UNA running low on funds, says JV

TACLOBAN CITY—Senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada said funding had become a problem for the United Nationalist Alliance.

“Every week, if we’re in Manila, we are looking for funding to finance our expenses the following week. We are having a hard time,” Estrada said during an interview on Wednesday at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (DZR) in Tacloban City.

He said that while there were still generous individuals who continue to contribute to their campaign kitty, the funds raised were not enough.

“Of course, it’s but natural. We are in the opposition. Even in local politics, who will provide financial assistance to the opposition? It’s very seldom (that people help the opposition),” Estrada said.

Estrada added that the lack of resources would also affect UNA’s campaign sorties as well as the results in the May 13 elections.

“It’s just like an engine, if there is no gasoline (it will not run). If there is no funding, there’s no gasoline,” Estrada said. “It will affect our individual campaigns.”

On top of having to contend with lack of funds, Estrada said he also felt bad over reports that he maintained an offshore account, implying that he was rich.

“The major media outlets came out with stories that we have so much money. (If that is true) I would not have any funding problem,” Estrada said.

However, he declined to reveal how much a candidate like him spends on the campaign trail.

Earlier, an investigative report revealed that Estrada was listed as the director of an offshore corporation, Ice Bell Properties Limited, in British Virgin Islands.

He dismissed the report as part of an election time “demolition job” against him.—Joey Gabieta