With or without Duterte endorsement, Jinggoy vows to continue support for admin

MANILA, Philippines — With or without President Rodrigo Duterte’s endorsement, senatorial aspirant Jinggoy Estrada on Friday vowed to continue being supportive of the Duterte administration.

“I respect the recent statements made by President Duterte and the decision of the PDP-LBN regarding their preferred senatorial bets,” Estrada said in a statement.

“With or without the endorsement of the President, I will continue to be an ally of this administration. My support to this administration is not diminished in any way,” he added.

READ: Duterte drops Jinggoy from admin Senate slate

The former senator made the remark after Duterte, during the initial campaign sortie of his PDP-Laban party in Bulacan Thursday, bared his 11-man senatorial lineup without Estrada’s name, whom he endorsed last week during an event in Legazpi City, Albay.

The President explained that he just felt obliged to raise Estrada’s hand in the event because the former senator was already there.

The former senator added that “while the endorsement of our popular President will be helpful to my senatorial candidacy, I trust that the Filipino people will reelect me to the Senate based on my good track record as a public servant, long list of legislative accomplishments and genuine desire to uplift the lives of the masses.” /ee