Ethics Complaint Filed Against Senator JV Ejercito Over Alleged Inaction on Escudero Donation Case
A formal ethics complaint has been lodged against Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, accusing him of failing to act on a previous complaint concerning former Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero and a reported P30-million campaign donation from a contractor during the 2022 elections. The complaint, submitted by Atty. Marvin Aceron to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, alleges that Ejercito, who chairs the panel, has shown undue delay and inaction regarding the matter, which critics argue could represent a conflict of interest.
Details of the Complaint Against Ejercito
The complaint against Escudero was originally filed in October 2025, and Aceron's filing highlights that 109 days have passed without significant progress. According to the document, Ejercito has "failed to assign a case number, failed to provide any notice or communication, failed to take any action whatsoever." This alleged inaction is said to undermine the committee's mandate to ensure accountability and ethical conduct within the Senate, raising concerns about procedural integrity.
Ejercito's Defense and Committee Status
In response, Senator Ejercito has defended his position by explaining that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges has not yet been formally constituted. He noted that legislative sessions from November to December were primarily focused on budget hearings and bicameral conference committee work, leaving no opportunity for the committee's composition to be read in plenary—a necessary step for its establishment.
"There was no chance really for the committee members, for the composition of the Ethics Committee to be read in plenary, which is a requirement for it to be constituted. So hindi ko po kasalanan. Gustuhin ko mang ituloy, magkaroon na ng hearings or aksyonan ‘yung mga complaints, I cannot because the committee has not been constituted as of the moment," Ejercito stated in an interview. He emphasized that the complaint is likely to be discussed when the plenary session resumes on Monday, January 26, and he may recuse himself if necessary, though he sees no grounds for negligence given the committee's current status.
Background on the Escudero Donation Case
The original complaint against Escudero questions the propriety of a P30-million campaign donation he received from Lawrence Lubiano, President of Centerways Construction and Development Inc. Escudero has maintained that the donation was lawful, properly declared, and did not influence his legislative actions, with no conflict of interest involved. He has pointed out that campaign contributions are regulated by existing election laws.
In November, the Commission on Elections Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) recommended terminating the investigation into Escudero, citing that the donation came from Lubiano's personal funds, not from his construction firm. The Comelec ruled the contribution as "legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice." Notably, Centerways Construction and Development Inc. was among the top firms awarded flood control projects worth billions from July 2022 to May 2025, based on records publicized by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Implications and Next Steps
This ethics complaint against Ejercito adds a layer of complexity to ongoing discussions about political accountability and campaign finance in the Philippines. Ejercito has stressed that complaints are handled on a first-in, first-out basis, with Escudero's case being the fourth or fifth in line, and he asserts that proper procedures will be followed once the committee is operational. The situation highlights challenges in Senate ethics processes and the broader scrutiny of political donations, with potential impacts on public trust and legislative transparency.
