Sen. JV Ejercito Speaks on Thought of being Part of Independent Bloc amid Flood Control Mess in PH
JV EJERCITO – The Senator admitted that he considered leaving the Senate majority bloc amid the flood control mess in the Philippines.
Several congressmen and senators are linked to the flood control mess in the Philippines. Controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya accused former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde, Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo, and Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro are accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects.
The Senate had a shakeup amid the flood control issue in the Philippines. Sen. Chiz Escudero was ousted from the Senate presidency and replaced by Senate Pres. Tito Sotto. Several members of the Duterte bloc are now part of the Senate Minority bloc. Sen. Chiz Escudero is one of the senators accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects. The accusation was made by former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo during the Senate flood probe.
Aside from Escudero, senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva are also accused of flood control corruption following the testimony of dismissed DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez. Previously, during a Senate privilege speech, Escudero slammed former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Speaking before his fellow senators, Sen. Chiz Escudero claimed that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez is allegedly the reason behind the chaos, fighting, and division in the nation. He also claimed that Romualdez is allegedly the mastermind of the flood control corruptions against the senators.
An ethics complaint was filed before the Senate ethics committee against Escudero over the P30-million campaign donation to him by a contractor. Based on a report of GMA News, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) also issued a show-cause order to Escudero.
Recently, amid the flood control issue, Sen. Imee Marcos left the group chat of all senators. According to her, the group chat, the Senate sessions, and the hearings are allegedly focused in pressuring their fellow lawmakers in the Senate and she just wants to work.
Recently, Sen. JV Ejercito admitted that he is considering of leaving the Senate Majority bloc. Through a text message to ABS-CBN News, not only him but as well as four (4) senators consider leaving the Majority bloc and think of being “independent”.
“For me the focus should be sa real culprits ng modus, mukhang nawawala doon. It was a thought. Trabaho lang ako. I am just frustrated and sad at what is happening to this country. Hindi na tayo makausad,” he said.
Based on the report, despite the though of leaving the Senate Majority bloc, Sen. JV Ejercito clarified that nobody is moving to replace Senate Pres. Tito Sotto from the leadership in the upper chamber.
Previously, Malacañang reacted to the speech of Sen. Chiz Escudero against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.