Judge in de Lima drug raps acquittal joins Sandiganbayan

Judge Gener Gito of Branch 206 of the Regional Trial Court in Muntinlupa City has been appointed an associate justice of the Sandiganbayan. —File photo from his Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — One of the Muntinlupa City judges who acquitted former Sen. Leila de Lima in her illegal drug-related case has been appointed as an associate justice of the Sandiganbayan.

According to a letter signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. dated October 8 and released to the media on Thursday, Judge Gener Gito will replace Oscar Herrera Jr.

Herrera has already retired from the position.

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Gito got his political science degree at the University of Batangas before obtaining a law degree at the San Sebastian College-Recoletos.

In a Facebook post, San Sebastian College-Recoletos congratulated Gito on his appointment.

The UST Graduate School of Law also congratulated him on his new role.

“Congratulations to Justice Gener M. Gito, DCL, an alumnus of the Doctor of Civil Law program (Class of 2016) and a valued member of our academic staff,” it said in a Facebook post.

“We are honored to celebrate his appointment as Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan. The entire GS Law community takes pride in this outstanding accomplishment!” it added.

Before becoming a judge, Gito was a professor at the De La Salle University, San Beda College, College of the Holy Spirit, Far Eastern University, and the Universidad de Manila.

He also worked in the Court of Appeals and Senate and was an associate partner in different law offices.