Palace downplays doubts on new Sandiganbayan head’s integrity

Malacañang over the weekend downplayed questions about the integrity of newly appointed Sandiganbayan presiding justice Francisco Villaruz Jr., particularly about his role in an “especially created court" that convicted former President Joseph Estrada of plunder. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda insisted President Benigno Aquino III had appointed Villaruz on the basis of the magistrate’s qualifications and integrity. “Wala siyang kinikilingan, gumagawa siya ng desisyon base sa assessment of the facts. He is very qualified and his qualifications speak for themselves," Lacierda said on government-run dzRB radio on Sunday. Villaruz was a member of the Sandiganbayan Special Division that found Estrada guilty of plunder during the Arroyo administration in 2007. Estrada was pardoned, however, by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Lacierda maintained Villaruz is known even in legal circles to be objective and independent. “He’s known for his judicial independence. That’s why we’re confident, that’s the reason the president appointed Justice Villaruz," he said. Last Friday, Lacierda said Aquino signed Villaruz’s appointment papers on October 5. “The Aquino administration is hopeful the reforms it is instituting across all branches of government will gain greater momentum with the appointment of Justice Villaruz," he said. Villaruz is 68 years old and will retire on June 8, 2013. He replaced Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, who retired last June 20. Villaruz worked in the private sector for almost four decades before being appointed Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan in 2001. He was also a Bar Examiner in Criminal Law in 2004 and an Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) lecturer. — MRT/LBG, GMA News