Francisco Villaruz, Jr.

Francisco H. Villaruz, Jr.
Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan
Assumed office
October 5, 2011 – June 8, 2013
Appointed by Benigno Aquino III
Preceded by Edilberto G. Sandoval
Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan
In office
October 2, 2001 – October 5, 2011
Appointed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Personal details
Born (1943-06-08) June 8, 1943
Spouse(s) Teresita M. Villaruz

Francisco H. Villaruz, Jr. (born June 8, 1943) is a Filipino justice. He was appointed on October 5, 2011 by President Benigno Aquino III as Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan replacing Justice Edilberto Sandoval who retired last June 20, 2011. Justice Villaruz has been an Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan since 2001.[1] He took his oath before Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato C. Corona last October 12, 2011.

His most notable case was the Plunder trial of former President Joseph Estrada, being a member of the Sandiganbayan Special Division that convicted the former President of plunder.[2]

Profile

Villaruz's parents are Francisco Villaruz of Nueva Ecija and Consuelo Hernandez-Villaruz of Malabon. He is married to lawyer Teresita M. Villaruz. They have one child: Lawyer Carlos M. Villaruz.

Villaruz finished his elementary (1955) and high school education (1959) at the Ateneo de Manila University. He obtained his B.S. in Political Science degree 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 in 1967. He passed the Philippine Bar Examination of August 1967 with bar rating of 84.6%.[3]

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. A respected expert in his field, Villaruz was also Bar Examiner in Criminal Law in 2004 and an MCLE Lecturer.[1]

Erap Plunder Trial

Villaruz is included in the 3-justices panel who tried the anti-graft court’s special division on the Erap plunder case. The Sandiganbayan, has 90 days or until mid-September 2007 to decide the case of former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, but the decision could be issued much sooner than that. Villaruz was candidate for the vacant post of Supreme Court Associate Justice, duly nominated by the JBC for the vacancy due to retirement of Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez.

On September 5, 2007, Leonardo-de Castro, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Francisco Villaruz, Jr. were assigned 2 extra bodyguards 3 weeks ago per initiative of the Sheriff (after getting threatening messages from an anonymous person). Renato Bocar, executive clerk of court confirmed the “new face" in De Castro’s office who has been “acting like a bodyguard."[4]

On September 7, 2007, the Sandiganbayan's Teresita De Castro announced that the graft court will promulgate the judgment on September 12, 2007 in the 6-year-old plunder trial (October 2001 to June 15, 2007) of ousted President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. The verdict will also include his son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada; and lawyer Eduardo Serapio. Court Sheriff Ed Urieta said tight security will include 4,000 police and 2,000 soldiers, and military. Estrada is accused of stealing 4 billion pesos (US$81 million; €62 million) in illegal funds and falsely declaring his assets.[5] On September 11, 2007, the Supreme Court of the Philippines allowed live television (broadcast media) coverage of the Sandiganbayan's Joseph Estrada's promulgation of judgment on September 12, 2007 (granting the petition of the Kapisanan ng Brodkaster ng Pilipinas). The court, however, directed media to hook up with a video camera of the personnel of the Supreme Court public information office.[6][7][8]

On September 11, 2007, as controversial political figure, Estrada released a statement to the poor Filipinos: "I have been imprisoned for 6 years, 4 months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these ... Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me.[9]

The decision

On September 12, 2007, Joseph Estrada was acquitted of perjury but found guilty of plunder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth.[10]

On September 12, 2007, Sandiganbayan's Presiding Justice Teresita De Castro and 2 other magistrates Diosdado M. Peralta and Francisco H. Villaruz Jr. unanimously acquitted his son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and a lawyer Edward Serapio of plunder charges. The Fallo of the 262-page Decision declared the forfeiture in favor of the government: P542.701 million (bank accounts including interest), P189 million (Jose Velarde accounts including interest) and the Boracay mansion in New Manila, Quezon City.[11][12]

Only the fallo or dispositive part of 2 judgments were read (resulting to only 15 minutes judicial proceedings).[13] During the reading of the judgment, witnesses said Joseph Estrada cried; his wife, Luisa Ejercito Estrada, Jackie Ejercito Lopez, San Juan Mayor Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, (Estrada's son with Guia Gomez), other family members and mistresses (including, Laarni Enriquez) all wept during the promulgation by the clerk.[14]

