JV Ejercito urges public to respect Sandiganbayan ruling on brother
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Friday, January 19 called on the public to respect the decision of the courts following the Sandiganbayan’s decision to acquit his brother Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada from a plunder case related to the pork barrel fund scam.
The Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division has acquitted Estrada and businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles of plunder. However, the anti-graft court convicted Estrada of one count direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery.
“The Sandiganbayan has handed down its verdict. I urge everyone to respect the wisdom and fairness of our justice system,” Ejercito said in a statement.
“Our justice system, despite its imperfection, is there to maintain law and order, protect our rights, and provide justice,” he said.
Estrada said he will “exhaust all legal means” available to contest the decision of the Sandiganbayan with regards to the bribery case.
Ejercito said he is confident his brother would be able to overturn the verdict.
“I am sure that his legal team will exhaust all legal remedies on those cases he was convicted for. I wish him well and will continue to pray for Senator Jinggoy Estrada and his family,” he said.