BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito admitted that he is facing a tough battle in returning to the Senate as he faces the same problem during the 2019 elections, where he and his half-brother, Jinggoy Estrada, both lost.
Despite the tough battle, Ejercito said he has a mission and obligation that is to finish, complete and implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) law which he principally authored.
Estrada is also seeking a Senate seat in the May 9 elections.
So, he added, it is 2019 all over again. Ejercito, who accompanied Senate president Vicente “Tito” Sotto, also a vice presidential candidate, during a meeting with members of the Nationalist People’s Coalition on April 19 in Bacolod City, said.
The UHC, which was passed by Congress in 2019, aims to provide good quality health care for all Filipinos without the financial burden, Ejercito said, adding that the 10-year program is also aimed at improving the health care facilities.
The former senator said the country’s healthcare system suffers from three major problems amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: inadequate healthcare facilities, delayed benefits and privileges for healthcare workers, and mismanagement of the PhilHealth program.
These problems can be addressed through the full implementation of the Universal Healthcare Law, he added.
Given the entire difficult situation, Ejercito, who is the son of former President Joseph Estrada and Negrense Guia Gomez, said he is still thankful for landing in the top 12 senatorial candidates, based on the results conducted by survey firms on the May 9 elections.
I think it is short of a miracle that I am in the top 12, he added.
NPC reelectionist Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer earlier endorsed the senatorial bid of Ejercito, who was also assured of the support from all their party mates in Negros Occidental.*