SC affirms graft conviction of ex-Pagsanjan Mayor Ejercito

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the graft conviction of former Pagsanjan, Laguna Mayor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito to serve time for up to eight years and banned from holding public office.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 26, the SC said its first division found Ejercito and insurance firm First Rapids Care Ventures (FCRV) owner Marilyn Bruel guilty of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for illegally awarding a contract without public bidding.

Bruel, who was also discovered guilty of misrepresenting the company’s qualifications and conspiring with Ejercito, was meted the same sentence as the former mayor.

“The SC found that Ejercito knowingly gave FRCV an unfair advantage, bypassing legal procedures and ignoring clear red flags,” the SC said.

“It (FCRV) was also registered with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) just five days before it offered its services to Ejercito. These suggest that FRCV was created solely to provide specialized services to the Municipality of Pagsanjan despite having no prior experience,” it explained.

Under the deal with the local government, FCRV would provide accident insurance for boatmen and tourists at the Pagsanjan Gorge Tourist Zone despite the firm lacking a license from the Insurance Commission.

The case stemmed from the complaint of the United Boatmen Association of Pagsanjan.