JV backs ban on political dynasties

Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito says he supports the proposed ban on political dynasties in the federal charter.

In an interview with “The Chiefs” on Thursday on Cignal TV’s One News, Ejercito said he knows that some people will doubt his stand, given the fact that he belongs to a political family that has governed San Juan City for over 40 years.

“It may raise some eyebrows, but I’m one of the principal authors of the SK Electoral Reform law. Under this law, it’s the very first time that (an) anti-dynasty (clause) will be applied, (called) the Ejercito provision,” he said. SK refers to the Sangguniang Kabataan or youth councils.

Ejercito said he realized that the country needs the antipolitical dynasty law to give the penniless the chance to serve since the country’s population reached 100 million some years back.

Ejercito said some people, who have the heart and willingness to serve the country, could not make it for lack of logistics and machinery.

Ejercito is a son of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez.

The former president had also served as mayor of San Juan for over 17 years.

Ejercito’s half-brother, former senator Jinggoy Estrada, is eyeing a Senate run next year.

Jinggoy’s daughter is incumbent San Juan City Vice Mayor Jannella Ejercito. His mother, Loi, is a former senator.

Jannella is eyeing a mayoralty run in San Juan City next year.

JV is a first-term senator, running for re-election next year.

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