Sandiganbayan issues arrest warrant for JV Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines – Anti-graft court Sandiganbayan on Wednesday issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito following the graft charges filed against him.

The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued the warrant against Ejercito and five others in connection to the allegedly anomalous procurement of high-powered firearms of San Juan City in 2008.

The anti-graft court also ordered the arrest of former City Administrator Ranulfo Dacalos, treasurer Rosalinda Marasigan, city attorney Romualdo Delos Santos, city budget officer Lorenza Ching and city engineer Danilo Mercado. The bail for release of each accused is set at P30,000.

The Sandiganbayan earlier issued a hold departure order against Ejercito, Dacalos, Delos Santos, Ching and Mercado.

Ejercito and 14 other former San Juan City officials are also facing charges of technical malversation for illegal use of public funds.

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