MANILA – Senator Jinggoy Estrada and half-brother Senator JV Ejercito, who have a long-withstanding rift, are seen to reconcile in next year’s elections as they unite against a political rival.
Estrada and Ejercito are sons of Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada. They are said to be planning on combining their political forces against San Juan City Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, who is reportedly considering competing against incumbent Mayor Guia Gomez in the coming elections.
A source claims that the two senators’ rift has been due to local politics when each supported a different candidate in the 2013 elections.
Ejercito confirmed the source’s claim.
“Our rift, which started decades ago, was because of politics. We were supporting separate candidates for several years and it caused our rift to deepen,” he said.
Ironically, the very reason for their falling apart may also be the reason for them to patch up.
“The good thing is when our rivalry started in local politics, our reconciliation would also be due to politics,” he added.
Estrada and Ejercito are reportedly regrouping their political party to become a ‘force to be reckoned with’ in next year’s local elections in support with the latter’s mother, Gomez. There is no official declaration of contenders in both parties yet but Estrada’s daughter San Juan City Councilo Janella is supposedly set to be Gomez’ running mate.