Pimentel: Senate to study suspension order vs JV Ejercito

The Senate has yet to study the suspension order against Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito since its implementation is not “automatic,” Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Tuesday.

Pimentel said his office had already received a copy of the Sandiganbayan’s order but he has yet to read it first.

READ: JV Ejercito suspended from Senate for 90 days as he faces graft

“But I believe from my experience in my practice, this is not automatic. It has to be implemented. So, Senator JV should still report to work tomorrow and the subsequent days,” he said in an interview.

Pimentel pointed out that even the anti-graft court’s order states that it has to be implemented by the Office of the Senate President.

“So, hindi siya automatic (So, it’s not automatic),” he stressed.

Asked if the Senate has yet to vote on the suspension order, Pimentel said: “Pag-aaralan po namin kasi ang napag-usapan dito ‘yung mga batas, hindi pa ‘yung procedure sa pagsu-suspend ng kapwa senador (We’ll still study it because what was discussed here is the law, not the procedure of suspending the senator yet).”

Ejercito has been ordered suspended by the Sandiganbayan for 90 days in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of firearms using calamity funds when he was still mayor of San Juan City in 2008. JE/rga