The Sandiganbayan has denied the motion filed by Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. James “Jojo” Ang to quash one of his graft cases stemming from his alleged prohibited financial interest in a government contract.
In its August 24, 2026 resolution, the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division rejected Ang’s argument that the Sandiganbayan has no jurisdiction because the case did not allege bribery or damage to the government.
Ang had contended that the case should be dismissed because it should have been filed before the regional trial court (RTC).
He cited Republic Act No. 10660, which provides that the RTC shall have exclusive original jurisdiction where the information does not allege any damage to the government or any bribery.
It also states that the RTC has jurisdiction in a case that alleges damage to the government or bribery arising from the transaction in an amount not exceeding P1 million.
But the Sandiganbayan said the Information against Ang alleged that the transaction caused prejudice and damage to the government and public interest.
It also said there is no allegation of damage to the government in an amount not exceeding P1 million, so it cannot fall under the RTC’s jurisdiction.
While the information referred to an P8 million contract, it said this was not the damage to the government alleged.
It also said it looked into the congressional deliberations of RA 10660, and these showed that the intent was to maintain with the Sandiganbayan cases where the information alleges damage to the government or bribery that is unquantifiable.
It said the non-mention of the amount of damage to the government in the information against Ang, coupled with the accusation that his alleged act violated the Constitution, would indicate that the damage alleged in the Information is unquantifiable.
“The crime charged in the present case is, thus, one which the Congress intended to remain under the exclusive original jurisdiction of the Sandiganbayan,” it added.
The case is one of 14 counts of violating Section 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act filed against Ang for alleged conflict of interest, which stem from his alleged stake in a construction firm that won government contracts while he was serving as a lawmaker.
In a separate resolution, the Sandiganbayan denied Ang’s plea to consolidate his 14 graft cases under one division.
It said consolidating the cases would not expedite the proceedings, noting that each of them involves a separate and distinct project.
It said there would probably be delays because if the cases were consolidated, each case would be compelled to wait for the completion of the presentation of evidence before they can be resolved.