Sandiganbayan To Sen. JV Ejercito: 90-Day Suspension

Sen. JV Ejercito meted a suspension of three months for graft.

Senator JV Ejercito is suspended from Senate after the Sandiganbayan issued a 90-day suspension order against him and three San Juan City officials over graft charges stemming from the alleged misuse of San Juan city funds in 2008.

The court earlier charged Ejercito and other San Juan City officials with graft and technical malversation over the alleged anomalous use of high-powered firearms worth P2.1 million in 2008.

The senator had posted bail last April 18 for the graft charges following the warrant of arrest against him. A hold departure order was also filed against Ejercito for the charges against him.

Sen. JV Ejercito
Sen. JV Ejercito.

In the order issued on Tuesday, August 23, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division so ordered, “Accused Joseph Victor G. Ejercito is hereby suspended from his position as Senator of the Republic of the Philippines, and from any other public office which he may now or hereafter be holding for a period of ninety (90) days from receipt of this resolution, unless a motion for reconsideration is seasonably filed”.

The others ordered suspended are members of the city government’s Bids and Awards Committee: City Administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, City Attorney Romualdo de los Santos, and City Budget Officer Lorenza Ching.

The court said the Office of the Senate President and the Office of the Mayor of San Juan will be furnished copies of its resolution for implementation.

Ejercito, who was then the mayor of San Juan City, insisted that it was his duty to approve the purchase of firearms to address the crime situation in the city.

Senator Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito.
Senator Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito.

“Our police force needed more than moral support as it urgently needed firepower against criminals who virtually held the city under siege. Thus, I approved the purchase of additional firearms for our police force to protect the lives and property of my constituents,” Ejercito said in a statement.

The senator said he does not regret his decision to purchase the high-powered firearms as it was his duty and responsibility to protect the city residents.

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