapan nila ang mga kapulisan. Samantalang mga bayani ang pagkakilala ng mga bata sa kanila. Hindi ko tuloy malaman at maisip kung ano ang aking paniniwalaan. Lagi kong itinatanong sa aking sarili kung bakit hindi kaaya-aya ang tingin ng ng mga nakatatanda sa mga pulis at kabaliktaran sa mga kabataan. Dahil dito, naisipan kong magsiyasat upang magkaroon ng sariling paniniwala. Ngunit, saan naman ako magsisimula? Sa Maynila kung saan laging mainit ang dugo ng mga drayber dahil sa hinihinging tongpatz ng mga pulis? At kinagigiliwan naman ng mga bata dahil sa magandang porma, baril at batuta. Dapat ko bang paniwalaan ang mga ipinakikita sa ibat ibang pelikula kung saan dumarating ang mga pulis kung kailan nabaril, nasaksak o napahamak na ang bida? Sadyang napakakumplikado ng mga bagay-bagay. Kinabukasan, nagtungo kami ng aming pamilya sa Bicol upang doon magbaksyon, Bigla kong naisip na tamang tama iyon upang makilatis ang tunay na katauhan ng

mga kapulisan. Nakakasawa na rin kasing paniwalaan mo na lang kung ano ang pinaniniwalaan ng iba. Unang araw pa lamang namin sa Bicol, kapansin-pansin na walang pakalat-kalat na na pulis sa mga one-way street na nag-aantay ng mga motorsiklong lalabag sa patakaran upang hingan ng multa katulad na lamang sa Quezon Avenue, walang mga pulis na nakahambalang sa bangketa upang habulin ang tinderong naghahanapbuhay gamit ang de-tulak na kariton katulad sa Luzon Avenue, wala ring mga pulis na nambabatuta sa mga nagtitinda ng mga pirating DVD tulad sa Quiapo at higit sa lahat walang mga pulis na nag-aantay ng bente pesos sa mga dyip na dumadaan tulad sa kalakhang Maynila. Sa kabilang banda, marahil tamad lang ang pulis sa lugar na iyon.. Ano nga ba talaga?? Hayyy Sa patuloy ng aking paglalakbay, nakaagaw ng aking atensyon ang mga pulis na nakabantay sa mga dulo ng kalsada. Siguro ay mas binibigyang pansin nila ang mga labas-pasok sa bawat syudad kaysa ang paghuhuli sa mga taong naghahanap-buhay. Ilang araw ang lumipas, sumama ako sa aking ina upang mamalengke sa bayan. Napakatindi ng trapiko at ang sanhi pala nito ay ang Magayon Festival na taunang ginaganap sa Bicol. Sinisisi ng mga drayber ang mga pulis dahil hindi daw nila lubos na pinaghandaan ang nasabing festival. Dahil dito, lahat ng mga drayber ay nagsikumpulan sa harap ng Barangay Police Office upang doon mag-alsa. Kaya naman pinagpasyahan ng mga pulis na palipatin na lang ang ruta sa Tahao Road na malayo sa festival dahil mas kumplikado daw kung pahihintuin ang nasabing okasyon. Hindi pumayag ang mga drayber dahil huli na daw ang lahat para paalisin sila dahil ang gusto nila ay ipahinto ang parada. Kung hindi daw nila gagawin iyon, magtitigil pasada daw sila o gagawa sila ng malaking strike. Hindi ko na sinubaybayan pa ang mga sumunod na mga pangyayari dahil kinailangan na anming mamalengke ng aking ina. Kinaumagahan, napansin kong walang dumadaang pampasaherong dyip sa kalasada, madalas kasing dumadaan ang mga dyip na iyon sa aming bahay. Mayamaya pa ay nagulat ako sa aking nakita, sunod-sunod ang mga naglalakihang trak na umiikot sa buong syudad. Llibreng Sakay- iyon ang pakay ng mga trak na iyon na ginawang solusyon ng mga pulis katapat ang ginawang strike ng mga drayber.Nakatatawa mang isipin, ngayon lamang ako nakakita ng libreng sakay at pulis pa ang may pakana. Kung iisiping mabuti, sadyang napakalaki ng nawala sa mga drayber. Isa na dito ay ang dapat na kikitain nila maghapon. Ngunit sino ba ang dapat sisihin? Hindi bat ang kanilang mga sarili? Kung hindi sana sila nagreklamo sa kakarampot na oras ng trapiko ay wala na sanang gulo. Ngayon, nasagot ko na ang katanungan ko, ang kaugalian pala ng kapulisan ay depende sa mga taong nakapaligid sa mga pulis. Kung walang suwail, walang sasawayin, kung walang nagpapakotong, hihinto at hihinto din ang mga pulis sa tukso ng pangongotong, kung walang mga illegal vendors ay hindi na sana dadanak ang dugo. Tulad na lamang ng Libreng Sakay na nagging pabor sa mga pasahero at kawalan ng mga drayber. ***
artikulo ni: Kristine Mae Le

