Sandiganbayan resets Jojo Ang’s 3rd arraignment for graft

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division on Thursday reset Uswag Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang’s third arraignment proceeding for graft, its clerk of court said on Thursday.

The Fourth Division clerk of court said this is due to Ang’s pending motion to quash or junk his case, as well as his motion to consolidate all of his 14 counts of cases. 

According to prosecutors, Ang allegedly had a stake in a construction firm that won P214 million in Public Works contracts while he was a sitting party-list representative.

READ: Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant vs Rep. Jojo Ang, ex-Rep. Arnulfo Go

The first two arraignment proceedings of Ang at the Second Division (Aug. 3) and in Fifth Division (Aug. 12) were also reset due to similar motions the lawmaker filed before the said divisions.

The Second Division rescheduled Ang’s arraignment to Sept. 8 and the Fifth Division on Sept. 24, while the Fourth Division has yet to set a date. 

Prosecutors indicted Ang for violation of Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits government officials from having direct or indirect financial interest in any business, contract, or transaction in which they intervene or take part in their official capacity.

READ: Rep. Jojo Ang questions Sandigan jurisdiction in graft cases

In his first arraignment proceeding, Ang’s lawyer Luis Veracruz said they filed a motion to quash as they question the jurisdiction of the anti-graft court in his case. /das