FORMER Senator Joseph Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito admitted that finances might be one of challenges that could hinder his Senate candidacy for 2022 national elections.

“Hindi po biro ang sumali sa dalawang magkasunod na eleksiyon. Kaya malaking gastos din po ito,” said Ejercito.

At present, he is still contemplating running for a senatorial post.

“Ang masasabi ko sa inyo noong ako’y nasa Senado, we only given an opportunity once. MInsan maaaring may rason, everything has a reason. Isang termino lang ako nakatakbo, sayang hindi ko natuloy,” said Ejercito.

In his his speech during the Chartering and Induction Ceremony of the Alliance Servare D’ Strikers Maharlika Eagle Club and Rajah Lakandula Maharlika Eagle Club of the Fraternal Order of Eagle (Philippine Eagle) at the Abardeen Court Great Eastern Hotel in Quezon City, Saturday night, Ejercito said there are still things to work on specially the implementation side of the landmark laws that he authored and passed.

“I was able to pass a lot of landmark laws in the Senate. Nakatulong po ang aking mga Kuya at Ate (Fraternal Order of Eagle) and one of that is the Universal Health Care Law kung saan ang bawat Pilipino ay insured na dahil lahat kayo’y miyembro na ng Philhealth na kung kayo’y sa oras na pangangailangan ng bawat isa ay mayroon na kayong makukuhang ayuda o assistance sa ating pamahalaan,” he added.

Ejercito agreed with his brother, Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada that only one of them should run but insisting that he has still many legislations to pass.

“I still have things to work on specially on the implementation side of the landmark laws that I passed,” Ejercito said.

He is still hoping that his brother Jingoy will give way for his candidacy considering that even President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and presidential daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte have expressed their support for JV’s.

Ejercito, also known as the Mr. The Good One, is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Their party president, Senate President Tito Sotto announced that Ejercito is one of the Magic 12 ticket of the Lacson-Sotto tandem in next year’s elections.

“Integrity is very important.Sabi nila it takes 20 years to build a name but it only takes five minutes to destroy your name. Ganun kahirap,” Ejercito said.

“Isa pang konsiderasyon ko, magkasunod na eleksyon ito. 2019 at 2022. Funding is also a consideration. Pero maipagmamalaki ko ang aking pangalan. Ako ay isang Agila at ipagmamalaki ko yan,” he added.

Ejercito is the principal author and sponsor of Universal Healthcare Law that mandates the automatic membership of all Pilipino in Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.

During the 2019 midterm elections, Estrada and then-reelectionist Ejercito ran for the Senate but lost.

Estrada landed on the 15th spot with over 11 million votes while Ejercito was on 13th spot with over 14 million votes.

Ejercito had blamed Jinggoy’s candidacy for his loss, saying his half-brother was the “biggest problem” in his 2019 senatorial bid.