By Merlina Hernando-Manlipot
"Cold."
This is how reelectionist Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito described his relationship with his father, former President, and current Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Administration senatorial bet JV Ejercito (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Ejercito, who was among the guests invited in the last installment of the "Harapan 2019: The ABS-CBN Senatorial Town Hall Debate" likened his relationship to his father as that of the temperature inside the cold ABS-CBN studio.
During the “Fast Talk” round of the senatorial forum on Sunday, March 3, Ejercito was asked to describe in one word his relationship to Estrada wherein he answered: "Naku, para itong studio, malamig, pero iinit din yan."
Earlier, Ejercito left his father’s Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) over a political feud with his half-brother Jinggoy Estrada who is also eyeing a Senatorial seat in the upcoming midterm elections in May. Despite this, he said that his “doors are not yet closed” to the possibility of rejoining the party.
A total of eight Senate hopefuls attended the ABS-CBN town hall debate in partnership with the Manila Bulletin. Each of the senatorial candidates was given a chance to share their platforms and persuade the public that they are worthy of support.
The fourth debate featured Ejercito, United Nationalist Alliance candidate Dan Kaibigan Roleda, Partido Lakas ng Masa bet Ka Leody De Guzman, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas' Dado Padilla and Elmer Francisco, and Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino bets Toti Casiño and RJ Javellana. Ernesto Arellano is the lone independent candidate in the debate.
ON TRAIN, FEDERALISM, TERM LIMITS AND DEATH PENALTY
The senatorial bets tried to woo voters as they each presented their respective platforms to address various national issues which involve jobs, health, and education – among others.
In the first "Fast Talk" round, four senatorial candidates weighed on the passage and implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN). Ejercito, who was one of those who voted for the passage of the TRAIN law, was asked if he made a "wrong decision" to support the passage of the TRAIN Law. As one of those who voted for TRAIN law, Estrada was asked if he felt he made the wrong decision. “May sapat na panahon para sabihin kung tayo ay nagkamali o hindi, meron tayong proseso para itama ito,” he said.
As a consumer-advocate, Javellana said that TRAIN Law has benefitted the consumers – except the excise tax on fuel – especially “mga manggagawa na kung saan sweldo ay natanggalan ang tax.” Francisco, on the other hand, believes that the TRAIN law should be suspended “dahil nakakataas ito ng inflation.” For Padilla, if there is one law that should not be passed, it is the TRAIN law “sapagka’t ito ay naramdaman agad ng mga consumers na pahirap para sa kanila.
When it comes to charter change, Estrada said that it is now the time to shift the form of government “para tayo ay makasabay sa ating mga karatig-bansa lalo na sa economic provisions.” While he is in favor of the proposed shift to federalism, he noted the need to “study it further.” Javellana also believes that the talk of charter change and federalism should be studied further. “Kailangan taong-bayan ang magtulak ng pagpapalit ng Konstitusyon, hindi politiko, hindi galing sa taas – dapat ang rebolusyon ay manggaling sa ibaba, hindi sa itaas,” he said.
Meanwhile, Francisco believes that a federal form of government is suitable to the Philippines. “Unang-una, ako sinasabi ko para sa trabaho kasi with federalism, magkakaroon ng mas malaking budget ang mga LGUs para i-develop ang mga infrastructure at sa gayon ay makakagawa tayo ng napakaraming trabaho sa probinsiya at hindi lang sa Metro Manila,” he explained.
The candidates were also asked for their respective positions on the term limits of government officials. Estrada, Javellana, and Francisco believe that term limits is needed.
“Madaming magagaling at patriotikong Pilipino at para mapagbigyan din natin lahat, lalo na ang kabataan,” Javellano said. Francisco expressed his disapproval on removing the term limits for government officials, saying “maraming Pilipino ang talented at gustong magsilbi sa bayan, hindi naman pwedeng parati na lang sila.” Estrada is also in favor of term limits for government positions noting that “kahit magaling, may hangganan din marami ang may kakayahan at dapat pagbigyan din sila.”
The senatoriables were also asked about their stand on death penalty. For Estrada, death penalty is a fitting punishment for politicians who are found guilty of plunder. Javellana agreed, adding that death penalty should not just be for plunderers but also for rapists.
Meanwhile, Francisco stood against death penalty. “Para sa akin, napakahalaga ng buhay ng tao at hindi pwedeng patay ka lang ng patay.” For plunderers, he believed that the justice system should deal with it. “Pwedeng ikulong ng habang-buhay pero huwag natin patayin,” he ended. #MatalinongBoto2019