Senator JV Ejercito detailed the struggles he faced campaigning without a built-in crowd like UniTeam and Leni-Kiko at a media conference on April 11.
Ejercito admitted he had difficulties running for senate by himself but thanked other presidential candidates for having him as a guest candidate.
“Of course, I have to admit napakahirap talaga ng kampayang ‘to. Mahirap mag-isa. Although nakakapunta naman ako kila Senator Sotto-Lacson, kayla Yorme, kayla Senator Manny, those who adopted me, also sending my thanks for adopting me as a guest candidate.
“Wala ako noong built-in crowd tulad ng UniTeam or katulad ng kayla Leni Kiko na ang lalaki ng crowd, ‘yung pupunta ka lang andon na ‘yung crowd. Libo-libo.”
He then clarified that campaigning by himself had its upsides because he could focus on his platforms and plans if he wins a senate seat in the 2022 elections.
“I think it is also a blessing in disguise that I’m moving alone because I get to elaborate more on my accomplishments, the Universal Health Care Law, Department of Housing, my push for Infrastructure development, my platforms, and my plans. Mas naipo-focus sa akin instead of being presidential team na ang dami-dami niyo na ang focus ay nasa presidential, vice presidential candidates.”
He then cited the Universal Health Care Law he authored and how the country benefited from it amid the pandemic.
“People are more aware now of the Universal Health Care Law, kasi three years na siyang na-implement, and a lot of people have already benefited. Lalo na ‘yung time ng COVID, lahat ng na-COVID, na cover ng PhilHealth. So people I think are appreciating what I have done in the senate.”
He added that his achievements spoke for themselves, which helped people appreciate and recognize him despite his solo campaign.
“All the provinces that I have visited sobrang init ng pagtanggap sa akin. Hindi naman ako showbiz, hindi naman ako popular, pero ramdam mo ‘yung init. Mas mainit siya for some reason than 2019, na nakaupo ako. It’s probably the appreciation and recognition of my efforts when I was in the senate.”
JV Ejercito recently secured the 12th slot for the senatorial candidates on Pulse Asia’s Magic 12 survey. He vowed to watch over the Universal Health Care Law and focus on housing and job security through infrastructure development if he gets reelected to the senate.
