By Ben Rosario
CATARMAN, Northern Samar – A scuffle between campaign personnel of re-electionist Sen. JV Ejercito and, former Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has not raised any concern in the Hugpong ng Pagbabago camp as its leaders remained optimistic that the “bad blood” between the half-brothers will be resolved “in God’s time.”
Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte
(HNP / MANILA BULLETIN)
HNP chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte confirmed that campaign workers of Ejercito and Estrada came to blows after an altercation at the backstage of a sortie in Legaspi City, Albay last week.
“I said na okay lang yan and we understand medyo meron talagang ganyan na darating na ganyang situation,” said Duterte (It’s okay and we understand that something like that would happen).
Duterte is fully aware of the animosity between Ejercito and Estrada, who are sons of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
In fact, the HNP senatorial campaign manager has taken the tense sibling rivalry in jest whenever she introduces the two bets seeking a seat in the Senate.
“Maaring hindi magkasundo yung magkapatid but, as I said, inulit ko sa kanila na darating yung panahon—hindi natin alam kung kailan, Diyos lang ang makakasagot—magkakaayos din yan lahat (They may not be in good terms but as I said, I told both of them, that time will come, we just don’t know when, only God can answer, they will make peace with each other)
Duterte said she received reports that the Ejercito and Estrada campaign workers came to blows after a heated argument.
San Juan Vice Mayor Janella Estrada, the former senator’s daughter, said her father’s campaign headquarters had already suspended the person involved in the scuffle.
The Ejercito camp has yet to comment on the issue.
Duterte said the HNP has not taken any action on the controversy, in an apparent move to allow the feuding camps to resolve the squabble between themselves.
The presidential daughter said Estrada has already apologized to her although she expects Ejercito to talk to her about the incident.
The feud between Ejercito and Estrada is well-known. Both have engaged in a sibling rivalry since they were still kids.
The rift widened recently when Ejercito objected to Estrada’s decision to pursue a Senate seat, warning that they will be open to accusations of building a political dynasty.