Senator Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito has asked the Sandiganbayan to permit him to take a vacation in Hong Kong this month.
Ejercito’s lawyers yesterday submitted motions at the Sandiganbayan, requesting that “he be allowed to travel to Hong Kong from May 24 to 27, 2016 for a vacation.”
His counsels assured the anti-graft court that Ejercito is “not a flight risk” and is “willing and able to post a travel bond in whatever reasonable amount this Honorable Court may require, and commits himself to personally appear before this Honorable Court immediately upon his arrival.”
“Section 14(2), Article III of the Philippine Constitution provides, in part, that in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved,” read the motion.
“Considering that, to date, there has been no finding of guilt for the crime for which he is being charged, accused enjoys the Constitutionally guaranteed presumption of innocence,” they added.
Ejercito has been charged with graft and technical malversation over the alleged anomalous purchase of sub-machine guns in 2008 worth R2.1 million using San Juan City’s calamity fund when he was still the mayor.