UY v.

SANDIGANBAYAN

DOCTRINE: It is the prosecutor, not the Ombudsman, who has the authority to file the corresponding
information/s against petitioner in the regional trial court. The Ombudsman exercises prosecutorial
powers only in cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.

FACTS: Petitioner, the Deputy Comptroller of the Philippine Navy was designated by his
immediate supervisor, to act on the latter's behalf, during his absence, on matters relating to the
activities of the Fiscal Control Branch. This included the authority to sign disbursement vouchers relative
to the procurement of equipment needed by the Philippine Navy.
Consequently, six informations for estafa through falsification of official documents and
one for violation of Section 3 (e), R.A. No. 3019, as amended, were led with the Sandiganbayan against
the petitioner and nineteen (19) co-accused.
Special Prosecutor Desierto reduced the number of those to be charged under R.A. No.
3019, as amended, to five (5), including petitioner and recommended that six (6) separate informations
for violation of Section 3(e), R.A. 3019, as amended, be led against the petitioner.
In the petitioner’s motion to quash filed with the Sandiganbayan, he questioned if the
Special Prosecutor has authority to file the six information against him. Sandiganbayan denied the
motion. Hence, the petition.
ISSUE: W/N the respondents Ombudsman and Special Prosecutor have the authority to file the
questioned amended information.

RULING: WHEREFORE, the Resolution of the Sandiganbayan in the Criminal Case, is hereby
ANNULLED and SET ASIDE.

RATIO: The Court ruled that the Sandiganbayan has no jurisdiction over petitioner at the time of
the filing of the informations, and as now prescribed by law. While petitioner is charged with violation of
Section (3) of R.A. No. 3019, as amended, which is an offense covered by Section 4 of the Sandiganbayan
Law, his position of lieutenant Commander of the Philippine navy is a rank lower than naval captains and
all officers of higher rank as prescribed under sub-paragraph (d) of Section 4. Thus, not falling within the
rank requirement stated in Sec. 4, exclusive jurisdiction over petitioner is vested in the regular courts
pursuant to the provision of Section 4 of the Sandiganbayan Law, as amended by R.A. No. 8249. In this
connection, it is the prosecutor, not the Ombudsman, that has the authority to file the corresponding
information against petitioner in the regional trial court. The Ombudsman exercises prosecutorial
powers only in cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan.