MANILA, Aug 7– The Sandiganbayan has permitted Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito to travel to Tokyo, Japan for a four-day forum on global health.
The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division chaired by Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada granted Ejercito the motion to travel from Aug. 23-26, 2017.
In his two-page motion, Ejercito said he was invited to attend the third meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health which will be hosted by the Japan Parliamentary League for the World Health Organization (WHO).
He also attached an authorization to travel issued by Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III for the forum.
Ejercito had argued that he should be allowed to push through with the trip since he is still presumed innocent and “there has been no finding of guilt” thus far.
He said he is also not a flight risk, saying he has no intention to flee his case with the Sandiganbayan being an incumbent senator.
“Accused is not a flight risk, as he is a Senator of the Republic and owes fidelity to the people who voted for him. His scheduled quick return to the country also manifests the absence of any intention on his part to flee,” Ejercito’s motion said.
Ejercito is facing a technical malversation case before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of high-powered firearms worth PHP2.1 million during his term as San Juan City mayor.
In the information filed by the Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman), Ejercito allegedly conspired with San Juan City officials for the purchase of high-powered firearms in February to August 2008 during his term as city mayor.
The Ombudsman argued that the money used for the purchase of the firearms came from the city government’s calamity fund, despite the fact that there was no state of calamity at that time.
It added that the purchase was done in haste without competitive bidding and examination of the supplier’s qualifications. (PTR/PNA)
