Erap Estrada endorses Juan Ponce Enrile, 5 other bets for senator

MANILA, Philippines — Former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has endorsed six senatorial candidates in the 2019 polls led by 94-year-old former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile.

In an interview during the Manila City Development Council Convention held at the Manila Hotel on Saturday, Estrada revealed that aside from Enrile, completing the initial six senatorial candidates that he is endorsing for the May 2019 elections include his son former senator Jinggoy Estrada, Ramon Revilla Jr., and re-electionist Senators Nancy Binay, Grace Poe and Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos.

Estrada said he is still considering whether to endorse his son reelectionist Sen. JV Ejercito, who earlier left the elder Estrada’s party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) and transferrred to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

“I’m still thinking about it. He transferred to the other party. But I don’t want to comment any further because if I cannot say anything good to a person, I’d rather not say anything,” Estrada said.

Estrada said Enrile, Jinggoy, Binay, Poe, Revilla and Marcos have good track records and “are articulate.”

Estrada said Enrile, a veteran senator with a sharp mind and law expertise, could guide his fellow senators, especially the new ones, in crafting good legislative measures.

“At his age, senator Enrile remained sharp-minded. He has all the qualities and experience to be a good senator. He is number one on my list of senatorial candidates,” Estrada said. 

Poe and Revilla are godchildren of Estrada.