Geraldine Econg
Geraldine Econg | |
|---|---|
| 11th Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Ferdinand Marcos Jr. |
| Preceded by | Amparo Cabotaje-Tang |
| 60th Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2016 | |
| Appointed by | Benigno Aquino III |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Geraldine Faith Abracia Econg August 6, 1967 Philippines |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Geraldine Faith Abracia Econg (born August 6, 1967) is a Filipino jurist who currently serves as the Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan, the Philippines' anti-graft court. She was appointed to the post by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on January 7, 2025, succeeding Amparo Cabotaje Tang.[1][2][3]
Prior to this, she served as Sandiganbayan Associate Justice from 2016 to 2025.[4]
Early career and education
Econg, a cum laude law graduate from the University of San Carlos, began her judicial career as presiding judge in Minglanilla, Cebu, from 2002 to 2004. She then served as presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court Branch 9 in Cebu City from 2004 to 2010.[5]
In 2010, she was appointed Judicial Reform Program Administrator of the Supreme Court's Program Management Office, where she oversaw the implementation of the Action Program for Judicial Reform until 2015. She then headed the Office of the Philippine Judicial Academy from 2015 to 2016.[5]
In January 2016, she was appointed associate justice of the Sandiganbayan, where she initially served in the First Division before later chairing the Second Division.[6]
Judicial appointments
In 2013, Econg was shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for a seat in the Court of Appeals in Cebu, and in 2014, she was also shortlisted for Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas.[6] In 2021, she was also nominated as one of the nine candidates for the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.[7]
On January 20, 2016, President Benigno Aquino III appointed her Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan, where she chaired the Second Division before her promotion to Presiding Justice in 2025.[8]
She was appointed as Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan, succeeding retired Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang by President Bongbong Marcos on January 7, 2025. Econg, although recently appointed as Presiding Justice with a term set to continue until 2037, is now pursuing the position of Ombudsman.[9][10]
Notable cases
Econg has participated in several high-profile cases, including:
- Voting to acquit Senator Bong Revilla of plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam in 2018.[11]
- Joining the special division that dismissed the plunder case against former senator Juan Ponce Enrile in 2024.[12]
- Authoring the decision dismissing the last six coconut levy cases involving former president Ferdinand Marcos, former first lady Imelda Marcos, Enrile, and others.[13][14]
As a lower court judge, she also presided over the parricide case against former lawmaker Ruben Ecleo Jr. and disputes involving the Mactan Cebu International Airport.[15]
Controversies
In 2007, Econg underwent drug testing after an anonymous accusation, which yielded no adverse findings. She also faced an administrative case related to an alleged marriage scam in Cebu, which was dismissed for lack of evidence.[16]
References
- Bolledo, Jairo (January 9, 2025). "Marcos picks new chief of court that handles his family's ill-gotten wealth cases[17]". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Esguerra, Darryl John (January 9, 2025). "PBBM names Geraldine Faith Econg new Sandiganbayan Presiding Judge". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Cuadra, Addie (January 9, 2025). "Marcos appoints Geraldine Faith Abracia Econg as new Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Romero, Alexis (January 10, 2025). "Marcos appoints new Sandigan presiding judge". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "Sandiganbayan may 6 na bagong hukom". Pilipino Star Ngayon. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b Palaubsanon, Mitchelle L. (June 22, 2021). "Associate Justice Econg gets Supreme Court nomination". The Freeman. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ a b "JBC shortlists 5 nominees for Visayas ombudsman". Philippine Star. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Cuadra, Addie (January 9, 2025). "Marcos appoints Geraldine Faith Abracia Econg as new Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Geducos, Argyll Cyrus (January 9, 2025). "PBBM names Geraldine Econg as new Sandiganbayan presiding justice". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Bolledo, Jairo (July 15, 2025). "Applications for Ombudsman 2025: Front runners". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Ferrerias, Vince Angelo (January 8, 2025). "Marcos names Geraldine Faith Econg as new Sandiganbayan presiding justice". GMA News Online. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "Sandiganbayan acquits Bong Revilla of plunder". Rappler. December 7, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Bolledo, Jairo (October 4, 2024). "Juan Ponce Enrile acquitted of plunder in pork barrel scam". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Seares, Pachico A. (July 14, 2025). "Cebuana Sandiganbayan presiding justice Geraldine Faith Econg tells why she voted to acquit Bong Revilla, Enrile; explains dropping of several cases vs. Marcoses – wants to become Ombudsman: "My dream"". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Pulta, Benjamin (October 9, 2024). "Sandiganbayan junks P276-M civil case vs. Marcoses". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ Macasero, Ryan (July 30, 2020). "Revisiting Ruben Ecleo Jr's Cebu City murder case". Rappler. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "SunStar: 5th judge in Cebu marriage scam under probe". GMA News Online. July 14, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ https://www.rappler.com/philippines/marcos-picks-new-chief-sandiganbayan-court-handles-family-ill-gotten-wealth-cases/