Pimentel refers JV suspension to Senate committee on rules

MANILA, Philippines - Instead of enforcing a Sandiganbayan order, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has referred the anti-graft court’s preventive suspension of Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito to the committee on rules.

Pimentel, through his chief of staff Daniel Santos, told the anti-graft court that the Senate officially received copies of the Aug. 15 suspension order on Aug. 22.

In his letter to the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division dated Aug. 31, Pimentel said his move was pursuant to Rule 10 Section 13(1) of the Rules of the Senate with the end view of complying with the Aug. 22 resolution of the court.

“Furthermore, we have to be sure that Senator Ejercito has not availed of his right to file a motion for reconsideration,” Santos said.

The Sandiganbayan issued the 90-day suspension order against Ejercito two weeks ago because of a graft case involving the purchase of P2.1 million worth of firearms using calamity funds when he was mayor of San Juan City in 2008.

According to the Sandiganbayan, the suspension will commence from the time Ejercito receives the resolution, unless he files a motion for reconsideration within the period prescribed by law.

Also ordered suspended were San Juan City administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, legal officer Romualdo delos Santos and documentation and compliance special assistant Lorenza Ching.

Ejercito, in reaction, said he was saddened by the suspension but maintained his innocence and willingness to face trial and absolve himself.

“I wish to make it clear that I respect the order of the court. I am fighting this legal battle without delay as deep in my heart, I know I did the right thing and that justice in the end will be on my side,” he said.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, chairman of the rules committee, said the panel has three options: implement the Sandiganbayan suspension order, study it further or not to enforce it.

Sotto said members of the committee would have to take into consideration that the alleged anomalous act was done during Ejercito’s term as mayor of San Juan.

He noted the suspension was “preventive” and not punitive, thus they would have to determine if the order would still apply since Ejercito had been elected senator.