JV Ejercito accepts fate, leaving Senate with ‘integrity intact’

Sen. JV Ejercito (File photo by EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator JV Ejercito said he would be leaving the Senate with his “integrity intact.”

Ejercito made the statement as he conceded defeat hours before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) was set to proclaim the new set of senators on Wednesday.

READ: Senate, party-list winners to be proclaimed Wednesday

“Kunin ko na ang pagkakataon magpasalamat sa Sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkakataon na ako ay nakapaglingkod bilang Senador ng ating bansa,” Ejercito said over Twitter.

Kunin ko na ang pagkakataon magpasalamat sa Sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkakataon na ako ay nakapaglingkod bilang Senador ng ating bansa.

Isang karangalan na kayo ay paglingkuran.

Will be walking away from the Senate with my integrity intact.

Salamat po sa pagmamahal!

— JV Ejercito (@jvejercito) May 21, 2019

“Isang karangalan na kayo ay paglingkuran. Will be walking away from the Senate with my integrity intact,” he added. “Salamat po sa pagmamahal!”

In the complete and official tally of the Comelec, which convened as the National Board of Canvassers, Ejercito ranked 13th, outside the winning circle, with 14,313,727 votes.

Fellow re-electionist Senator Nancy Binay secured the last spot in the so-called “Magic 12” with 14,504,936 votes, 191,209 more votes than Ejercito.

READ: Final, official count: Villar in 1st, Binay in 12th of Senate race

It can be recalled that Ejercito principally authored the Universal Healthcare Act, which seeks to give all Filipinos health care coverage and benefits.

The landmark legislation was signed into law in February 2019.

READ: Universal healthcare now a law

READ: Ejercito hails signing of Universal Healthcare bill into law

Ejercito’s term will expire on June 30. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)