MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito aired his grievances toward Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III after being left out of the possible PDP-Laban senatorial slate for the 2019 elections.
Earlier this week, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez revealed the names of eight possible candidates of the ruling party in the upcoming midterm elections.
The lineup includes Pimentel, former MMDA chair Francis Tolentino, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, Maguindanao Rep. Zajid "Dong" Mangudadatu, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, Davao Rep. Karlo Nograles, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and special assistant to the president Bong Go.
Ejercito called out Pimentel for not assuring that all six re-electionist senators, including himself, were included in the administration party's senatorial lineup.
"Dun po 'yung sama ng loob ng mga re-electionist senators na naging supportive naman kami bakit parang ayaw kami isama sa administration coalition kung sakali," Ejercito said in a press conference Thursday.
(That's the resentment of the re-electionist senators who have been supportive but it appears that they do not want to include us in the administration coalition if ever.)
If Alvarez has his own slate, Pimentel should also allot slots for incumbent senators who have shown support for the administration, Ejercito said.
Ejercito said that he had already expressed his sentiments to Pimentel during their caucuses.
"We have done our part to support sana naman alagaan din kami (they should take care of us, too)," Ejercito said.
Ejercito also revealed that he and other re-electionist senators Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar are working on a possible alliance to run under Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's "Hugpong ng Pagbabago."
Although talks are not yet final, the six re-electionist senators have decided to stay together, whether under a coalition or not.
"Sana ilaban naman yung six re-electionists who did their part in their support for the administration and more than that did their part in their performance as senators of the republic," Ejercito said. — Video report by Kat Leandicho