Crescente Llorente, Jr.

vs.
Sandiganbayan
G.R. 122297-98
January 19, 2000
 Facts

◈ Crescente Y. Llorente, Jr. was elected as municipal mayor of

Sindangan, Zamboanga in 1988 and 1992, and as
congressman in 1995.
◈ An information was filed against him in the Sandiganbayan
for violation of Sec. 3(e) of R.A. 3019 in 1993 and another in
1995 this time for violation of Sec. 3(f) of R.A. 3019.
◈ The trial has not begun in both cases when in May 16, 1995,
R.A. 7975 was enacted amending P.D. No. 1606.
 “
◈ ARGUMENT:
◈ Llorente argued that the enactment
of Republic Act No. 7975 divested
the Sandiganbayan of its jurisdiction
over criminal cases against
municipal mayors for violations of
Republic Act No. 3019 who receive
salary less than that corresponding
to Grade 27.
 “
ISSUE:

Whether or not Republic Act No.

7975 divested the Sandiganbayan
of its jurisdiction over violations of
Republic Act No. 3019, as
amended, against municipal
mayors.
 Ruling
◈ The Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction over violations of
RA 3019 by municipal mayors. RA 7975 did not divest
the Sandiganbayan of its jurisdiction over violations of
the said law by municipal mayors.
◈ There is no merit in Llorente's contention that the
salary received by a public official determines his
salary grade. It is the official's grade that determines
his or her salary.