The Sandiganbayan has granted the appeal of Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito that he be allowed to attend a four-day forum on global health in Tokyo, Japan.
At a hearing conducted by the anti-graft's Sixth Division, Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada approved the motion to travel by Ejercito from Aug.23 to 26.
In his motion, Ejercito said the Japan Parliamentary League for the World Health Organization asked him to attend its third meeting on the Asia Pacific Parliamentarian Forum on Global Health.
Attached to Ejercito's motion was an authorization to travel for the forum issued by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
Ejercito said he must be allowed to attend the forum not only as part of his function as legislator but also because of the fact that he is still presumed innocent on the anti-graft case leveled against him. He added he is not a flight risk.
Ejercito is facing a technical malversation case at the Sandiganbayan over the allegedly anomalous purchase of high-powered firearms worth P2.1 million during his tenure as San Juan City mayor.
“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 read.
The Ombudsman’s case information filed by the Ombudsman, Ejercito alleged to have conspired with San Juan City officials for the purchase of high-powered firearms in February to August 2008 during his term as the city mayor.
The Ombudsman said the funds utilized for the purchase of the firearms was sourced from the city government’s calamity fund, despite the fact that there was no state of calamity at that time.
The Ombudsman also alleged the purchase was illegal as this was carried out without public bidding and without examination of the supplier’s qualifications.