Brothers who both lost in the 2019 senatorial elections, JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada, have signalled that they would run again in 2022 and that only one of them seek a Senate comeback.
It's not clear who between the sons of former President Joseph Estrada will give way. Neither has expressed intention to give way to the other except for Jinggoy saying that he and JV need to talk.
When the brothers lost, so did their father (to Manila Mayor Isko Moreno) and for the first time in decades, the Estradas lost their grip on San Juan politics to their erstwhile allies, the Zamoras.
An Estrada comeback in national politics is more likely if only one of the brothers runs for senator, said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform.
"Hindi maiwasan na hindi magkakaroon ng pagtatalo diyan kasi parehong pamilya, parehong pangalan. Sigurado 'yan kapag may pagtakbo, imposibleng hindi sila magbanggaan o mag-agawan ng boto," he told reportr.
"Sa case ng dalawang 'yan, mag-aagawan siguro, masakit talaga 'yan kasi ang hahabulin mo 'yung legacy ng tatay, kung sino ang magkakarga. 'Di puwedeng kargahin ng dalawa," he said.
Jinggoy first signaled this week that only one Estrada should run for senator. "Mabuti na iisa lang ang Estrada na tumakbo kasi minsan nalilito ang ating mga botante kung sino sa aming dalawa. So siguro it's high time that we get to talk to each other."
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Ejercito agreed in a separate interview on ANC: "I agree with him, there should only be one Estrada." He said this would wasting time, money, and effort just like what happened in 2019.
The 2019 vote heightened the rivalry of the brothers when Ejercito released ads calling himself "the good one". JV placed 13th, just one place short of the winners' circle while Jinggoy was 15th.
