JV Ejercito on graft charge: ‘My conscience remains clear’

Senator JV Ejercito. Screengrabbed from INQUIRER.net video

Senator Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito lamented as “unfortunate” on Wednesday the Ombudsman’s filing of graft and technical malversation cases against him, saying his conscience “remains clear.”

The cases filed at the Sandiganbayan stemmed from the allegedly anomalous purchase of high-powered fireams worth P2.1 million in 2008 when he was mayor of San Juan City.

READ: JV Ejercito, San Juan VM Zamora face graft raps over P2.1-M gun deal

“It is unfortunate that the Office of the Ombudsman denied my Motion for Reconsideration on the 2008 case of firearms procurement, when I was San Juan City Mayor,” Ejercito said in a statement.

“My conscience, however, remains clear. I did not commit technical malversation,” he said.

Ejercito insisted that the firearms purchase was done in accordance with the law. That was why, he said, the Commission on Audit cleared his office from any disallowance.

“My lawyer and I are preparing the next steps to resolve this case, which is clearly politically motivated related to the local fight in San Juan,” he said.

The senator earlier indicated that the revival of the case against him could be the handiwork of his political rivals. CDG

READ: JV Ejercito: Revival of case over arms purchase rivals’ handiwork