Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday said the arrest of his brother, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, should not be viewed as an attack on Senate independence, saying the legal process must proceed while the chamber continues its work.
In a radio interview, Ejercito said he was saddened by Estrada’s arrest but said he also has a duty as an elected public servant to uphold accountability and allow the courts to determine the truth.
“Siyempre, nakakalungkot bilang kapatid. Kahit papano eh, kadugo ko ‘yan, ‘di lang kasamahan sa Senado (Of course, it is saddening as a brother. After all, he is my blood relative, not just a colleague in the Senate),” Ejercito said.
He said the situation is difficult because it involves both a family member and his mandate as a public official.
“Bagamat ako’y nalulungkot bilang colleague at pamilya, napakahirap timbangin dahil ako rin ay isang halal na lingkod-bayan. Meron tayong mandato na kailangan nating umusad ang batas para lumabas ang katotohanan (Although I am saddened as a colleague and family member, it is difficult to weigh because I am also an elected public servant. We have a mandate to allow the law to move forward so the truth can come out),” he said.
Ejercito said the courts should determine whether Estrada is guilty or not, adding that the legal process would allow the accused to prove his defense.
“Sa huli, siyempre ang kailangan natin ay manaig ang hustisya dahil pinag-uusapan dito ay accountability at pera ng taong bayan. Ang korte na po ang magde-determine niyan (In the end, of course, justice must prevail because what is involved here is accountability and the people’s money. The court will determine that),” he said.
Ejercito said the minority bloc’s position is that Monday’s non-convening of session was not about Senate independence but appeared to be a boycott over Estrada’s arrest.
He said the minority senators were inside the session hall for the 5 p.m. resumption of session and waited until almost 7 p.m., but the majority bloc did not show up.
“Nagulat din kami sa minority na hindi po sumipot ang mga member ng majority kahapon (We in the minority were also surprised that members of the majority did not show up yesterday),” he said.
Ejercito said the Senate should have continued its work because only a few session days remained before adjournment and several matters still needed action.
He cited pending bills on third or final reading, naturalization measures for Gilas Pilipinas players, and Commission on Appointments confirmations, including those involving Armed Forces of the Philippines officials.
“Kawawa po sila. Sana po ito ang ating responsibilidad na mag-convene para po ma-confirm din (They would be pitiful. I hope we fulfill our responsibility to convene so they can also be confirmed),” he said.
Ejercito said the minority intends to attend the remaining session days before adjournment on June 6.
He urged senators from both blocs to help restore public trust in the Senate amid recent political tensions.
Meanwhile, Sen. Erwin Tulfo criticized the majority bloc’s failure to attend session, saying senators are paid from public funds to report for work and not to boycott legislative duties over the arrest of a colleague.
“Nakakahiya po dyan, i-boycott. So hindi nyo kami papasok. Paano naman po ‘yung sweldo? So hindi ka papasok, sinisweldohan ka. Saan ka makakita naman ng gano’n sa democratic country (It is shameful to boycott. So you will not report for work. What about the salary? You do not report for work but you are still paid. Where do you see that in a democratic country)?” Tulfo said in a radio interview.
Tulfo said the majority should have attended session and aired its grievances on the floor, including any objection to the Ombudsman or the Sandiganbayan, instead of allowing Senate work to stall. (PNA)