Suspected of graft over a misuse of funds to purchase 20 submachine guns, government prosecutors have asked the Sandiganbayan to suspend Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito from office.
The prosecution sought the preventive suspension of Ejercito and three incumbent San Juan officials being tried on graft over alleged irregularities in the P2.1-million purchase.
The suspension order also includes were city administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, legal officer Romualdo De los Santos, and special assistant to the mayor, Lorenza Ching.
Ejercito vowed to thwart the suspension orders while on graft trial, saying that he owed to the people who elected him in the 2013 polls.
"I intend to vigorously oppose the motion of the prosecution to stop me from performing my duties as senator of the republic," Ejercito said in a statement.
"I owe it to the more than 13.6 million Filipinos who voted for me in 2013 to continue with my legislative duties. I intend to do my work in support of the new administration of President Duterte and in the service of our people," he said.
Ejercito said his lawyers would counter the prosecution’s bid to suspend him, but promised to adhere to Sandiganbayan's due process of law.
Ejercito, who served three consecutive terms as mayor from 2001 to 2010, was accused of conspiring with other local officials to tap the city government’s calamity funds to buy the firearms in February 2008.
The senator is also facing technical malversation charges connected to the same firearms purchase amounting to P2.1 million.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Image: CNN Philippines
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