Sa wakas, ipamamahagi na rin ang may 5,000 ektaryang lupain na pag-aari ng kamag-anak ni Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III. Hahangaan at paniniwalaan ng sambayanang Pinoy ang ibinabandaling TUWID NA DAAN ni P-Noy sa sandaling siya mismo ang hihikayat sa Cojuangco Family na agad ipatupad ang distribusyon ng malawak na lupain ng Hacienda Luisita at ng Azucarera de Tarlac. Ipinahayag naman ni Agrarian Reform Sec. Virgilio Reyes na agad niyang iuutos ang pamamahagi ng lupain sa may 6,000 obrero at magsasaka na maraming taon nang nagtatrabaho sa sugar plantation at sugar milling business ng

mga Cojuangco. Siyempre pa, nagbunyi ang mga magsasaka sa pagtatamo ng lupa na matagal na nilang binubungkal. Maaaring hindi ninyo kilala si Lola Inyang, 80 anyos, na lumuwas pa sa Maynila mula sa Tarlac para pasalamatan ang Supreme Court na nag-utos sa pamamahagi ng malawak at di-maliparang uwak ng Pamilya Cojuangco! Naalala ko tuloy si Tatang na isang magsasaka at alipin ng lupa sa Bulacan na halos araw-araw ay nasa bukirin, matiyagang nag-aararo kung tag-ulan kasama si kalakian o baguntao upang ihanda ang bukid sa pagtatanim para sa anihan ay meron kaming pang-matrikula sa pag-aaral. Sa Disyembre 14 o 15 ay lalagdaan ni P-Noy ang pambansang budget para sa 2012 na nagkakahalaga ng P1.816 trilyon. Ito marahil ang pinakamabilis na pagpapasa sa national budget sa kasaysayan ng Kamara na ang mga Senador at Kongresista ay kumilos nang apurahan upang magamit ang salapi para sa operasyon ng mga departamento at ahensiya ng pambahang pamahalaan. Ang popularidad ni boxing icon Manny Pacquiao ay biglang bumulusok dahil sa close fight nila ni Mexican boxer Juan Marquez El Dinamita Marquez sa Las Vegas kamakailan. Hindi umubra ang lakas at bilis ni Pacman sa magaling na counter-puncher. Hindi na siya ang pound-for-pound king ng ESPN Sports at Yahoo.com. Nadaig siya ni Floyd Mayweather. Gayunman, siya pa rin ang hari sa Ring Magazine.

Sandiganbayan

Official Sandiganbayan Seal

The Constitution (Art. XI, Sec. 4) provides that the existing anti-graft court, known as the Sandiganbayan, shall continue to function and exercise its jurisdiction.

[edit]

Jurisdiction
Under Republic Act ("RA") No. 8249, the Sandiganbayan shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over: a.) Violations of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Law); RA 1379 (Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Wealth); Crimes by public officers or employees embraced in Ch. II, Sec.2 Title VII, Bk. II of the Revised Penal Code (Crimes committed by Public Officers, namely: Direct Bribery under Art. 210, Indirect Bribery under Art. 211, Qualified Bribery under Art. 211-A, and Corruption of public officials under Art. 212) where

one or more of the accused are officials occupying the following positions in the government whether in a permanent, acting or interim capacity, at the time of the commission of the offense: 1) Officials of the executive branch occupying the positions of regional director and higher, otherwise classified as Grade 27 and higher, of the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989 Republic Act No. 6758) specifically including: i) Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers and other provincial department heads; ii) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panglungsod, city treasurers, assessors, engineers and other department heads; iii) Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher; iv) Philippine Army and Air force colonels, naval captains and all officers of higher rank; v) Officers of the PNP while occupying the position of Provincial Director and those holding the rank of Senior Superintendent or higher; vi) City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants; officials and the prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor; vii) President, directors or trustees or managers of government owned or controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or foundations; 2) Members of Congress and Officials thereof classified as Grade 27 and up under the Compensation and Classification Act of 1989; 3) Members of the Judiciary without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution; 4) Chairmen and members of Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution; 5) All other national and local officials classified as Grade 27 and higher under the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989. b.) Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed in relation to their office by the public officials and employees mentioned above; c.) Civil and Criminal Cases filed pursuant to and in connection with Executive Order Nos. 1, 2, 14 & 14-A issued in 1986

