Sen. JV Ejercito to Inhibit from Ethics Complaint Over Gross Neglect of Duty
Senator JV Ejercito is expected to inhibit himself from handling an ethics complaint filed against him for alleged gross neglect of duty. The complaint was submitted by Atty. Marvin Aceron on January 22, 2026, and centers on Ejercito's purported failure to act on an ethics case involving Senator Francis Escudero.
Details of the Complaint and Delays
The complaint against Escudero, which dates back to October 2025, involves a P30 million campaign donation from a businessman during the 2022 elections. Despite being filed over 100 days ago, the case has not been assigned a case number or seen any movement from the committee. As the chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, Ejercito faces potential conflict of interest, prompting calls for his inhibition to ensure impartiality in the proceedings.
Support and Justifications
The complaint against Ejercito is supported by 347 citizens, including a former Constitutional Commissioner and a National Artist, highlighting significant public concern. In response, Ejercito has cited incomplete committee membership and the Senate's focus on budget deliberations as reasons for the delay in addressing the Escudero case. This situation underscores ongoing challenges in the Senate's ethics oversight mechanisms.
