JBC nominates 4 Sandiganbayan bets

MANILA, Philippines - Four Sandiganbayan justices were nominated to the post of presiding justice of the anti-graft court by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

The JBC came up with a shortlist to be submitted to President Aquino.

Acting Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval and Associate Justice Francisco Villaruz topped the list and got unanimous votes from all seven members of the JBC, led by Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Associate Justices Efren de la Cruz and Gregory Ong each got six votes.

The next presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan is a crucial appointment since he will head the court that will try possible graft cases against officials in the previous administration.

The Sandiganbayan was headed by Presiding Justice Norberto Geraldez who died from pancreatic cancer complications at the age of 60 last April 4.