JV did not seek Erap’s consent in signing anti-political dynasty bill

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito admitted Thursday that he never sought the consent of his father, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, on his support on the anti-political dynasty bill.

“Hindi (ako nagpaalam), hindi naman siya tumatawag e. Pero sasabihin ko sa kanya na by the time na maipasa ito, tapos na siya kasi matagal pa ‘yun (maisabatas),” Ejercito said during a news forum at the Senate.

Ejercito is one of the 13 senators who signed the committee report seeking prohibition on political dynasties. 

Aside from his father, his mother, Guia Gomez, is now serving as San Juan mayor while his half-brother, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, is reportedly planning to seek an elective post anew.

Ejercito said it is very seldom that his father interferes with his decisions.

“Sometimes hindi kami nagkakaintindihan, minsan may pagkakaiba kami ng point of view but he will respect where I’m coming from. Ganun talaga, I think he knowns I’m independent-minded, madalas kaya hindi niya ako pinakikialaman e tiyak hindi ko siya susundin. He knows that meron akong sariling desisyon,” he said.

Even though he is considered a part of a political dynasty, Ejercito believes that power should not be monopolized by a small group of people.

“Ang paniniwala ko, eversince, power, whether economic or political, should be shared, walang dapat mag-monopolize,” he said.

He said some people are questioning his support for the anti-political dynasty bill.

“Maraming tumataas ang kilay dahil bakit ako nag-file sabi nila ‘galit ka lang yata sa kapatid mo e.’ Hindi ganun. With our population of 100 million, siguro naman maraming may capability, may kakayanan, may sinseridad na magsilbi kaya lang wala silang means. It’s either was silang pangalan, wala silang makinarya o wala silang pondo to get themselves elected,” he said.

He added that a lot of people are equally capable of serving in government but do not have the means to get elected.

He expressed hope that the anti-political dynasty bill will give opportunity to those who want to serve but do not have a popular name or political machinery.

He said this is the reason he is excited in the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan elections as it will be the first time the anti-political dynasty provision in the SK Reform Law will be applied.

“I’m excited with the coming SK polls because it will be the first time that the anti-political dynasty provision will be applied. Meron sa Constitution pero walang enabling law. Under the SK Reform Law, it will now be applied,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News