Senate honors Joseph Estrada, Loi Ejercito for advocacy for the poor

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Tuesday co-sponsored a Senate resolution honoring former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and former Senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito for their significant contributions to public service and national development.

Senator Go paid tribute to Estrada’s long-standing advocacy for the poor, recalling his immense popularity and deep connection with the masses.

"Known as ‘Erap para sa Mahirap,’ naalala ko pa po noong 1998, nung nagkampanya sa Davao, dinudumog po ito si President Erap at talagang makamasa. At dun ko napatunayan na malapit po siya sa masa,” he said.

(Known as 'Erap para sa Mahirap,' I still remember in 1998, when he campaigned in Davao, President Erap was mobbed and truly got involved. That's when I realized that he was close to the masses.)

Go highlighted Estrada’s legacy of uplifting the poor through social welfare programs, emphasizing the former leader’s passion for serving the underprivileged.

“Tulad ko po na ang bisyo ay magserbisyo, si dating Pangulong Joseph Ejercito Estrada ay isang tunay na makamasa—isang lider na nag-alay ng kanyang buhay sa paglilingkod sa mahihirap at inaapi,” Go stated.

(Like me, whose vice is to serve, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada was a true makamasa—a leader who dedicated his life to serving the poor and oppressed.)

The senator also recalled a personal encounter with Estrada in 2019, expressing his gratitude for being welcomed at Manila City Hall.

"Maraming salamat din po, Mayor President noong 2019, sa inyong pagtanggap sa akin sa inyong opisina sa City Hall ng Maynila," he said.

(Thank you very much, Mayor President in 2019, for welcoming me to your office at the City Hall of Manila.)

Beyond politics, Estrada was also a key figure in Philippine cinema. Go underscored the former president’s role in establishing the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), an institution that continues to support the local film industry. Go further praised Estrada’s enduring influence on governance, noting that his legacy continues through his sons.

In addition to honoring Estrada, Senator Go also co-sponsored the resolution commending former Senator Loi Ejercito for her invaluable contributions to the country.