Senator Jose Victor Ejercito has announced his candidacy for one of nine board seats at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong.

"I write to all of you to offer my service to our beloved club once again," said the senator in his open letter to Wack Wack members.

Eleven members, including eight incumbents, have joined the elections that would be held on 25 June.

'I want to be able to see and understand what every member needs and deserves.'

Among the current directors, only Eddie Gobing is not running for reelection. They are club president Lawrence Tan, vice-president Benjamin Abalos Sr., corporate secretary Victoriano Borromeo, Leana Carmona, Frederick Chan, Virgilio Co, Michael Ong and Pablo Soon.

Also throwing their hats into the ring are Justin Ongsue and Emiliano Sy.

Before he quit the board in 2021, Ejercito served as Wack Wack president.

During his tenure, the senator said he put himself in the shoes of members.

"I want to be able to see and understand what every member needs and deserves," he said.

Ejercito said they completed the renovation of the greens at the West course and the drainage system at the East.

Air conditioning units were installed in the function and locker rooms and the gym was improved, according to Ejercito.

"We were even named one of Asia's top courses by Golf Digest," he added.

Ejercito said he wants to restore the camaraderie forged during his time that contributed to the steady increase in the club's share value through the years.

"Sadly, things have changed, and not for the better. Gone are the days when the members feel comfortable and at home at the club," he lamented.

The senator claimed that the "mafia," who holds most of the proxies for elections, and the officers seem to treat the club as their playground.

"They have regular drinking sessions at the verandah and the Cork Members lounge bringing in food and drinks from outside," he alleged.

"I heard some reports that they treat the waiters, the employees, and the caddies as their servants. Most of the time when the president and his cohorts are drunk, they shout and treat those who serve them brashly."

Ejercito said this is conduct unbecoming. "This is unacceptable," he added.

The senator cited the deterioration of the West course even after the increase of golf fees for guests.

"As such, the organizers of the regular non-club tournament decided to hold their events elsewhere. This resulted in the club losing a lot in tournament guest fees, and potential income for concessionaires, and the general atmosphere of the club has somehow changed," he said.

Ejercito said members now have to shoulder the expenses and upkeep of the club with the higher monthly dues.

"This is contrary to the vision of Bill Shaw, our club's founder, of giving the chance for others to be able to play golf and enjoy the club," he stressed.

"The time for CHANGE is now! I know that the good members of our Club would like to recapture our glory days as one of the premier golf courses in Asia. We need to retake Wack Wack for the members. We need to bring back the FUN in Wack Wack!" Ejercito ended his letter.