Villaruz was candidate for the vacant post of Supreme Court Associate Justice, duly nominated by the JBC for the vacancy due to retirement of Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez.
On September 5, 2007, Leonardo-de Castro, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Francisco Villaruz Jr. were assigned 2 extra bodyguards 3 weeks ago per initiative of the Sheriff (after getting threatening messages from an anonymous person).
[6][7][8] On September 11, 2007, as controversial political figure, Estrada released a statement to the poor Filipinos: "I have been imprisoned for 6 years, 4 months and 17 days but because of your prayers, help and love, I have endured all these ... Whatever the Sandiganbayan (corruption court) will decide, I am ready because I know my countrymen have acquitted me.
[9] On September 12, 2007, Joseph Estrada was acquitted of perjury but found guilty of plunder and sentenced to reclusion perpetua with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of ill-gotten wealth.
[10] On September 12, 2007, Sandiganbayan's Presiding Justice Teresita De Castro and 2 other magistrates Diosdado M. Peralta and Francisco H. Villaruz Jr. unanimously acquitted his son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, and a lawyer Edward Serapio of plunder charges.
``This verdict is intended to legitimize the occupancy of an illegal tenant in Malacanang[15][16] Estrada, in Filipino barong tagalog (pineapple fibre dress shirt and cream trousers) with his trademark wristband stated that "I thought the role of justice would prevail here but really it's a kangaroo court."
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo stated that the court's decision must be accepted: "We hope and pray that the rule of law will prevail."
"[18] Joseph Estrada rose from obscurirty to having been top Filipino film star, then hit the mark, by claiming the Presidency until destiny sent him to jail.
[22] On September 26, 2007, Joseph Estrada appealed by filing a 63-page motion for reconsideration of the Sandiganbayan judgment penned by Teresita de Castro (submitting 5 legal grounds).
[26] On September 14, 2007, Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol officially stated that Sandiganbayan Justices Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Diosdado Peralta and Francisco Villaruz Jr. should decline Judicial and Bar Council nomination and await other vacancies to ease pressure on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: "Para Hindi na maipit ang Presidente (In order to spare the President from pressure), they should withdraw their nomination.
Parang iyong nangyari kay Justice (Gregory) Ong (Remember what happened in Justice Gregory S. Ong’s case) ...It’s a sacrifice on her part..Hindi niya maiwanan (ang posisyon) (She cannot leave the Sandiganbayan) because of the case of Joseph Estrada - Erap (Estrada’s nickname).
Senate of the Philippines Majority Leader Francis Pangilinan, ex-officio member, Judicial and Bar Council stated that the 3 Sandiganbayan justices "should have the delicadeza not to accept a promotion to the highest tribunal to dispel any suspicion that they pronounced Mr. Estrada guilty expecting a reward from Palace ... We do not want to see a cloud of suspicion over the appointees to the Supreme Court.
We are convinced, then and now, that the special court created to exclusively try the case of President Estrada was established precisely to convict him, which is what exactly happened.