JV Ejercito: I'm leaving Senate with my integrity 'intact'

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. JV Ejercito, who lost his reelection bid in this year’s midterm elections, said he is leaving the upper chamber with his integrity “intact.”

Ejercito made the statement as he accepted his defeat hours before the proclamation of winning senators Wednesday morning.

“Kunin ko na ang pagkakataon magpasalamat sa sambayanang Pilipino sa pagkakataon na ako ay nakapaglingkod bilang senador ng ating bansa. Isang karangalan na kayo ay paglingkuran,” Ejercito wrote on Twitter.

(I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Filipinos for giving me the chance to serve as a senator of our country. It’s an honor to serve you.)

He added: “[I’ll] be walking away from the Senate with my integrity intact.”

Ejercito finished at 13th place in the final and official tally with 14,313,727 votes. Fellow reelectionist Sen. Bam Aquino also failed to extend his stay at the upper house after placing 14th with 14,144,923 votes.

JV’s half brother Jinggoy earlier conceded in the senatorial race. He ranked 15th in the final count with 11,306,655 votes.

This election saw the resounding loss of members of the Estrada political dynasty, with the patriach booted out of Manila City Hall. Estrada's granddaughter, Janella, was also defeated in San Juan mayoral race.