Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 3) — Former senator Jinggoy Estrada on Sunday filed his certificate of candidacy, as he seeks a return to the Senate in the 2022 elections.
He arrived at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City before 3 p.m. to make his Senate comeback bid official. The actor-turned-lawmaker is the president of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, the party founded by his father, former President Joseph Estrada.
In a speech after the filing, Jinggoy said he intends to help generate more jobs for Filipinos, citing the significant job losses in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, his half-brother former Senator JV Ejercito also filed his COC for senator.
Both brothers lost in the senatorial race in 2019, with Jinggoy landing at the 15th spot and Ejercito placing 13th. They were part of the slate endorsed by Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the party led by presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.
Jinggoy served two terms as senator from 2004 to 2016, the last two years of which were spent in jail due to plunder charges in connection with the pork barrel scam.
He was released on bail in 2017 after three years in jail, but his plunder case remains pending.
Estrada on what he wants to do if elected as senator: Job generation, we need to involve the private sector.
He says he will leave it to the courts to decide on his pending plunder case over allegedly misused pork barrel funds, ghost beneficiaries | @meltlopez pic.twitter.com/q92fa26g9g
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) October 3, 2021
