Will Jinggoy Estrada’s imprisonment finally end his feud with JV Ejercito?
Senators Jose Victor Ejercito and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada (left). FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines—Amid his father’s frustration and the controversy hounding their family, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito is hopeful that he can finally make peace with his half-brother, Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.
“At our lowest moments, naging malapit rin kami. Palagay ko. sometimes, things happen for a reason. Palagay ko ito na ‘yun. May punto sa buhay ng tao na talagang may rason. Tingin ko may tiyansa naman kami na magkabati ulit,” Ejercito said in an interview on the nightly show “Aquino and Abunda Tonight” Thursday.
(At our lowest moments, we have been close. I think that sometimes, things happen for a reason. I think that time is now. There comes a point in a man’s life that happens for a reason. I believe there’s still a chance we’ll be in good terms.)
“Kapatid ko pa rin (siya),” Ejercito added.
(He’s still my brother.)
Article continues after this advertisementEjercito said that one of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s frustrations in life was to see his two politician sons feuding.
Ejercito has been at odds with Senator Estrada, who is charged with plunder and detained over the “pork barrel” scam.
“It’s one of the frustrations of my father,” Ejercito said. “Sabi nga n’ya,‘ang dami ko nang narating pero ang talagang, ‘pag kinakausap n’ya kami individualy, ang talagang isa sa mga frustrations n’ya sa buhay n’ya, e ‘yung aming pag aaway.”
(He said he has achieved so many things but he would tell us whenever he talks to us individually that one of his frustrations really is my feud with Estrada.)
“At minsan sinabi n’ya sa amin na, ‘Alam mo 76 na ako ngayon, ‘yung lolo n’yo namatay nang 78’…Sabi n’ya, ‘Hindi na ako nalalayo. Sana naman pagbigyan ny’o na ako’,” Ejercito said, quoting his father.
(At one time he told us, ‘I am already 76, and your grandfather died when he was 78.’ He said, ‘I may not be far off. I hope you can grant my request.’)
Ejercito and Senator Estrada’s relationship soured again when Ejercito signed a committee report that recommended the filing of criminal charges against his brother and other senators and individuals allegedly involved in the “pork” scam.
Ejercito admitted his fault in signing the report without telling Estrada, when he did so with Senators Juan Ponce-Enrile and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who were also included in the report.
“We’ll, palagay ko doon ako nagkulang (I guess, that’s my shortcoming),” said Ejercito.
Despite their feud, Ejercito promised to take good care of his brother’s family, especially Senator Estrada’s daughter, who is a councilor in San Juan City.
Ejercito’s mother is incumbent San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez while Senator Estrada is the son of Mayor Estrada with former Senator Luisa “Loi” Ejercito.
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