‘Estrada factor’ working against me, JV Ejercito says of survey ranking

Senator JV Ejercito at the Senate Session.
EDWIN BACASMAS

Senator JV Ejercito believes that the “Estrada factor” has been working against him as shown in the latest Pulse Asia survey.

In the Pulse Asia pre-election survey on senatorial preferences conducted from September 1 to 7, Ejercito ranked between 11th and 17th. His half-brother, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, ranked between 6th and 10th.

Asked on Monday what could be the reason for his trailing behind in the survey, Ejercito said: “The Estrada factor is working against me this time. Since I am using Ejercito and not Estrada, I don’t have the benefit of the name recall.

“I will just have to work harder. I am a believer of good karma. I have decent performance in my five years as a senator, and more importantly I don’t have a blemish on my track record as a public servant.

“Malinis ang pangalan at konsensya ko (My name and my conscience are clean). That is more important. That’s the best gift I can leave my children,” Ejercito added.

Win or lose in the upcoming elections, the senator said he remains thankful that he was given the opportunity to serve the people as a senator.

“Those who gave me the trust in 2013 will be happy that I will be leaving landmark legislations like UHCP and Department of Housing that will definitely improve quality of life of Filipinos; it will be a promise fulfilled,” he pointed out.

UHCP is the Universal Health Care Program.

Senator Grace Poe remained the respondents’ top choice for senator with 70.1 percent voter preference. /je

READ: Poe tops Pulse Asia 2019 senatorial pre-election survey