JV hopes to be first Estrada to win in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - With his ratings soaring high, UNA senatorial candidate Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito Estrada is optimistic to become the first Estrada to win in this vote-rich province.

"Wala talagang Estrada na nanalo dito sa Cebu. But I am optimistic mananalo ako dito sa Cebu this time," said Estrada.

Estrada admitted that in previous surveys, he is weak in the Visayas area.

In Pulse Asia's February 2013 Pre-Election Survey fielded from February 24-28, Rep. Estrada placed 5th among the 33 senatorial candidates and was favored by 43.8 percent of the survey respondents.

In this survey, Estrada landed on the seventh spot in Central Visayas, wherein Cebu has the biggest share of voters.

According to the Commission on Elections-7, Central Visayas has more than 4.1 million registered voters, the fourth highest in the country.

Cebu has  2.5 million voters followed by Bohol with 775,785. Negros Oriental has 763,937 and Siquijor has 64,804.

Estrada also admitted that since he uses the family name of his father, former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, his ratings surged.

"The Estrada in my name is an alias. Kasi si Presidente Erap at Jinggoy, masyadong malakas especially in Mindanao. Samantalang ako, hindi. But when I included Estrada, tumaas ang rating ko. But I am not deceiving the public, JV Ejercito and JV Ejercito Estrada is the same. Ako pa rin yun," Estrada said.

Estrada however explained that although his family name is a big factor, he also has performance and achievements as a public servant.

Estrada was elected San Juan Mayor in 2001 and served for three terms until 2010, the same year that he was elected as congressman.

He said that during his stint as mayor, San Juan has the lowest poverty rate and the top performing LGU in the delivery of basic services in the country.

" I wanted this to be replicated in the entire country and reduce poverty incidence, hopefully, if elected," said Estrada.  — (FREEMAN)