Estrada's lawyer Estelito Mendoza stated that Estrada will file a motion for reconsideration (before September 27) of the 262-page Judgment and then appeal the verdict to the High Tribunal. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it will support a presidential pardon for Estrada. Jinggoy Estrada said The people will receive this with moral outrage and disgust. The time of reckoning will come. That time may not be too far now. ``This verdict is intended to legitimize the occupancy of an illegal tenant in Malacanang[15][16]

Estrada, in Filipino Barong Tagalog (pineapple fibre dress shirt and cream trousers) with his trademark wristband stated that "I thought the role of justice would prevail here but really it's a kangaroo court." President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stated that the court's decision must be accepted: "We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail." Estrada's counsel Rene A.V. Saguisag issued the statement:"VICTORS' JUSTICE" - "It's victors' justice. It's ruling class justice. The special division (of the court) was programmed to convict. We never had a chance." Estrada will appeal the verdict and would be under automatic review at the Supreme Court of the Philippines.[17]

Estrada told AFP that he was resigned for the latest drama in his presidency: "last and best performance of my life." The prosecution's lead counsel Dennis Villa-Ignacio proudly asserted: "It shows that our judicial system really works.This is the last chance for the state to show that we can do it, that we can charge, prosecute and convict a public official regardless of his stature."[18]

Joseph Estrada rose from obscurirty to having been top Filipino film star, then hit the mark, by claiming the Presidency until destiny sent him to jail. He stated to AFP "I feel depressed, but it's my style not to show it." Before the release of the fatalistic judgment, he warned that he prevent his fans from making street protests.[19]

Estrada returned to his villa in Tanay, Rizal (driven on from a golf cart), to the helicopter)[20] The court permitted him to return to his villa, "until further orders".[21]

Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy stated that the arrival of the USS Chung-Hoon and USS Milius, Missile destroyers was a goodwill visit to strengthen the ties between the United States and the Philippines.[22]

Appeal

On September 26, 2007, Joseph Estrada appealed by filing a 63-page motion for reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan judgment penned by Teresita de Castro (submitting 5 legal grounds).[23][24] Estrada alleged that the court erred "when it convicted him by acquitting his alleged co-conspirators."[25]

On October 5, 2007, the Sandiganbayan's Special Division ruled to have set for October 19, oral argument (instead of a defense reply) on Joseph Estrada’s motion for reconsideration. Estrada asked court permission to attend the hearing, since it ordered the prosecution to file comment before October 11.[26]

Aftermath

On September 14, 2007, Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol officially stated that Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Diosdado Peralta and Francisco Villaruz Jr. should decline Judicial and Bar Council nomination and await other vacancies to ease pressure on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: “Para Hindi na maipit ang Presidente (In order to spare the President from pressure), they should withdraw their nomination. Parang iyong nangyari kay Justice (Gregory) Ong (Remember what happened in Justice Gregory S. Ong’s case) ...It’s a sacrifice on her part..Hindi niya maiwanan (ang posisyon) (She cannot leave the Sandiganbayan) because of the case of Joseph Estrada - Erap (Estrada’s nickname)."[27] In the aftermath of the verdict, De Castro, Villaruz and Peralta are now at the receiving end of 2 unsolicited advices from key officials. Senate of the Philippines Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, ex-officio member, Judicial and Bar Council stated that the 3 Sandiganbayan justices "should have the delicadeza not to accept a promotion to the highest tribunal to dispel any suspicion that they pronounced Mr. Estrada guilty expecting a reward from Palace ... We do not want to see a cloud of suspicion over the appointees to the Supreme Court. They should always be above suspicion.”[28]

On October 16, 2007, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) announced the final nominees to the October 20 Associate Justice Cancio Garcia vacant Supreme Court of the Philippines Associate Justice post. Teresita De Castro, Justices Edgardo Cruz and Martin Villarama, got 7 out of 8 votes, while Associate Justices Francisco Villaruz and Edilberto G. Sandoval and Labor Secretary Arturo D. Brion got 5 votes each (from the JBC). The President has 90 days to choose from the above final list.[29]

