GR No. 191894

Danilo Duncano vs Sandiganbayan

GR No. 191894

Facts:

Duncano was a high ranking public officer being the Regional Director of Revenue Region No. 7. He has failed to disclose in his SALN the financial and business interests that he and his family are registered owners. Such non-disclosure may damage and prejudice the public interest.

Issue:

Whether or not the Sandiganbayan has the jurisdiction to try Duncano of the case filed against him.

Held:

Yes, Sandiganbayan does not have the jurisdiction to try Duncano. The Sandiganbayan can only have such when violations of Section 3 (a) and (e) of RA No 3019 are committed by public officials and employees occupying positions of regional director and higher salary with Salary Grade 27 or higher.

As a cardinal rule in statutory construction, particular words, clauses, and phrases should not be studied as detached and isolated expressions, but the whole and every part of the statute must be considered in fixing the meaning of any of its parts, in order to produce a harmonious whole.