By Ria Fernandez
Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said Sen. JV Ejercito did not invite him when the latter filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday.
Manila Mayor Estrada (RIA FERNANDEZ/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The senior Estrada told this to Manila Bulletin upon arrival at Comelec with son Jinggoy Estrada, who is out on bail in relation to his alleged involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam and seeking to return to the Senate, on Tuesday.
"Hindi ko alam. city hall . Hindi niya ako inimbita (I did not know. I was at the city hall. He did not invite me)," Estrada said.
Despite this, Estrada said the transfer of Ejercito from his party to Nationalist Peoples' Coalition (NPC) does not change his relationship with him.
"Anak ko siya. Hindi nagbabago (He is my son. It doesn't change)," he said.
Ejercito has been vocal against the planned Senate comeback of half brother Jinggoy as it will hurt his chances to win again in 2019.
But their father Estrada said he is "happy" with Jinggoy's senatorial bid.
The Manila's chief executive said he will file his COC for his third and last term as mayor tomorrow.