Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Friday rejected accusations of neglect in handling ethics complaints, clarifying that the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges is procedurally barred from conducting hearings until its membership is fully constituted under Senate rules.
In a virtual press briefing, Ejercito, who chairs the committee, explained that while complaints have been filed, the panel cannot convene or act until its composition is formally read and approved in plenary.
“As much as I would want to act on the complaints, I cannot because the committee has not yet been constituted,” Ejercito said, noting that his designation as chair came shortly before the Senate adjourned in October 2025, followed by budget deliberations and bicameral conference committee meetings that limited plenary sessions.
He emphasized that the delay was procedural, not personal, and pointed out that Senate rules require the committee’s membership to be finalized before hearings can begin.
Ejercito also addressed speculation that the delay was tied to a pending complaint against Senator Chiz Escudero, stressing that cases are processed strictly in the order they are filed.
“Hindi naman puwedeng kung gusto mong mauna ang reklamo mo, uunahin na agad. First in, first out tayo,” he said.
He added that the committee is close to completion, with majority nominees already submitted, while the minority bloc has yet to finalize its list.
“I am hoping the minority can already send their nominees so we can forward the list to the Committee on Rules and have it read in plenary,” Ejercito said.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier reiterated that any citizen may file an ethics complaint against a senator, assuring that all cases are processed according to Senate rules once properly referred to the committee.
Separate complaints filed last year against Escudero and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros remain pending.
Ejercito himself is facing an ethics complaint lodged by lawyer Marvin Aceron, who accused him of gross neglect of constitutional duty for allegedly failing to act on the Escudero case filed on October 2, 2025.