d.) 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 e.) Petitions for Quo Warranto arising or that may arise in cases filed or that may be filed under EO 1, 2, 14 & 14- A f.) OTHERS provided the accused belongs to SG 27 or higher: i. Violation of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards) ii. Violation of RA 7080 (Plunder Law) iii. Violation of RA 7659 (The Heinous Crime Law) iv. RA 9160 (Violation of The Anti-Money Laundering Law when committed by a public officer) v.) PD 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. vi.) PD 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 National Internation Revenue Code (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. It should be

noted that private individu als can be sued in cases before the Sandig anbaya n if they are alleged to be in conspir acy with the public officer. The Sandig anbaya n is vested with appellat e jurisdict ion over final judgme nts, resoluti

ons or orders of the RTC, whether in the exercis e of their original or appellat e jurisdict ion, over crimes and civil cases falling within the original exclusiv e jurisdict ion of the Sandig anbaya n but which were committ ed by

public officers below Salary Grade 27. [edit]

Divisi ons of the Sand iganb ayan

The Sandig anbaya n consist s of three (3) division s - the First Division , Second Division , and Third Division . Each be compos

ed of Presidi ng Justice and the first two Associa te Justice s in the order of preced ence as the respecti ve Chairm en; the next three Associa te Justice s in the order of preced ence as the respecti ve senior membe rs; and the last three Associa

te Justice s in the order of preced ence as the respecti ve junior membe rs. Howev er, until the entire comple ment of the Sandig anbaya n shall have been appoint ed and qualifie d, the Presidi ng justice and the two Associa te Justice

s first appoint ed and qualifie d shall constitu te the First Division . [edit]

Judg ment
The unanim ous vote of three Justice s in a division shall be necess ary for the renditio n of a judgme nt or order. In the event that the three Justice

s do not reach a unanim ous vote, the Presidi ng Justice shall designa ted by raffle two Justice s from among the other membe rs of the Sandig anbaya n to sit tempor arily with them forming a special division of five Justice s, and

the vote of a majority of such special division shall be necess ary for the renditio n of a judgme nt or order. == Form, Finality and Enforce ment of Decisio ns [1]

MANDATE OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN SEC. 5. The Batasang Pambansa shall create a special court, to be known as Sandiganbayan, which shall have jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined by law. (Art. XIII), 1973 Constitution. SEC. 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. (Art. XI), 1987 Constitution.

SEAL OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN The seal of the Sandiganbayan shall be of standard size, circular in form, consisting of two concentric circles as its margins, with the inscription, running from left to right, on the upper margin of the word "Sandiganbayan" and on the lower margin of the words Republika ng Pilipinas with 13 stars representing the existing 13 judicial regions immediately along the outer edge of the inner circle; and with a design at the center of a triangle, with a trisected area composed of the national colors of white on its upper part, blue on the left and red on the right, with the words "KATAPATAN" on the left side, "KAPANAGUTAN" on the right side, and "KARANGALAN" on the base; a star in each corner of the triangle representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao; and a bolo inside the triangle on which is superimposed a balance. VISION We envision a judicial institution that the Filipino people can rely on for the attainment of the highest norms of official conduct required of public officers and employees. MISSION The Sandiganbayan's mission is to give life and meaning to the constitutional precept that a public office is a public trust and to impress upon public officers and employees that they are at all times accountable to the people with their duty to serve with the highest degree of responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency. It carries out this objective by conducting expeditious trials of criminal and civil cases involving offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those employed in government-owned or controlled corporations. JURISDICTION OF SANDIGANBAYAN The jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is perhaps one of the most often amended provision from the 1973 Constitution to RA 8249 of 1997. Before RA 8249, jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan was determined on the basis of the penalty imposable on the offense charged. Then, it was amended such that regardless of the penalty, so long as the offense charged was committed by a public officer, the Sandiganbayan was vested with jurisdiction. Under RA 8249, to determine whether the Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction, lawyers must look into two (2) criteria, namely: The nature of the offense and The salary grade of the public official. Thus, Sec.4 of RA 8249 provides that the Sandiganbayan shall have original exclusive jurisdiction over: I.) Violations of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Law);

