Practice question
An information charges a covered official under RA 3019 for a post-effectivity offense. It alleges neither any government damage nor any bribery. The prosecutor argues that Salary Grade 28 alone makes Sandiganbayan jurisdiction unavoidable, disregarding RA 10660's express proviso. Under that amended provision, which answer is correct?
- The prosecutor is correct because rank defeats every proviso
- Every graft accusation must be tried only in the Supreme Court
- A private complainant may select either court at will
- The RTC carve-out expressly covers an information that alleges no government damage or bribery, despite the stated rank
- The absence of those allegations automatically acquits the accused on all possible charges
Legal references
- Republic Act No. 10660, April 16, 2015, Sections 1–3 and 5, amending PD 1606: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2015/ra_10660_2015.html
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