Senate Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito voiced his support on Saturday for expanding the Senate majority bloc, arguing that a larger coalition is necessary to ensure stability following a wave of leadership shakeups under the Marcos administration.
Ejercito pointed out that the current majority bloc, which consists of only 13 members, is too vulnerable to maintain consistent long-term stability in the upper chamber.
“Mas maganda sana (na tumaas ang bilang) kasi mahirap talaga. Napakanipis pa rin ng bilang,” the lawmaker said in a radio interview.
His remarks were in response to an earlier proposal by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to court members of the minority bloc to reinforce their ranks.
However, Ejercito clarified that formal talks with minority members have not yet taken place.
“Tingnan na lang natin as we go along.. Para mas maganda naman talaga, mas stable kung madadagdagan ang majority,” he added.
The 11-member minority bloc, currently headed by ousted Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, only has nine active members physically attending sessions due to legal troubles plaguing two of its lawmakers.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa went into hiding after the International Criminal Court confirmed an arrest warrant against him over the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, Ejercito’s half-brother, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, remains detained while facing plunder and graft charges before the Sandiganbayan over alleged flood control project anomalies.
Ejercito expressed hope that the chamber can finally move past internal political friction and focus on its legislative duties under the stewardship of Senate President Win Gatchalian.
“Marami pang dapat gawin, marami pang problemang kailangan na bigyan ng pansin sa ating bansa,” he said.
He admitted that the recent power struggles had visibly derailed the Senate’s legislative output.
“Nalungkot din kami sa mga pangyayari lately nung mga recent events na halos wala tayong nagawa at na-accomplish,” Ejercito said. “Sana nga po ay makabalik na tayo sa normal na makapagtrabaho na.”