II.) RA 1379 (Forfeiture of Illegally Acquired Wealth); III.) Crimes by public officers or employees embraced in Ch. II, Sec.2 Title VII, Bk. II of the RPC (Crimes committed by Public Officers) namely: a) Direct Bribery under Art. 210 as amended by BP 871, May 29, 1985; b) Indirect Bribery under Art. 211 as amended by BP 871, May 29, 1985; c) Qualified Bribery under Art. 211-A as amended by RA 7659, Dec. 13, 1993; d) Corruption of public officials under Art. 212 where one or more of the accused are officials occupying the following positions in the government whether in a permanent, acting or interim capacity, at the time of the commission of the offense: 1) Officials of the executive branch occupying the positions of regional director and higher, otherwise classified as Grade 27 and higher, of the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989 Republic Act No. 6758) specifically including: a) Provincial governors, vice-governors, members of the sangguniang panlalawigan, provincial treasurers, assessors, engineers and other provincial department heads; b) City mayors, vice-mayors, members of the sangguniang panglungsod, city treasurers, assessors, engineers and other department heads; c) Officials of the diplomatic service occupying the position of consul and higher; d) Philippine Army and Air force colonels, naval captains and all officers of higher rank; e) Officers of the PNP while occupying the position of Provincial Director and those holding the rank of Senior Superintendent or higher; f) City and provincial prosecutors and their assistants; officials and the prosecutors in the Office of the Ombudsman and special prosecutor ; g) President, directors or trustees or managers of government owned or controlled corporations, state universities or educational institutions or foundations; 2) Members of Congress and Officials thereof classified as Grade 27 and up under the Compensation and Classification Act of 1989; 3) Members of the Judiciary without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution; 4) Chairmen and members of Constitutional Commissions, without prejudice to the provision of the Constitution; 5) All other national and local officials classified as Grade 27 and higher under the Compensation and Position Classification Act of 1989. IV.) Other offenses or felonies whether simple or complexed with other crimes committed in relation to their office by the public officials and employees mentioned above; V.) Civil and Criminal Cases filed pursuant to and in connection with EO 1, 2, 14 & 14-A issued in 1986

VI.) 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 VII.) Petitions for Quo Warranto arising or that may arise in cases filed or that may be filed under EO 1, 2, 14 & 14- A VIII.) OTHERS provided the accused belongs to SG 27 or higher: a.) Violation of RA 6713 - Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards b.) Violation of RA 7080 - THE PLUNDER LAW c.) Violation of RA 7659 - The Heinous Crime Law d.) RA 9160 - Violation of The Anti-Money Laundering Law when committed by a public officer e.) PD 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. f.) PD 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. It should be noted that private individuals can be sued in cases before the Sandiganbayan if they are alleged to be in conspiracy with the public officer. The Sandiganbayan is vested with Appellate Jurisdiction over final judgments, resolutions or orders of the RTC 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. HISTORY OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN The creation of the Sandiganbayan was originally provided for by Article XIII of the 1973 Constitution: "SEC. 5. The National Assembly shall create a special court, to be known as Sandiganbayan, which shall have jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined by law. In obedience to this mandate, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, exercising the emergency legislative power granted him under Amendment No. 6 of the 1976 Amendments to the 1973 Constitution, issued on June 11, 1978, Presidential Decree No. 1486 creating the Sandiganbayan and putting it on the

