Estrada, ‘upset’ over Ejercito’s ‘sibling rivalry’ comment

Senate labor chairman Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said he was “very upset” and  “deeply hurt “ by San Juan Representative  Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito’s alleged “efforts to  generate  publicity” when he supposedly made comments  over a supposed sibling rivalry between them.

“I have never been a party to what others regard as a sibling rivalry nor considered our relationship as such. I believe that the nature of our tepid relationship is perhaps understandable considering our family’s circumstances,” Estrada, Ejercito’s half-brother, said in a statement.

“I am very upset and deeply hurt over some of the comments made by him and his efforts to generate publicity over a supposed competition or rivalry between us at my expense,”  he said.

Ejercito is running for the Senate in 2013 under the United Alliance.

Estrada said “any statement insinuating hostility much more creating public perception of antagonism stemming from such family setup between two lawmakers possibly extending to the halls of the Senate is farfetched and very unfortunate.”

“I admit that we may not agree and even argue on some social and political issues – much like the atmosphere in any deliberative body and the current Philippine Senate where free exchange of ideas is not only welcome but absolutely necessary,” he said.

“Again, this does not mean that we have to be at each other’s throat at all times, though it seems that my brother thinks otherwise,” said the senator.

“If he happens to be elected as a Senator and there comes a time when there is something to point out with respect to legislative work or socio-political concerns, I will carry out the task as a seasoned legislator and as a statesman considering that my brother is a younger colleague.”

“I believe that I have done my best to prove that I can rise above any petty and unjust remarks against me from my own brother. I sincerely hope that as a senatorial aspirant who I look forward to being a colleague in the Senate, he can do the same,”  Estrada added.

Ejercito  reportedly said that his much-publicized rivalry with the senator might extend to the Senate if he would get elected in 2013.

“It’s going to be exciting. Some even say there’s going to be a check-and-balance in the Senate,” the report said,  a copy of which was furnished to Senate reporters by Estrada’s office.