FORMER Senator JV Ejercito wants to be back in the Senate for his unfinished mission to make Universal Health Care law he principally authored work for all.
The former son of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada and half-brother of actor and senatoriable Jinggoy Estrada was here last week, visiting the city, not only to campaign, but to see his friends and City Mayor Baba Yap and first lady Jane Yap, who are his “linudhan” in wedding.
He said in media interview that he wanted to finish the said law, which is “a work in progress” while it’s already implemented though it’s still need changes.
Ejercito said he is instrumental in the construction of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Cortes town, where it is taking shape with “multi-year” budget and the Emilio del Valle Mmorial Hospital in Ubay town.
The said law is the putting up of heart, lung and kidney centers in Cebu city, so, those who have complicated ailment of these kind won’t have to go to Manila, anymore, for treatment, he said.
One of the salient features of the said law, he said, is that if one is a Filipino, he/she is automatic member of the PhilHealth. And if one who is a member of the PhilHealth and being confined in a hospital should have a “zero billing” provided for by the said law, he said.
And he admitted that this health law is “ambitious.”
Another plan, if elected to the senate anew, is that he wanted to be a principal sponsor of a bill to make the housing authority agency into a regular department to be called human settlement.
The said plan looks like the department of human settlement then chaired by first lady Imelda Marcos during the late President Ferdinand Marcos’s reign.
Ejercito, who is running as independent, is reportedly supported by Davao city Sara Duterte and endorsed by President Duterte. For this, he thanked the President and the daughter.
He said that he is hopeful that the city thru Mayor Yap the Jance Yap will throw support for his candidacy. And the response of the first city couple was positive.
He also expressed gratitude to the Boholanos for making him one in the magic 12 in the last elections, which he also hope in this May 9, 2022 elections. (rvo)
