| Estrada sons reconcile in ‘emotional moment’ MANILA, Philippines -- If there was any light at the end of a dark tunnel for former president Joseph Estrada after he was convicted of plunder by an anti-graft court Wednesday, it was the reconciliation of his two sons. In an “emotional moment,” San Juan Mayor Jose Victor “JV” Ejercito said Thursday that he and Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada patched up their differences for the sake of their father. Ejercito was at the meeting of the United Opposition at the office of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay. "We will do anything for our father," said Ejercito, as he related that his father had sought the reconciliation with his brother moments after the Sandiganbayan handed down its verdict. "It was a very emotional moment. Nag-iyakan kaming dalawang magkapatid [My brother and I cried] but President Estrada remained very strong," said Ejercito. That “moment” lasted for about 10 minutes inside the court’s restroom, Ejercito said. Ejercito, Estrada's son by former actress Guia Gomez, and Senator Estrada by ex-senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, had a misunderstanding after Estrada supported his brother's opponent in the San Juan mayoralty race in the mid-term elections last May. The rift worsened when Senator Estrada told INQUIRER.net that he was invited by Ejercito to his wedding only on the day itself in June. "Sabi niya [Estrada] sa amin, kayong dalawa ang inaasahan kong magpatuloy ng laban kaya sana magkasundo na kayo [He said that he was counting on us to continue the fight that was why we should reconcile]. And you know we would do anything for our father," the San Juan mayor said. Estrada, an action star before becoming a president in 1998, was ousted in a military-backed popular uprising three years later following allegations of graft. On Wednesday, Estrada was convicted of plunder and was sentenced to reclusion perpetua or from 20 to 40 years imprisonment. ---------------- See story as posted in INQUIRER.net |
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