Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada wants both his brother, Senator JV Ejercito, and himself to win in the 2019 elections, despite the possibility that their candidacies could split the votes from their supporters.
Estrada said this on Tuesday after he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator at the Commission on Elections (Comelec). A day earlier, Ejercito also filed his COC for the same post.
But for Estrada, blood is still thicker than water despite the looming competition between him and his brother in the upcoming polls.
“Kapatid ko pa rin iyan. Kadugo ko pa rin iyan. Isa lang ang tatay namin. Kaya kung ako lang ang masusunod, gusto ko dalawa kami parehong manalo (He is still my brother. We are related by blood, we have the same father. If I have my way, I want us both to win),” he said in a press briefing.
READ: Blood ain’t thicker than water: Tale of two sibling rivalries in 2019 polls
In December last year, JV reportedly said that he would make the “supreme sacrifice” if Jinggoy will declare his bid for the Senate. This decision has apparently changed, as he even filed his COC for senator ahead of Jinggoy.
Estrada, however, said he doesn’t mind the sudden change in Ejercito’s political plans.
“Okay lang (It’s fine). There is no problem with me. This is a free country,” he said.
He disclosed though that he has not talked to his brother for quite some time.
Estrada will run under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino of his father, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. JV recently left the party to join Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Meanwhile, Estrada denied that his involvement in the P10-billion pork barrel scam will hamper his chances to be back to the Senate. /ee
READ: JV Ejercito files COC for senator in 2019 elections
READ: Jinggoy files candidacy for senator in 2019 polls