PNoy appoints Villaruz as new Sandiganbayan presiding justice

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr. as the new Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan. In a press statement issued Friday, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino signed Villaruz's appointment papers on October 5. "The Aquino administration is hopeful that the reforms it is instituting across all branches of government will gain greater momentum with the appointment of Justice Villaruz," Lacieda said. "The Filipino people can rest assured that government positions integral to the straight path will continue to be filled based on merit, integrity, and competence," he added. The new Sandiganbayan presiding justice is 68 years old and will retire on June 8, 2013. Villaruz replaced Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, who hanged his robes last June 20 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. Other aspirants for the post were Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos, Efren dela Cruz and Gregory Ong, and deputy court administrator Norma Vilches, law practitioners Tomas O. Cabili, Benguet trial court judge Danilo Camacho, and Manila trial court judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. Private sector Villaruz worked in the private sector for almost four decades before being appointed Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan in 2001. Lacierda said Villaruz is known for his professionalism and diligence, proof of which are the six decisions and 100 resolutions that he renders every month, and his 99 percent affirmance rating. Justice Villaruz was also a Bar Examiner in Criminal Law in 2004 and an MCLE lecturer. Villaruz obtained his B.S. in Political Science from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1963 and his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines, where he graduated third in his class, before being admitted to the Bar in 1968. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News