SENATOR Joseph Victor Ejercito was able to secure the Sandiganbayan’s nod for his scheduled travel to Hong Kong from October 14 to 16 despite his pending trial for graft and malversation.
The anti-graft court’s Fifth and Sixth Divisions, in two separate resolutions, approved Ejercito’s motion to travel abroad to accompany his wife in processing her retirement benefits with Cathay Pacific.
In approving Ejercito’s motion, the anti-graft court’s Fifth Division acknowledged the senator’s reason to travel overseas.
“For the reason stated therein and considering that the right to travel is a constitutional right which cannot be impaired except in cases provided for by law, the instant motion is granted,” the court said.
Ejercito has posted the total P66,000 travel bond set by the two divisions for his upcoming trip.
Ejercito is facing graft and technical malversation cases before the Fifth and Sixth Divisions, respectively, in connection with San Juan City’s alleged anomalous purchase of P2.1 million worth of firearms when he was mayor in 2008.
The Office of the Ombudsman said the money used for the purchase came from the city government’s calamity fund even if there was no state of calamity at that time.
It also alleged the purchase was committed without competitive bidding and examination of the supplier’s qualifications.