The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division has convicted former Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon Pelayo “ER” Ejercito of graft in connection with the anomalous insurance deal that the Pagsanjan, Laguna municipal government entered into with private company First Rapids Care Ventures in 2008.
Ejercito was sentenced to six to eight years imprisonment with perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
Ejercito, whose screen name is “Jeorge Ejercito Estregan,” was charged with a violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, due to a violation he committed when he was still municipal mayor of Pagsanjan.
On Oct. 23, 2008, Ejercito, former Pagsanjan Vice Mayor Crisostomo B. Vilar, and Councilors Arlyn Lazaro-Torres, Terryl Gamit-Talabong, Kalahi Rabago, Erwin Sacluti, Gener Dimaranan, and Ronaldo Sablan reportedly conspired with FRCV owner Marilyn Bruel.
They entered into a memorandum of agreement with FRCV to provide accident protection and financial assistance to Pagsanjan tourists and legitimate and qualified boatmen plying the route to and from the Pagsanjan Gorge Tourist Zone.
The insurance covered loss of life, disablement, medical reimbursement, and ambulance or hospital transfer reimbursement. However, the accused entered into the MoA without undergoing the requisite public bidding under RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
At the same time, the FRCV was not licensed and in possession of a certificate of authority from the Insurance Commission to engage in the insurance business. (Czarina Nicole Ong-Ki)
