Ethics case filed vs. Ejercito, seeks his ouster as chair

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senate ethics committee chairman JV Ejercito is himself facing an ethics complaint over his alleged inaction on a case filed against Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Lawyer Marvin Aceron, the complainant, wants Ejercito found guilty of gross neglect of constitutional duty, and be removed as chairman of the committee on ethics and privileges, among other disciplinary measures. 

In an 18-page complaint posted on social media on Thursday, Jan. 22, Aceron said Ejercito failed to act on an ethics complaint he filed against Escudero on Oct. 2 — more than 100 days ago.

Aceron said Ejercito did not assign a case number, issue notices to the parties involved, or take any procedural action on the complaint.

“This failure is not mere negligence or administrative delay. After 109 days of complete inaction, it constitutes willful Gross Neglect of Constitutional Duty – a deliberate refusal to perform a mandatory duty,” Aceron wrote.

The complaint against Escudero stemmed from a P30-million campaign donation he received from Centerways Construction and Development Inc. president Lawrence Lubiano.

The Commission on Elections earlier cleared Escudero and Lubiano of any offense. While government contractors are prohibited from making campaign donations, the poll body ruled that Lubiano made the contribution in his personal capacity, separate from the company.

Meanwhile, Aceron called for the designation of a substitute committee chairperson to process the Escudero complaint, and asked Ejercito to inhibit himself from the proceedings.

In a statement, Ejercito said the ethics committee has yet to be fully constituted and currently lacks members, preventing it from holding meetings or conducting hearings.

He added that the minority bloc, to which Escudero belongs, has not yet nominated its members to the committee.

“In addition, the Senate has been in the midst of budget deliberations and the Bicameral Conference Committee over the past months, which left no opportunity for the matter to be read at plenary,” Ejercito said. 

“On a personal note, I unfortunately dealt with health issues too for much of December,” he added. 

Ejercito assured that the committee will convene and act on pending cases once it is fully constituted. Committee members have to be formally read or elected during the session, which resumes on Jan. 26.