The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division ordered USWAG Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang to explain within five days why he should not be placed under preventive suspension while he faces graft charges over an alleged conflict of interest in infrastructure projects. Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — USWAG Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division to two counts of graft over an alleged conflict of interest involving government infrastructure projects.
The prosecution alleged that Ang unlawfully maintained a financial interest in Allencon Development Corp., where he owned 500 shares.
During the arraignment, prosecutors also asked the court to amend the criminal information to insert the words “more or less” before the stated amount of the awarded contract.
However, Ang’s counsel argued the proposed amendment would change the nature of the charges and could affect the court’s jurisdiction over the cases.
Meanwhile, the court, chaired by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez, ordered Ang to explain within five days why he should not be placed under preventive suspension while his cases are pending.
Sandiganbayan denies Rep. Jojo Ang’s motion to consolidate 14 graft cases
The Sixth Division earlier denied Ang’s motion to quash the criminal information and his request to consolidate his 14 graft cases pending before different divisions of the anti-graft court.
RIVERA ARRAIGNMENT RESET
Meanwhile, the court’s Fifth Division reset to Oct. 7 the arraignment of Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera in his graft case involving an alleged conflict of interest.
The arraignment was deferred pending the resolution of Rivera’s motions to quash the criminal information and consolidate the nine graft cases filed against him before different court divisions.
The prosecution alleged that during his term as congressman from 2022 to 2025, Rivera had financial interests in nine government infrastructure contracts awarded to Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corp.
According to the prosecution, Rivera owned 54.84% of the company’s shares, while his wife owned 45.09%.
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