MANILA, Philippines – Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday said he is facing an uphill battle in his reelection bid since he is not as flamboyant and famous as his other rivals but is, however, a silent worker.
“Panay sikat talaga. Ang daming mas sikat sa atin,” Ejercito, who is running under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago slate, said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.
(A lot of candidates are famous, popular, more popular than me.)
“I don’t have that flamboyance siguro but I’m a silent worker,” he said.
Ejercito also doubts if his achievements during his six-year term in the Senate would get him votes, noting how the “popular” candidates continue to dominate the pre-election surveys.
“But nonetheless, I’m still proud, whatever happens proud ako sa peformance ko. Kung ano man ang mangyari, this will be a lasting legacy,” he said, citing in particular the two measures he authored – the Universal Healthcare Law and the creation of a housing department.
“Pero sana i-consider pa rin ng taumbayan yun,” the senator added.
Ejercito said that except for him, the six other reelectionist senators, shave a good chance of winning – Senators Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Aqulino Pimentel III and Cynthia Villar.
Ejercito noted that he was lagging behind in the surveys but not because he did not do anything or did not perform well but because of “circumstance.”
He did not elaborate.
“Talagang napakahirap. First time in history but hopefully I will be able to withstand and overcome the odds. Iba e. Mabigat , kakaiba ito,” Ejercito said.
His half-brother, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, is also seeking a comeback in the Senate. / gsg