Presiding justice in Erap trial named

The Supreme Court has designated Acting Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval as chairman of the anti-graft court’s special division trying the plunder case of deposed President Joseph Estrada.

The SC also named Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz as a new member of the special division.

In a one page resolution, the SC en banc said the designation was made based on letters of Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio of the Office of the Ombudsman, as well as those of Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro and Sandoval himself.

Sandoval, who took the place of former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario after her appointment to the SC by President Arroyo, is the most senior member of the Sandiganbayan and chairman of the anti-graft court’s second division, where Villaruz is also a member.

Sandoval and Villaruz are among the six contenders for appointment as Sandiganbayan presiding justice. Villaruz is also a candidate for SC justice to replace Jose Vitug, who retired on July 14.

The Judicial Bar Council (JBC) is the constitutional body that screens candidates to vacant judicial posts and prepares a list of nominees from which the President may pick an appointee. — Aurea Calica