Makati judge named Sandigan justice

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte has appointed Judge Edgardo Caldona of the Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 65 as new justice in the Sandiganbayan.

Caldona, who handled several drug cases, will replace Associate Justice Jose Hernandez who retired from the judiciary in November 2016.

Caldona is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University law school and was former legal staff of the late chief justice Renato Corona.

He also served as judge in Pangasinan.

Caldona was chosen by the President from a shortlist of six nominees submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council, the body tasked to vet nominees to judicial posts.