With or without the endorsement of President Duterte, former Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” E. Estrada said yesterday he would continue to be an ally of this administration.
“I respect the recent statements made by President Duterte and the decision of the PDP-Laban regarding their preferred senatorial bets,” Estrada said of his non-inclusion in the President’s personal list of preferred senatorial candidates.
Estrada maintained that his support for the administration is not diminished in any way.
“While the endorsement of our popular President will be helpful to my senatorial candidacy, I trust that the Filipino people will reelect me to the Senate based on my good track record as a public servant, long list of legislative accomplishments, and genuine desire to uplift the lives of the masses,” he said.
Duterte had earlier said Estrada is not included in his senatorial lineup, despite raising his hand in an event last week.
Duterte, on the sidelines of the PDP-Laban’s senatorial campaign kick-off in Bulacan, said that he only mentioned Estrada in an event in Legazpi City, Albay last week out of courtesy.
“Nandoon siya eh. Alang-alang naman na hindi ko siya,” he said. “Even for just one single day masabihan mo na ang kandidato mo 13 lahat. What is that to a friend? We know that he has suffered. We know that he was in prison,” he said.
Estrada is implicated in the “pork barrel” fund scam and is out on bail. He and former Sen. Ramon “Bong” B. Revilla Jr. are part of Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s senatorial slate. HNP is the political party of presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. (Mario B. Casayuran and Argyll Geducos)