President Aquino on Monday appointed six new associate justices of the Sandiganbayan who will compose the additional two divisions in the anti-graft court.
Named as magistrates of the anti-graft court were Associate Justices Michael Frederick Musngi, Reynaldo Cruz, Ma. Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, Karl Miranda, Zaldy Trespeses and Geraldine Faith Econg.
Mendoza-Arcega, Trespeses, and Econg took their oath before Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, while Musngi, Cruz and Miranda before Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza.
The President appointed them following the passage of Republic Act 10660, which strengthens the functions and structures of the anti-graft court to speed up resolution of cases.
Under the law, two divisions will be added to the existing five, all with three members each.
The Judicial and Bar Council submitted to the President the shortlist for the post last October.