If Ejercito wins a Senate seat, he vowed to continue to push for some of Duterte’s programs like healthcare and infrastructure development.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) — President Rodrigo Duterte has endorsed senatorial aspirant JV Ejercito, whom he called a “friend and a partner” of the administration.
A video posted by Ejercito on Facebook on Wednesday showed Duterte urging the public to support his comeback in the Senate. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=510751887081192&id=100044391550884
“I endorse JV Ejercito as he runs for the Senate in the upcoming elections,” Duterte said. “JV Ejercito has always been a friend and a partner for this administration in pushing for advocacies that advance our development agenda especially for the poor.”
“I know that he has always served our country and people with diligence and hard work,” the President added. “I hope that you’ll give him another chance to serve you.”
In his caption, Ejercito thanked Duterte for his kind words. He also said he is honored by the endorsement, and hopes this will help boost his numbers in Mindanao, particularly in the Davao Region.
In his interview with CNN Philippines’ The Source on the same day, Ejercito thanked Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for mentioning his name in her proclamation rally.
He also stressed his close ties with the President, with their friendship going way back when they were both mayors.
“I have to be honest that I am quite closer to PRRD, the President,” Ejercito shared. “When I was mayor, he was also mayor, that was when we forged a sisterhood city agreement between Davao and San Juan. So we go a long way back.”
Ejercito was San Juan mayor from 2001 to 2010. At the time, Duterte was the local chief executive of Davao City.
Despite being part of three senatorial slates, Ejercito is not part of the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte lineup. His brother Jinggoy Estrada is included in the ticket.
The Estrada brothers lost in the senatorial race in 2019, with Ejercito placing 13th and Jinggoy ending up in 15th place.
