Senator JV Ejercito revealed that he had seriously thought about leaving the Senate majority bloc, expressing frustration over how investigations into anomalous flood control projects have shifted away from the real perpetrators.
In a Viber message quoted by Inquirer.net, Ejercito said he tries to stay focused on his work, but admitted that the Senate’s current direction has left him questioning his place in the group. “As for me, everyone knows I just focus on work. But if you’re no longer happy, then what?” he said in Filipino.
In an earlier interview posted on social media, Ejercito was more candid, saying: “To be honest, I seriously thought about leaving the majority. Because if this is the direction we’re headed, it’s like we’re burning down our own house. We’re neglecting our colleagues, and we’re forgetting who the real culprits are.”
The controversy stems from allegations that both former and sitting senators benefitted from “ghost” or substandard flood control projects. The issue is under separate inquiries by the Senate blue ribbon committee, the House infrastructure committee, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who chairs the blue ribbon panel, recently revealed that nearly all senators in the 19th Congress made insertions amounting to P100 billion in the 2025 national budget.
Ejercito lamented that the chamber is “losing focus on the real perpetrators and those behind the chaos.” He described the situation as “sad and discouraging,” adding that the infighting has left the Senate unable to move forward.
The senator also voiced concern that the ongoing controversies could fuel public sentiment for Charter change that might ultimately abolish the Senate. “This might just be another People’s Initiative all over again — destroy the Senate so that through Charter change, it can be abolished entirely,” he warned.
