Sen. JV Ejercito Admitted being Torn between Escudero and Sotto for Senate Presidency
JV EJERCITO – The Senate Deputy Majority Leader confirmed his support for Senate President Chiz Escudero to remain as the leader of the chamber in the 20th Congress.
Currently, there are at least three (3) names being linked to the Senate presidency in the 20th Congress — Chiz Escudero, Tito Sotto, and Imee Marcos. Senate Pres. Escudero previously expressed that he is open to lead the chamber again.
According to former Senate president and incoming Sen. Tito Sotto, he is also open to be the Senate president again if he has the numbers. He was the Senate president during the 18th Congress. He is one of the four (4) members of the “conscience bloc” composed of veteran lawmakers in the Senate.
Presidential sister and reelected Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that some senators want her to be the Senate president in the 20th Congress. She previously expressed her desire to join the ‘Duterte bloc’ in the Senate. There are several Duterte allies in the Senate including senators Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, and Robin Padilla.
With the opening of the 20th Congress, Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito previously admitted that he is torn between Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero and former Senate Pres. Tito Sotto with regards to the Senate presidency. He stressed that he is grateful to both senators.
Sen. Ejercito recalled that it was during the Senate presidency of Sotto that he was able to pass two (2) “landmark legislations” which include the Universal Healthcare Law and the creation of the Department of Human Settlements. Under the Senate presidency of Escudero, he became the Deputy Majority Leader again.
“I think the Senate was able to pass a lot of priority measures. Medyo marami ring accomplishments under the leadership of Senate President Chiz,” he said.
Recently, based on a report on PhilStar, Sen. JV Ejercito reiterated his support to Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero. He stressed that it would be improper to leave behind the current leadership. He, Escudero, and Sotto are all under the NPC or the Nationalist People’s Coalition. According to the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, the political party has not told its members on who to vote for the Senate presidency.
Sen. JV Ejercito also previously expressed his belief that the NPC may be also having a hard time deciding who to support for the Senate presidency. He believes that it would be so much easier to choose if there was only one (1) senator from the NPC who is being pushed for the Senate presidency.
Incoming Sen. Erwin Tulfo also revealed his and his brother Sen. Raffy Tulfo’s vote for the Senate presidency.