Sandiganbayan issues hold departure vs JV Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines – Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Monday issued a hold departure order against Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito following the graft and technical malversation charges against him.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued the order against Ejercito and five other former officials of San Juan City who are also facing graft charges for the procurement of sub-machine guns without public bidding.

Former City Administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, treasurer Rosalinda Marasigan, city attorney Romualdo Delos Santos, city budget officer Lorenza Ching and city engineer Danilo Mercado are also barred from leaving the country.

The Office of the Ombudsman earlier filed charges against Ejercito and 19 others before the Sandiganbayan for the allegedly anomalous procurement of high-powered firearms of San Juan City in 2008.

Ejercito, however, maintained that he did not commit technical malversation and that the firearms purchase was done in accordance with the law.