Aquino appoints new Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice

Friday, October 7, 2011

MANILA - President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Associate Justice Francisco H. Villaruz Jr. as Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Villaruz's appointment papers were signed by the President last October 5.

Justice Villaruz worked in the private sector for almost four decades before being appointed Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan in 2001.

"He 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," said Lacierda.

Villaruz was also Bar Examiner in Criminal Law in 2004 and an MCLE Lecturer.

He 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.

He is 68 years old and will retire on June 8, 2013.

"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," said Lacierda.

"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. (Jill
Beltran/Sunnex)