JV Ejercito. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Deep down inside, JV Ejercito knows he won, and the deluge of people’s manifestation of support to him has wiped out any hint of bitterness or downheartedness on the senator.
Ejercito – who presented himself as the “Good One” during the midterm poll campaign – is currently ranked 13th in both the partial and official results of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) tally as well the partial and unofficial counting of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) transparency server.
He is trailing behind fellow reelectionist senator, Nancy Binay, by roughly 82,000 votes in the Comelec count, and 226,000 in the PPCRV tally, as of Monday night.
With approximately 3 percent of Certificates of Canvass or Vote Counting Machines left for tabulation, Ejercito’s chances of making it to the “Magic 12” now seem unlikely.
But, he noted in a tweet Monday that, “I do not feel any bitterness or even be depressed about the possibility of not making the Top 12 it’s because the outpouring of support from the public has been overwhelming.”
“Deep inside I know I won. But it has never been my nature not to be an obstructionist,” he added.
I do not feel any bitterness or even be depressed about the possibility of not making the Top 12 its because of the outpouring of support from the public has been overwhelming.
Deep inside I know I won. But it has never been my nature not to be an obstructionist.
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) May 20, 2019
Ejercito returned to the Senate earlier Monday as he attended the final sessions of the 17th Congress. He noted sad faces of colleagues he met along the hallways.
“Back in the Senate. Final sessions of the 17th Congress. Senate staff and employees were all rooting for me. So nice to know that people who I’ve worked with are the ones praying and supporting me. They are all sad and concerned. Support has been simply overwhelming,” Ejercito also wrote on Twitter.
“Bakit lahat ng empleyado at staff nakakasalubong ko sa Senado panay malungkot ang mga mukha. Sabi ko wag kayo malungkot alam ko mahal ako ng taumbayan kaya tayo pa rin ang panalo!” he added.
Back in the Senate. Final sessions of the 17th Congress.
Senate staff and employees were all rooting for me. So nice to know that people who I’ve woked with are the ones praying and supporting me. They are all sad and concerned.
Support has been simply overwhelming. pic.twitter.com/OANndtubIO
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) May 20, 2019
Bakit lahat ng empleyado at staff nakakasalubong ko sa Senado panay malungkot ang mga mukha.
Sabi ko wag kay malungkot alam ko mahal ako ng taumbayan kaya tayo pa rin ang panalo!
— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) May 20, 2019
Over the weekend, Ejercito said too many members of the Estrada family ran in this year’s elections. He said this could be the reason for the family’s crushing defeat.
READ: JV Ejercito: Too many family members ran in polls
Comelec is aiming to proclaim winners in the party-list and senatorial race on Tuesday, May 21. (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)