Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Aquino appoints 6 new Sandiganbayan justices





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MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III named 6 new justices to the anti-graft court on Monday, January 25.

They are:

Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi
Associate Justice Reynaldo Cruz
Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Mendoza-Arcega
Associate Justice Karl Miranda
Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses
Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg

The new justices took their oath on the same day before before Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno (Mendoza-Arcega, Trespeses, and Econg) and Justice Francis Jardeleza (Musngi, Cruz and Miranda).

In April 2015, President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10660, strengthening the functions and structures of the anti-graft court to speed up hearings of cases. (READ: Aquino signs law expanding Sandiganbayan to 7 divisions)

Under the law, two divisions will be added to the existing 5, all with 3 members each.

The Judicial and Bar Council submitted to the President the short lists for the posts last October. – Rappler.com

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