JV, Jinggoy chat over salad, fish

MANILA, Philippines - Over a light dinner of salad and fish, former President Joseph Estrada made his bickering sons – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and San Juan City Rep. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito – kiss and make up on Sunday night.

The reconciliation meeting was called by Estrada on Friday and was held somewhere in San Juan City on Sunday.

“He (Estrada) told us that he’s already 75 years old. Our grandfather died at, I think, 79. One of our aunts died at 78. So he said we (JV and Jinggoy) might be hastening his demise if we continue to quarrel,” JV told The STAR in a telephone interview.

“So for the sake of our Dad, we agreed not to bicker,” he said.

JV, who is running for senator under his father’s party, said the meeting took place in the house of a friend.

JV is the half-brother of the senator. The two last week figured in a public spat after JV said he was not “chummy” with his half-brother. He however said his statement was only in response to a question by a reporter.

In apologizing, JV referred to Jinggoy as his “kuya (elder brother).”

“I believe both of us love our father. That is why, on my part, I will always try to bridge the gap that separates us, considering our family’s circumstances. I’m sure my Kuya Jinggoy will reciprocate the effort,” he said.

The patriarch Estrada confirmed getting Jinggoy and JV together over dinner on Sunday.

He said the two cleared the air on the issue that almost ripped their relationship as brothers.

Estrada said patching up Jinggoy and JV’s “petty quarrel did not take long.

“I told them that everyday, the two of you must always be forgiving to each other if one of you committed mistakes against the other. Not only for your love to your Daddy, but for the people that you are now serving,” Estrada said in his advice to his two squabbling sons during their meeting on Sunday.

Estrada said that after dinner, JV managed to explain his side to Jinggoy.

“They patched it up. JV told Jinggoy that he did not say anything about sibling rivalry. He told Jinggoy that he is not also competing with him. And Jinggoy accepted it,” Estrada said.– Jose Rodel Clapano, Christina Mendez