MANILA – The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court judge who acquitted former senator Leila de Lima from her illegal drug-related case has been appointed as an associate justice of the Sandiganbayan.
Judge Gener Gito of the Muntinlupa City RTC Branch 206 was appointed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday to replace retired Oscar Herrera Jr.
Months ago, Gito granted de Lima’s demurrer to evidence, which effectively dismissed her third and final drug case and freeing the former senator from detention.
The case stemmed from testimonies of inmates Rodolfo Magleo and Nonilo Arile claiming that that big-time drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison were giving commissions to de Lima during her term as Justice secretary.
Both Magleo and Arile, however, have recanted their statements, which led to Gito granting de Lima’s demurrer to evidence.
Gito got his Political Science degree at the University of Batangas before obtaining a law degree at the San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
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./PN