On November 5, 2007, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, in a privileged speech vowed to block the appointment to the Supreme Court of Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita De Castro and Francisco Villaruz, Jr. (who convicted his father - President Joseph Estrada). Jinggoy said that: "Such a promotion would seem like a reward in exchange for the guilty verdict against the deposed President. We are convinced, then and now, that the special court created to exclusively try the case of President Estrada was established precisely to convict him, which is what exactly happened."[30]

Reactions

TRAINING COURSES

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Francisco Villaruz is new Presiding Justice of Sandiganbayan". Interaksyon.com. Philippine New Agency. 2011-10-25. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  2. ↑ "Francisco Villaruz is Sandiganbayan presiding justice". Newsinfo.inquirer.net. 2011-10-08. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  3. ↑ "GMA NEWS.TV, Personal Data Sheet of Villaruz". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  4. ↑ "GMA NEWS.TV, Sandigan justices get extra guards over threats". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  5. ↑ "IHT, Philippine court to rule on ex-president's plunder trial Sept. 12". International Herald Tribune. 2009-03-29. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  6. ↑ Abs-Cbn Interactive, SC allows live coverage of Erap trial Archived September 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  7. ↑ "Inquirer.net, TIMELINE, The Estrada Trial". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  8. ↑ "NewsMonstersandcritics.com, Timeline of former Philippine president Joseph Estrada's trial". News.monstersandcritics.com. 2007-09-10. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  9. ↑ "BBC NEWS, Estrada gets life for corruption". BBC News. 2007-09-12. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  10. ↑ "Gma News.Tv, The Sandiganbayan Decision". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  11. ↑ "GMA NEWS.TV, Sandigan forfeits Erap's 'Velarde' accounts, Boracay mansion". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  12. ↑ Conde, Carlos H. (2007-09-12). "New York Times, Philippines Ex-President Convicted". Philippines: Nytimes.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  13. ↑ Gopalakrishnan, Raju (2007-09-12). "Reuters, Philippines' Estrada deadpan when sentenced to life". In.reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  14. ↑ "GMA NEWS. TV, Erap plunder drama: The wife cried, and mistress, too". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  15. ↑ Ann, Luzi (2007-09-12). "Bloomberg, Philippines' Estrada Guilty of `Plunder,' Faces Life". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  16. ↑ "Inquirer.net, Estrada to file motion for reconsideration--lawyers". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  17. ↑ Mogato, Manny (2007-09-12). "Reuters, Philippines' Estrada gets life". Reuters.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  18. ↑ CNN.com, Deposed Philippine president given life sentence for plunder Archived September 17, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ↑ "AFP.google.com, Estrada: from movie star to Philippine president - to jailbird". Afp.google.com. 2007-09-11. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  20. ↑ "Inquirer.net, Estrada back in Tanay resthouse". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  21. ↑ "Washington Post, Philippines' Estrada gets life". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  22. ↑ "Inquirer.net, US warships arrive in RP". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  23. ↑ "Monstersandcritics.com, Philippines' ex-president Estrada appeals conviction for plunder". News.monstersandcritics.com. 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  24. ↑ "English.people.com, Convicted Philippine ex-president files reconsideration motion". English.people.com.cn. 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  25. ↑ "Inquirer.net, Estrada asks Sandiganbayan to reverse conviction, Cites acquittal of co-accused". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  26. ↑ ManilaBulletin, Erap wants to attend Sandigan oral arguments
  27. ↑ "GMA NEWS.TV, Palace urges Sandigan justices to decline SC nomination". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  28. ↑ "Manila Standard Today, A no-win situation". Manilastandardtoday.com. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  29. ↑ "Inquirer.net, Sandiganbayan, 2 CA justices lead nominees for SC post". Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  30. ↑ "gmanews.tv, Jinggoy vows to block Sandigan justices' appointment to SC". Gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
  31. ↑ "Sun Star, De Castro's appointment to SC a political reward: Erap". Sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved 2011-11-11.
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