Ejercito on 2019 Senate race alongside bro Jinggoy: Nag-aagawan kami ng boto

LAOAG CITY—Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito admitted that the May 2019 Senate race is extra tough for him because his brother, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, is also running for a Senate seat.

"Wala pa akong political ads...Lahat ng bumuhos sa political ads 'yun ang humataw [sa Pulse Asia survey]... Dalawa pa kaming magkapatid, nag-aagawan kami ng boto. May mamimili lang ng isa, may mawawalang boto, may naco-confuse," Ejercito told reporters.

"It's just the confusion. Mahirap talaga na dalawang magkapatid na nagsabay. That is my dilemma," Ejercito added.

Ejercito is the son of former President Joseph Estrada with former actress Guia Gomez, while Estrada is the former President's son with wife Loi Ejercito.

Ejercito, however, expressed confidence that the public will give him the necessary support to help him win a second consecutive six-year Senate term due to his legislative records, specifically his authorship of the Universal Healthcare bill and the bill creating the Department of Human Settlements which is awaiting the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Hindi ako naniniwalang 'di ako gusto ng tao. Kahit saan ako pumunta, very warm ang reception. Naa-appreciate nila ang ginagawa ko," Ejercito said.

"Mayroon tayong magandang legislative performance, accomplishment. I am proud of what happened in my 18 years of career in public service. Iyang tiwalang iyan na ipinagkaloob sa akin, hindi ko sinira iyan. Wala akong bagahe," Ejercito added.

Asked for comment, Estrada's camp said he will not issue a statement about the matter.

Unlike Ejercito, Estrada is still facing a P183 million plunder charge in connection with the pork barrel scam. Estrada, however, is out on bail. —KG, GMA News