Senior Deputy Majority Leader Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday clarified that no threats or concessions were made to convince Senators Joel Villanueva and Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero to join the Gatchalian-led bloc.
“Hindi naman po. Alam nina Sen. Villanueva at Sen. Escudero na walang pananakot, wala ring kapalit na concession o kung ano man para sila ay lumipat,” Ejercito said during an interview on DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
He acknowledged, however, that he played a role in communicating between the senators and the majority bloc, citing his close relationships with both lawmakers.
Ejercito said he previously served as deputy majority leader under Villanueva when the latter was majority leader, and also worked closely with Escudero during his term as Senate President, making him a “bridge” for communication within the chamber.
“Kaya kung may kailangan na iparating sa kanila ‘yung sa grupo ay pinararating ko. Hindi naman sa kinakailangan ko silang kumbinsihin na lumipat ka pero ako’y mesenger lamang,” he said.
He emphasized that the decision of Escudero and Villanueva to join the majority was made independently.
“Desisyon nila ‘yan at walang concession. Wala akong nalalaman na may concession,” Ejercito said.
He added that, in his view, the senators were motivated by concern and love for the institution amid recent tensions in the chamber.
“Ang kanila po I think, more than anything dahil sila ay naging leader ng Senado, Senate president and majority leader ‘yung pagmamahal nila sa institusyon na sorry but it was damage the past few months,“ Ejercito said.
“Talagang damage ang reputasyon ay tingin ko pagmamahal sa institusyon, pagmamahal sa Senado ay palagay ko ‘yan ang nagtulak sa kanila para sumama na para sa new majority,” he added.
“Noong si Sen. Escudero at Villanueva noong magkabilang panig pa kami ako’y nasa minority at sila ay nasa majority… dahil sa kaguluhan nakikita ko sa kanilang kilos mukhang hindi na rin sila natutuwa sa nangyayari. Nalulungkot din sila,” he stated.
Escudero left the Cayetano-led faction on June 3, becoming the 12th member of the majority bloc and helping secure a quorum.
Villanueva later joined on June 17 during a special Senate session called by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
With Villanueva’s entry, the majority bloc grew to 13 members during a recent Senate session, strengthening its numbers and paving the way for the election of Gatchalian as Senate President.
Ejercito also said he has acted as a “bridge” across different Senate alignments in previous Congresses, including between former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and members of the minority bloc, stressing that communication among senators is part of institutional work.
“Kay Sen. Alan ng siya ay SP ay naging tulay din naman ako sa ilang pagkakataon kay Pangulo at sa dating minority.
When asked if any minority members were planning to join their bloc, he said: “Trabaho lang ito. Kung may lilipat, mas maganda kung sama-sama tayong magtatrabaho bilang isang Senado.”
