THE SANDIGANBAYAN SHALL EXERCISE EXCLUSIVE APPELLATE JURISDICTION OVER FINAL JUDGMENTS, RESOLUTIONS OR ORDERS OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS WHETHER IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR OWN ORIGINAL JURISDICTION OR OF THEIR APPELLATE JURISDICTION:

     Section 2, Rule XI, Part III of the Revised Internal Rules of the Sandiganbayan reads: “SEC. 2. Petition for Review. – Appeal to the Sandiganbayan from a decision of the Regional Trial Court in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction shall be by a Petition for Review under Rule 42 of the 1997 Rules of Civil Procedure.”  (Filomena L. Villanueva vs. People, G.R. No. 188630, Feb. 23, 2011, MENDOZA, J.).