Former ACCRA law partner Norbeto Geraldez has been appointed by Philippines president Macapagal-Arroyo as presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan – a Philippines court that deals with matters relating to official corruption. 

Geraldez, who is incumbent chairman of the court’s first division, previously served as a partner at ACCRA Law – the country’s second largest law firm by head count. He beat sitting Sandiganbayan justices Francisco Villaruz Jr and Edilberto Sandoval to the position vacated by Presiding Justice Ma Cristina Cortez-Estrada.

Under the country’s constitution the Sandiganbayan is vested with “jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, in relation to their office as may be determined by law.” The Sandiganbayan – which is of equivalent standing to a court of appeal – has heard a number of high-profile cases since its creation, of which the most notable are those against former president Ferdinand Marcos.

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