Sen. JV Ejercito Speaks amid the Issues Between Majority, Minority
JV ERECITO – The Senator remains optimistic in saving the dignity of the Senate following the recent controversial issues.
The majority senators including Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano were absent for two (2) days. Thus, there was no Senate plenary session for two (2) days as well. It earned criticisms from their fellow lawmakers in the minority bloc.
No majority senators came to the Senate’s Monday session as some of them accompanied Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. He voluntarily surrendered himself to the authorities after the Sandiganbayan released an arrest warrant against him.
Graft and plunder charges were filed against Estrada. The Senate is faced with accusations of alleged multi-million flood control corruption. He denied the accusations.
According to Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, he ordered the Senate secretary to hold off his salary while he’s clearing his name and he won’t also seek Senate custody. He stressed that he is ready to defend himself and won’t use the chamber for his protection.
The absence of the majority senators did not sit well with many minority senators. The chamber was also greatly criticized for the alleged escape of Sen. Bato dela Rosa who is faced with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Recently, Sen. JV Ejercito spoke amid the Senate issues.
Sen. JV Ejercito remains optimistic in reviving the Senate custody amid the many issues that are happening now. Based on News5, the Senator called on his fellow lawmakers not to allow the chamber to be fully drowned.
“Bagsak na bagsak na ang imahe ng Senado, ng institusyon natin. Kung may pagmamahal pa tayo ‘wag naman sana natin hayaan na matuluyan na malugmok,” Ejercito said.
Sen. JV Ejercito previously admitted that he feels sad for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada but stressed that accountability should prevail. Based on the post, he called on his fellow lawmakers to revive the dignity and respect for the Senate.
“Ibangon natin at ibalik natin ang dignidad. Ibalik natin ang respeto sa Senado,” the Senator said.
Previously, prior to his surrender to the authorities, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada claimed that he allegedly refused the offer of the minority bloc to join them in exchange of the dismissal of his case.