MANILA, Philippines ?President Benigno Aquino has appointed a Bulacan judge, who had been considered for promotion more than 20 times, as justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced on Thursday the appointment of Judge Oscar C. Herrera Jr., as Sandiganbayan justice.

The President signed Herrera's appointment papers last April 26.

Before being appointed, Herrera was a presiding judge of the regional trial court of Bulacan. He had been an RTC judge for 17 years and a law professor for 24 years in various law schools such as the University of Sto. Tomas.

According to the Palace, Herrera had been considered for promotion more than 20 times by the Judicial Bar Council.

?He made it 12 times to the shortlist of nominees submitted by the JBC to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (nine times for the Court of Appeals and three times for the Sandiganbayan) but was repeatedly bypassed,? said a statement issued by Lacierda's office.