The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division ordered the suspension of Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito from his Senate duties for 90 days as he faces a graft charge for the anomalous purchase of firearms using calamity funds. Ejercito was charged with graft for the anomalous purchase of high-powered rifles worth P2.1 million using calamity funds when he was San Juan mayor in 2008. Ejercito approved the purchase even though the city was not under a state of calamity when the purchase was made. The firearms bought using the city’s calamity fund include: three units of model K2 cal. In the Sixth Division, Ejercito was also charged with technical malversation with San Juan Vice Mayor Francis Zamora over the anomalous purchase of the firearms.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 23, 2016 02:25 UTC