MANILA — USWAG Ilonggo party-list Rep. Jojo Ang pleaded not guilty on Tuesday before the Sandiganbayan Second Division to two counts of graft over an alleged conflict of interest involving government infrastructure projects.
Ang did not waive the reading of charge against him during the arraignment on Tuesday, September 8.
The prosecution alleged that Ang unlawfully maintained a financial interest in construction firm Allencon Development Corporation where he owned 500 shares that had contracts with the government.
"What is your plea?" Presiding Justice and Chairperson Geraldine Econg asked Ang.
"Not guilty po, your honor," Ang replied.
Econg deferred the pre-trial today and rescheduled to September 15 pending consolidation of Ang's separate graft charges from the anti-graft court's Fourth Division.
Last week, the lawmaker also pleaded not guilty to separate two counts of graft before the anti-graft court's Sixth Division.
READ: Rep. Jojo Ang pleads not guilty to 2 graft charges over 'conflict of interest' case
It 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.