Ejercito visits Enrile, but not Jinggoy Estrada

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

Sen. JV Ejercito. INQUIRER.net/JULLIANE DE JESUS

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito paid a visit to fellow lawmaker Juan Ponce Enrile on Wednesday at the Philippine National Police (PNP) General Hospital where he is currently held.

Ejercito, however, said he would let the “situation cool down” first before he visits his half-brother Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada who is now detained at the PNP Custodial Center, which is also in Camp Crame.

The two sons of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada have been at odds with each even before both of them were public officials.

“(I will visit him) once I feel it’s the right time already…at kapag medyo malamig-lamig na siguro ‘yung sitwasyon ako’y dadalaw na rin (and when the situation has cooled down, I will visit him),” he said in a hastily-called briefing at Crame.

“Hindi naman matatago na bago nangyari ang pag-surrender ni Jinggoy, kami ay hindi nagkaintindihan at meron kaming hindi pinagkasunduan‎ lalung-lalo na ang aking pagpirma,” the Senator added.

(It cannot be denied that even before Jinggoy surrendered, we were already at odds especially because I signed (the report against him).)

It can be recalled that E‎jercito signed a Senate committee report recommending the filing of criminal charges against his brother, Enrile and Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., who is joining Estrada at the Custodial Center.

Ejercito said he would seek PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima and the Custodial Center head’s approval to visit Estrada and Revilla.

He also cited the recent controversy involving his jailed colleagues on their violation of PNP’s visitation policies as the cause of delay in his plan to visit Estrada.

“I wanted to visit them (Revilla and Estrada) but I heard the PNP’s rules were stiffer since (the issue). Ayoko naman na maging dahilan pa nang paghihigpit pa sa kanila (I don’t want to be the reason for the implementation of stricter watch on them),” he added.