MANILA, Philippines – Reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito is in favor of death penalty for those convicted of plunder.

“Dapat lang nang hindi na tularan at huwag nang maulit muli,” he said on Sunday, March 3, at ABS-CBN’s fourth “Harapan 2019” senatorial forum.

(It should be imposed so that no one will want to follow those who committed plunder and so that it won’t happen again.)

Ejercito’s half-brother, Jinggoy Estrada, is himself facing plunder charges over the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam. But he has been out on bail since 2017 because a Sandiganbayan division said the evidence so far does not point to him as the “main plunderer.”

Last February 22, Estrada started the process of seeking an outright dismissal of his P183-million plunder case. Estrada is again seeking a Senate seat and, like Ejercito, is part of the administration-allied Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) senatorial slate. (READ: In front of Erap, Sara Duterte tries to ease JV-Jinggoy tension)

Yes to term limits

Ejercito, unlike his fellow HNP candidate Imee Marcos, thinks term limits should continue to be imposed on elected government officials.

He was asked in the forum if he thinks such limits should not apply to officials who are good at their jobs.

“Kahit magaling, may hangganan din. 106 million ang Pilipino, marami ring may kakayahan. Dapat pagbigyan din natin ang bawat Pilipino,” he said.

(Even if they are competent, there must be a limit. There are 106 million Filipinos, many have abilities. We should give chances to every Filipino.) – Rappler.com