MANILA — Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday said the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada should not be interpreted as an attack on the Senate’s independence, stressing that the legal process must be allowed to proceed while the chamber continues its legislative work.

In a radio interview, Ejercito said he was saddened by the arrest of his brother but emphasized that he also has a duty as an elected official to uphold accountability and respect the judicial process.

“Siyempre, nakakalungkot bilang kapatid. Kahit papano eh, kadugo ko ‘yan, ‘di lang kasamahan sa Senado (Of course, it is saddening as a brother. After all, he is my blood relative, not just a colleague in the Senate),” Ejercito said.

He added that the situation is difficult as it involves both family ties and public responsibility.

“Bagamat ako’y nalulungkot bilang colleague at pamilya, napakahirap timbangin dahil ako rin ay isang halal na lingkod-bayan. Meron tayong mandato na kailangan nating umusad ang batas para lumabas ang katotohanan (Although I am saddened as a colleague and family member, it is difficult to weigh because I am also an elected public servant. We have a mandate to allow the law to move forward so the truth can come out),” he said.

Ejercito said the courts should determine Estrada’s guilt or innocence, adding that the legal process allows the accused to present his defense.

“Sa huli, siyempre ang kailangan natin ay manaig ang hustisya dahil pinag-uusapan dito ay accountability at pera ng taong bayan. Ang korte na po ang magde-determine niyan (In the end, of course, justice must prevail because what is involved here is accountability and the people’s money. The court will determine that),” he said.

He also said the minority bloc viewed Monday’s disruption in Senate sessions not as an issue of institutional independence but as a boycott following Estrada’s arrest.

Ejercito said minority senators were present at the session hall at 5 p.m. and waited until nearly 7 p.m., but members of the majority bloc did not appear.

“Nagulat din kami sa minority na hindi po sumipot ang mga member ng majority kahapon (We in the minority were also surprised that members of the majority did not show up yesterday),” he said.

He added that Senate work should have continued given the limited session days remaining before adjournment, noting pending bills, naturalization measures for Gilas Pilipinas players, and Commission on Appointments confirmations, including those for Armed Forces officials.

“Kawawa po sila. Sana po ito ang ating responsibilidad na mag-convene para po ma-confirm din (They would be pitiful. I hope we fulfill our responsibility to convene so they can also be confirmed),” he said.

Ejercito said the minority bloc intends to attend the remaining session days before adjournment on June 6, and urged colleagues to help restore public trust in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Senator Erwin Tulfo criticized the majority bloc’s absence from plenary sessions, saying senators are being paid from public funds and should not boycott legislative work.

“Nakakahiya po dyan, i-boycott. So hindi nyo kami papasok. Paano naman po ‘yung sweldo? So hindi ka papasok, sinisweldohan ka. Saan ka makakita naman ng gano’n sa democratic country (It is shameful to boycott. So you will not report for work. What about the salary? You do not report for work but you are still paid. Where do you see that in a democratic country)?” Tulfo said in a radio interview.

Tulfo added that grievances should be raised on the Senate floor rather than through a boycott that stalls legislative work.