Does the Sandiganbayan have jurisdiction to hear drug-related cases of government officials?
No. The Sandiganbayan cannot hear drug-related cases involving government officials. As held in the case of De Lima vs. Guerrero, G.R. No. 229781, 10 October 2017, Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002, specifies the Regional Trial Court as the court with jurisdiction to exclusively try and hear cases involving violation of RA 9165. The Supreme Court further ruled that Section 90 of RA 9165 is the special law excluding from the Sandiganbayan’s jurisdiction violations of RA 9165 committed by such public officers. In the latter case, jurisdiction is vested upon the Regional Trial Courts designated by the Supreme Court as drugs court, regardless of whether the violation of RA 9165 was committed in relation to the public officials’ office.
23 May 2025
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