same level as what were then known as the Courts of First Instance, now the Regional Trial Courts. Shortly thereafter, however, the Sandiganbayan was elevated to the level of the Court of Appeals by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1606 issued on December 10, 1978. At the start of its operation on February 12, 1979, the Sandiganbayan had only one Division, composed of the Presiding Justice, Hon. Manuel R. Pamaran, and two Associate Justices, Hon. Bernardo P. Fernandez and Hon. Romeo M. Escareal, and a skeleton force of fifteen (15). The start of the third year of the Court's operation in 1981 was marked by the activation of the Second Division. The appointment of three more Justices of the Third Division in August 4, 1982 completed the full membership of the Court. The historic EDSA Revolution of February 1986 that signaled the beginning of a new dispensation, caused substantial changes in the entire government machinery, including the judiciary. However, both the 'Freedom Constitution' and the new Constitution have seen fit to maintain the Sandiganbayan as one of the principal instruments of public accountability. In furtherance of this, its jurisdiction has been broadened to include the so-called 'ill-gotten wealth' cases investigated by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) through Executive Orders No. 14 and No. 14-A. In the reorganization program of the new government, the resignation of some of the members of the Court was accepted leading to the appointment of a new Presiding Justice in the person of Hon. Francis E. Garchitorena. To further strengthen the functional and structural organization of the Sandiganbayan, several amendments have been introduced to the original law creating it, the latest of which are Republic Acts No. 7975 and No. 8249. Under these new laws, the jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan is now confined to cases involving public officials occupying positions classified as salary grade 27 and higher. As restructured, the Sandiganbayan is presently composed of a Presiding Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices who sit in five (5) Divisions of three Justices each in the trial and determination of cases. STATUTORY HISTORY OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN 1. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1486 - CREATING A SPECIAL COURT TO BE KNOWN AS 'SANDIGANBAYAN' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgated June 11, 1978; 2. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 - REVISING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1486 CREATING A SPECIAL COURT TO BE KNOWN AS 'SANDIGANBAYAN' AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES promulgated December 10, 1978; 3. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1629 - AMENDING PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1486 CREATING A SPECIAL COURT TO BE KNOWN AS 'SANDIGANBAYAN', AS REVISED BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 - promulgated July 18, 1979; 4. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1822 - PROVIDING FOR THE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES CHARGED WITH OFFENSES RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES - promulgated January 16, 1981; 5. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 22-A - AMENDING SECTION 1, P.D. NO. 1822, PROVIDING FOR TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES CHARGED WITH OFFENSES RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES - promulgated January 16, 1981; 6. BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129 - THE JUDICIARY REORGANIZATION ACT OF 1980 - promulgated August 14, 1981; 7. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1850 - PROVIDING FOR THE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE INTEGRATED NATIONAL POLICE AND FURTHER DEFINING THE

JURISDICTION OF COURTS-MARTIAL OVER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES - promulgated October 4, 1982; 8. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1860 - AMENDING THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 AND BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129 RELATIVE TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgated January 14, 1983; 9. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1861 - AMENDING THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 AND BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 129 RELATIVE TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE SANDIGANBAYAN AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES - promulgated March 23, 1983; 10. PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1952 - AMENDING SECTION ONE OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1850, ENTITLED 'PROVIDING FOR THE TRIAL BY COURTS-MARTIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE INTEGRATED NATIONAL POLICE AND FURTHER DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OF COURTSMARTIAL OVER MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES' - promulgated September 9, 1984; 11. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 14 - DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OVER CASES INVOLVING THE ILLGOTTEN WEALTH OF FORMER PRESIDENT FERDINAND E. MARCOS, MRS. IMELDA R. MARCOS, MEMBERS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY, CLOSE RELATIVES, SUBORDINATES, CLOSE AND/OR BUSINESS ASSOCIATES, DUMMIES, AGENTS AND NOMINEES - promulgated May 7, 1986; 12. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 14-A - AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 14 - promulgated August 18, 1986; 13. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 101 - FURTHER AMENDING PRESIDETIAL DECREE NO. 1486, AS AMENDED BY PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 CREATING A SPECIAL COURT TO BE KNOWN AS 'SANDIGANBAYAN' - promulgated December 24, 1986; 14. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 184 - AMENDING SECTION 3 OF PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1606 promulgated June 5, 1987. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING JUSTICE 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 Assists the Court in providing the necessary technical and administrative support; exercises supervision over the staff and employees; takes charge of pre and post adjudicative matters. LEGAL RESEARCH & 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 (1ST DIVISION)

Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to the First Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the First Division. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT (2ND DIVISION) Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to the Second Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the Second Division. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT (3RD DIVISION) Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to the Third Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the Third Division. OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT (4TH DIVISION) Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to the Fourth Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the Fourth Division OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CLERK OF COURT (5TH DIVISION) Assists the Clerk of Court in providing technical and administrative support and assistance to the Fifth Division of the Court; takes charge of the pre and post adjudicative matters relative to cases assigned to the Fifth 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 Courts 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 extra-judicial proceedings are accomplished; takes charge of the formulation of effective management and implementation of all kinds of court orders /processes and writs coming from the various divisions of the Court.