'Heavyweights' support Sen. Ejercito's reelection bid

AN "all-star cast" of "heavyweight" showbiz celebrities, religious leaders, and prominent politicians is supporting the reelection bid of Senator JV Ejercito.

This was learned as Ejercito on Saturday thanked all his endorsers and supporters following his climb to the winning chart of senatorial candidates based on the latest surveys of Pulse Asia, which ranked him 9-15, and Social Weather Station, which placed him on the 12thspot.

"Ngayon pa lang, tauspuso nap o akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng sumuporta sa akin. Of course, to the Filipino people who believe in me, your trust always lifts my spirit and encourages me to go on despite my uphill battle in this election and makes me believe that we will overcome," Ejercito said in a statement.

Among those who have endorsed Ejercito were President Duterte, presidential daughter and current Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senators Manny "Pacman," Pacquiao, Migz Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Loren Legarda, Ralph Recto, and Panfilo Lacson.

"Of course, my father, Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" and my mother, San Juan City Mayora Guia Gomez, are 100 percent behind me. I always believe that politics is addition. So, I always welcome all the support and endorsement coming from the people," he said.

Among the local government officials backing Ejercito's candidacy are Batangas Mayor Vilma Santos-Recto, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, Leyte (4thDistirct) Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado, Northern Samar Governor Jun Ong, and Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez.

Showbiz personalities who are also supporting Ejercito include Gabby Conception, Vina Morales, Raymart Santiago, among others.

"Noong 2013, dinala ko sa Senado ang aking pangarap na 'Ginhawa ng Bayan.' Ang Universal Health Care Law at ang batas na magtatatag ng Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development ang dalawa sa katuparan ng pangarap na 'yan," Ejercito said.

He added: "Nais kong ipagpatuloy ang aking nasimulan para makamit ang matagal na nating inaasam na 'Ginhawa ng Bayan.'"

Ejercito also got the "thumbs up" of influential religious leaders like Brother Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name, and Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani.

"Sa tulong ng mga tao, marami hindi ko kilala pero lumalapit sa akin at sinasabi nila na iboboto nila ako, at sa awa ng Diyos, I believe that I will win," he said.