Erap's niece pleads innocent to technical malversation
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Erap's niece pleads innocent to technical malversation
Carolyn Bonquin,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 14, 2016 04:18 PM PHT

MANILA - Jannah Ejercito-Surla, niece of Mayor Joseph Estrada, pleaded not guilty for her technical malversation case over the alleged illegal diversion of P2.1 million in public funds used to purchase high-powered firearms in 2008.
MANILA - Jannah Ejercito-Surla, niece of Mayor Joseph Estrada, pleaded not guilty for her technical malversation case over the alleged illegal diversion of P2.1 million in public funds used to purchase high-powered firearms in 2008.
Surla is a co-accused in the case of her cousin, Sen. JV Ejercito.
Surla is a co-accused in the case of her cousin, Sen. JV Ejercito.
Surla was a San Juan City councilor, while JV was the mayor when the Sangguniang Panlunsod allegedly passed a city ordinance authorizing Ejercito to proceed with the purchase of the firearms.
Surla was a San Juan City councilor, while JV was the mayor when the Sangguniang Panlunsod allegedly passed a city ordinance authorizing Ejercito to proceed with the purchase of the firearms.
Surla, who is barred from leaving the country, agreed for conditional arraignment on Tuesday because of her pending motion to travel abroad.
Surla, who is barred from leaving the country, agreed for conditional arraignment on Tuesday because of her pending motion to travel abroad.
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She requested for the anti-graft court's division to allow her to travel to Guam from June 25 to June 29 for a family vacation. After the arraignment, the Sandiganbayan granted her request. She was asked to pay P6,000 travel bond.
She requested for the anti-graft court's division to allow her to travel to Guam from June 25 to June 29 for a family vacation. After the arraignment, the Sandiganbayan granted her request. She was asked to pay P6,000 travel bond.
WHY EJERCITO APPROVED GUN PURCHASE
Senator Ejercito, the former mayor of San Juan, earlier explained he tapped into San Juan's calamity funds to purchase high-powered firearms in 2008 because of an "emergency situation" in the city.
Senator Ejercito, the former mayor of San Juan, earlier explained he tapped into San Juan's calamity funds to purchase high-powered firearms in 2008 because of an "emergency situation" in the city.
He said that in 2006, the Philippine National Police released a memorandum to retrieve all high-powered rifles of the policemen in Metro Manila. This consequently led to thieving and bank robberies as the culprits have stronger ammunition than the police.
He said that in 2006, the Philippine National Police released a memorandum to retrieve all high-powered rifles of the policemen in Metro Manila. This consequently led to thieving and bank robberies as the culprits have stronger ammunition than the police.
To remedy this, he said he conferred with city administrators and told them "we really need to purchase high-powered rifles for our police force as soon as possible."
To remedy this, he said he conferred with city administrators and told them "we really need to purchase high-powered rifles for our police force as soon as possible."
"I panicked. I called the administrator. I said we can't allow this to happen any longer, we need to purchase high powered rifles for our police force ASAP. They told me it's not in our budget. I told them 'Do what you can. This is an emergency situation.' The only fund available was the calamity fund," he said on ANC's Headstart.
"I panicked. I called the administrator. I said we can't allow this to happen any longer, we need to purchase high powered rifles for our police force ASAP. They told me it's not in our budget. I told them 'Do what you can. This is an emergency situation.' The only fund available was the calamity fund," he said on ANC's Headstart.
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Of the estimated P35-million calamity fund, P2.1-million was used to buy 20 high-powered firearms from HK Technical Defense System Inc. The procurement included three units of Daewoo K2 caliber 5.56mm sub-machine gun and 17 units of Daewoo model K1 caliber 5.56mm sub-machine gun.
Of the estimated P35-million calamity fund, P2.1-million was used to buy 20 high-powered firearms from HK Technical Defense System Inc. The procurement included three units of Daewoo K2 caliber 5.56mm sub-machine gun and 17 units of Daewoo model K1 caliber 5.56mm sub-machine gun.
Ejercito said the purchase underwent proper bidding and was published online and in daily newspapers.
Ejercito said the purchase underwent proper bidding and was published online and in daily newspapers.
The 20 rifles, he said, are all still intact and are being used by San Juan Police. He said the P2.1-million used to purchase the firearms was later returned.
The 20 rifles, he said, are all still intact and are being used by San Juan Police. He said the P2.1-million used to purchase the firearms was later returned.
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