Ejercito slapped with ethics rap over 'neglect' of Escudero’s case
MANILA, Philippines — A lawyer has filed an ethics complaint against Sen. JV Ejercito, accusing him of failing to act on a pending ethics case against former Senate President Chiz Escudero more than three months after it was filed.
Lawyer Marvin Aceron filed the complaint against Ejercito, chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, over what he described as inaction on the earlier complaint filed in October 2025 against Escudero.
The complaint against Escudero stemmed from the P30 million campaign donation from contractor Lawrence Lubiano during his senatorial campaign.
In his 18-page filing, Aceron said Ejercito had not issued a case number for the complaint, acknowledged receipt of the complaint, or provided any information on its status.
"He has not issued an acknowledgment, has not provided any information on the complaint’s status, and has taken no action whatsoever," Aceron wrote.
Aceron accused Ejercito of gross neglect of constitutional duty.
"This failure is not mere negligence or administrative delay. After 109 days of complete inaction, it constitutes willful gross neglect of constitutional duty," he said.
Aceron also noted that within days from the filing of the ethics complaint, the Senate had already conducted hearings. The House of Representatives also processed an ethics complaint against Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, which led to his 60-day suspension.
He added that even barangay offices typically issue case numbers within minutes.
“This complaint offers the Senate a way forward: hold its Chairman accountable for abandoning his constitutional duty, and restore the integrity of the ethics process,” Aceron wrote.
A full copy of the complaint can be read here.
Ejercito's response. Ejercito said the Ethics Committee has not yet been fully constituted and that the Senate had been occupied with the final stages of budget deliberations.
"Rest assured that the Ethics Committee will convene and hear pending cases once it is fully constituted and when session resumes. The said cases will be heard in order of filing," Ejercito said.
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