Voting straight for 13 Hugpong bets worries JV Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — Voters picking all 13 senatorial bets of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in the May polls makes Senator JV Ejercito worried.

“Of course worried kami (Of course, we are worried),” Ejercito, who is one of 13 candidates running under HNP, said during the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday.

“I think Sen. Cynthia Villar also said na worried siya dun sa 13 na baka mamaya ma invalid ang balota,” he said. Villar is also part of the HNP slate.

(I think Sen. Cynthia Villar also said she is also worried about the 13 [Hugpong bets] as it may invalidate the ballot.)

READ: Villar to Sara Duterte: Back only 12 bets for senator

Ejercito said voters must be reminded that they only have to pick 12 candidates.

“Sana lang ako yung isa sa 12. Kahit pa number 12, ok lang (I hope I will be one of the 12 they’ll pick, even if I’m the number 12),” Ejercito said.

Asked if his colleagues in the slate share the same sentiment, the senator admits it’s a concern.

“Worry din kasi pag bomoto ng 13, hindi na mabibilang yun ng computer. It’s also a concern baka masayang (It’s a cause for worry if they vote 13 senators; the computer can not count it. So it’s a concern),” he said.

But Ejercito expressed confidence that the people would vote wisely in the May elections.

“Bahala na taumbayan (It’s up to the people). I think they know better. Tingnan na lang natin (Let’s see),” he said.

Ejercito nevertheless urged the public to scrutinize the candidates and their platforms and not just fall for their “motherhood” statements during the campaign.

More importantly, the senator said voters must choose candidates with good track records and integrity.

“Yung malinis ang (Those who have clean) track record, that’s very important. Integrity is very important in choosing a public servant,” he stressed. /ee