MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Ejercito on Thursday personally posted a P30,000 bail, a day after the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued a warrant against him for graft charges.
Ejercito, accompanied by his legal counsel Sigfrid Fortun, posted a bail bond in cash around 9 a.m. as indicated in the Sandiganbayan Cashier’s Section check.
Last March 30, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft and technical malversation charges against Ejercito before the Sandiganbayan. Fourteen other former San Juan City officials also face charges of technical malversation for the illegal use of public funds or property.
The charge arose from an alleged anomalous purchase of high-powered firearms for San Juan City in 2008 when Ejercito was still a mayor.
The Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor then recommended a bail bond of P30,000 for graft and another P6,000 for the illegal use of public funds or technical malversation.
The warrant of arrest was issued on Wednesday against Ejercito and five other former officials namely city administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, treasurer Rosalinda Marasigan, city attorney Romualdo Delos Santos, city budget officer Lorenza Ching and city engineer Danilo Mercado.
The anti-graft court earlier issued a hold departure order against Ejercito, Dacalos, Delos Santos, Ching and Mercado.
Meanwhile, Ejercito said he thinks local politics is involved in the graft charges he is facing before the Sandiganbayan.
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