The Philippine Online Chronicles

Palace is again out to defend another appointed official, this time, Sandiganbayan presiding justice Francisco Villaluz Jr. who replaced retired Justice Edilberto Sandoval.

Villaluz’s appointment was signed by President Benigno Aquino III on Oct. 5 after topping the shortlist of the Judicial and Bar Council. He was among the anti-graft court magistrates who convicted President Joseph Estrada of plunder in 2007.

This is the same reason why Villaluz is being questioned for his integrity and credibility, raising speculations that he has links with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because of the conviction of Estrada.

Estrada then claimed that Arroyo especially created the Sandiganbayan special court to convict him.

But Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda asserted that the President made the right decision in appointing Villaluz.

“He is known to be man of integrity and wala ‘yang kinikilingan [He does not take sides]. Gumagawa siya ng decision [He makes decisions] based on independent assessment and facts and the law of the case; he’s a very qualified justice and again, his qualifications speak for himself,” Lacierda said.

He said Villaluz is known in legal circles to be objective and independent.

“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.

Villaluz who is 68 years old is set to retire in 2013. He worked in the private sector for four decades before being appointed Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan in 2001. He was a Political Science graduate of Ateneo de Manila University and graduated Law in the University of the Philippines.