Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Sen. JV Ejercito on Monday (April 18) entered a “not guilty” plea before the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division for the graft cases filed against him.
The case was filed over the alleged misuse of San Juan City’s calamity fund to purchase firearms during Ejercito’s term as mayor in 2008.
In an interview after the arraignment, Ejercito said he just wants to get the proceedings over and done with.
“I don’t want this delayed any further. Get it over and done with. Tapusin na natin kasi we are very very confident with the evidence that we have. And pag hindi ka guilty wala kang takot eh,” Ejercito said.
[Translation: Let’s finish this, we are very very confident with the evidence that we have. And if you’re not guilty, you’re not afraid of anything.]
Ejercito is confident that the case will eventually be dismissed, although he said that it has already tarnished his reputation.
“Gusto ko lang matapos na ito. Kasi if there’s one thing that this has caused, it has tainted my reputation which inalagaan ko ng matagal na panahon,” Ejercito said. “You must remember at that time I was with the opposition so I was doubly careful with what I do.”
[Translation: I just want this to end. Because if there’s one thing that this has caused, it has tainted my reputation, which I really took care of for a very long time.]
The anti-graft court has set the pre-trial on June 9, while the case conference is scheduled on May 23 and 27.
Also read: Sandiganbayan orders arrest of Sen. JV Ejercito, 5 others
