JV Ejercito, mom back Poe for president

Senators Grace Poe and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito FILE PHOTOS

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, an opposition member, on Friday gave his tacit endorsement for Senator Grace Poe should she decide to run for president in 2016.

“Senadora, kayo po ang nag-number 1 dito sa San Juan. Tinalo po n’yo ako; ako’y number 2 lamang (Senator, you emerged as number one in San Juan. You even beat me; I was only number 2),” Ejercito said when he introduced Poe as guest speaker during the 117th Independence Day celebration in the city of San Juan.

“Kaya’t sana ay huwag n’yong kalilimutan na kung sakaling kayo ay papalarin na ang San Juan na iyong piniling maging tunay na bayan ay nandito at huwag n’yo namang kalimutan kung kayo ay papalarin na sa Malacañang,” he said.

(So hopefully, you do not forget that San Juan is here for you, especially if you become fortunate enough to win as president.)

Ejercito and Poe both ran for the first time in the senatorial race in 2013. Ejercito ran under the opposition’s United Nationalist Alliance while Poe ran under the administration’s Liberal Party-led coalition.

While they ran under different tickets during the last elections, Ejercito said their friendship continued and strengthened even more as they work together in the Senate.

“Mas matibay pa ang aming samahan ngayon na kami ay magkasama sa Senado. Mas lalo kong nakita ang kanyang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa bayan. Kapatid ang aming tawagan sa isat-isa. Dahil dito hindi masisira ng ambisyong pampulitika, hind tulad ng ibang pulitiko na ibabasura ang lahat na mabuting pinagsamahan,” he said.

(Our relationship is now stronger since we have started working in the Senate. I have particularly seen how much she loves the country. We treat each other as siblings. Because of this, political ambitions will not destroy our bond, unlike other politicians who will compromise their relationships.)

“Kayat kung mangyayari nang nanaisin ng ating panauhing pandangal ang paglahok sa pambansang halalan sa isang taon , ngayon pa lamang ay nais kong ipabatid sa inyo na dahil sa prinsipyo at paninidigan na aking nakitang pagsasama sa Senado, ako po ay inyong massahan…Secret lang. nagkakaintidihan na tayo kapatid, alam mo na ‘yun, knowing mo na ‘yun,” Ejercito added.

(So if our guest of honor wants to run in next year’s elections, by now you can already expect—because of her principles and beliefs which I have witnessed during our work in the Senate…but let’s keep it a secret. You already know what I mean, sister.)

Asked later after if his statement was an endorsement of Poe, Ejercito said: “Well kasi siguro masasabi ko na s’ya po’y nakasama ko naging malapit kami sa Senado dahil sa aming trabaho at nakita ko naman ‘yung kanyang dedikasyon.”

(I can say that because of our work in the Senate, we have gotten close and I have seen her dedication.)

But pressed if he would endorse Poe in case the latter joins the presidential race next year, Ejercito said: “Kung saka-sakali. Like I said before it will be a very difficult decision pero syempre titimbangin natin, pag-aralan natin.”

(If ever. Like I said before, it will be a very difficult decision, but of course we will weigh it, we will study it.)

Ejecito pointed out that he and Vice President Jejomar Binay, who has declared his presidential bid, both belong to UNA, while Poe was a personal friend.

READ: JV Ejercito torn between Binay, Poe

Unlike Ejercito, his mother, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, was more categorical in giving her endorsement to Poe’s possible presidential bid. Ejercito is Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s son with Gomez.

READ: Estrada to support Poe against Binay

“Kasi taga San Juan s’ya (Grace), kinakapatid s’ya ng anak ko. Very close kami,” Gomez said in a separate interview.

(Because she is from San Juan and she is the godsister of my son. We are very close.)

Asked then if the city would back Poe’s possible run next year, the San Juan Mayor said: “I think so. Syempre, number 1 po s’ya dito sa San Juan (Because she’s number 1 in San Juan).”

Told that the Vice President might feel bad if they would support Poe, Gomez said: “Sabi nga naming (As we have said), may the best man win.”

She said if Poe will not join the race, then they would just follow whomever Estrada decides to give his endorsement next year.

But if Poe will run, Gomez said: “Ah definitely, kay Grace Poe.” IDL