By Mario Casayuran
Former Senator Jose ‘Jinggoy’ Estrada is making a Senate comeback bid.
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Estrada, in a radio interview Saturday, said he wanted to seek another berth at the Upper House to serve the people. He said he would run under the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) banner, a party formed by his father, former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph ‘’Erap’’Estrada. “Malamang. Wala nang atrasan (It is certain. There is no turning back),” he said. He was reacting to a query whether or not he is decided one filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec). ‘’Wala akong pagkukulang sa Senado, I served the Senate for 10 years,” he said, adding that his last two years in second consecutive six-year term was interrupted by his incarceration on plunder charges during the Aquino administration. He, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former Senator Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr. are on trial before the Sandiganbayan on the plunder complaint arising from the P10-billion pork barrel scam. While Enrile and Estrada are out on bail, young Revilla remains at the Philippine National Police (PNP) detention center at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Filing of COCs for candidates in the 2019 midterm elections is scheduled from October 11 to 17. He placed sixth in a recent Pulse Asia survey for senatoriables. He is thus ranked sixth to 10th. Duterte factor Estrada profusely thanked presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio for endorsing him and his half-brother, Senator Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito. Although JV is ranked 11th to 17th, this might yet improve as the political campaign has yet to start. Former President Estrada is one of the godfathers of the Davao City mayor’s child. Although he is not close to JV, Jinggoy said he would help his half-brother in the coming political campaign. He admitted that in Philippine politics the ‘’Estrada’’ family name helps a lot. ‘Bong’ He also said young Revilla is a viable senatorial bet despite still in detention. He said he would talk to young Revilla if he would run when he visits him on September 25 at the PNP where Revilla will celebrate his birth anniversary. Estrada stressed that he would also help Revilla should he decide to launch a Senate comeback bid. Both Revilla and Estrada are also movie actors. Estrada pointed out that, while in jail on plunder charges along with his father during the Arroyo administration, he won in the 2004 senatorial election. He was later acquitted by the courts. He chaired the Senate labor committee where he authored the Kasambahay law that now benefits 3.5 million domestic helpers.
Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Estrada, in a radio interview Saturday, said he wanted to seek another berth at the Upper House to serve the people. He said he would run under the Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) banner, a party formed by his father, former President and current Manila Mayor Joseph ‘’Erap’’Estrada. “Malamang. Wala nang atrasan (It is certain. There is no turning back),” he said. He was reacting to a query whether or not he is decided one filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec). ‘’Wala akong pagkukulang sa Senado, I served the Senate for 10 years,” he said, adding that his last two years in second consecutive six-year term was interrupted by his incarceration on plunder charges during the Aquino administration. He, former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former Senator Ramon ‘’Bong’’ Revilla Jr. are on trial before the Sandiganbayan on the plunder complaint arising from the P10-billion pork barrel scam. While Enrile and Estrada are out on bail, young Revilla remains at the Philippine National Police (PNP) detention center at Camp Crame in Quezon City. Filing of COCs for candidates in the 2019 midterm elections is scheduled from October 11 to 17. He placed sixth in a recent Pulse Asia survey for senatoriables. He is thus ranked sixth to 10th. Duterte factor Estrada profusely thanked presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio for endorsing him and his half-brother, Senator Joseph Victor ‘’JV’’ Ejercito. Although JV is ranked 11th to 17th, this might yet improve as the political campaign has yet to start. Former President Estrada is one of the godfathers of the Davao City mayor’s child. Although he is not close to JV, Jinggoy said he would help his half-brother in the coming political campaign. He admitted that in Philippine politics the ‘’Estrada’’ family name helps a lot. ‘Bong’ He also said young Revilla is a viable senatorial bet despite still in detention. He said he would talk to young Revilla if he would run when he visits him on September 25 at the PNP where Revilla will celebrate his birth anniversary. Estrada stressed that he would also help Revilla should he decide to launch a Senate comeback bid. Both Revilla and Estrada are also movie actors. Estrada pointed out that, while in jail on plunder charges along with his father during the Arroyo administration, he won in the 2004 senatorial election. He was later acquitted by the courts. He chaired the Senate labor committee where he authored the Kasambahay law that now benefits 3.5 million domestic helpers.