MANILA - Reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito believes dropping the name Estrada negatively affected his poll ranking, but was hopeful that his "track record" will help him win a Senate seat anew in 2019.

Ejercito said the surname used by his father, former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, in his screen name as an actor, had more recall.

"The Estrada factor is working against me this time. Since I am using Ejercito and not Estrada, I don’t have the benefit of the name recall. I will just have to work harder," he told reporters.

Ejercito believes his track record in his 5 years as senator would pay off come 2019, despite not having the benefit of name recall like his half-brother former Senator Jinggoy Estrada.

"More importantly I don’t have a blemish on my track record as a public servant. Malinis ang pangalan at konsensya ko. That is more important," he said.

Ejercito only ranked 17th on the recent Pulse Asia survey, while Estrada ranked 7th. The pollster said the list represents individuals who "would have a statistical chance of winning" the elections.

• Women top 2019 senatorial survey: Pulse Asia

To drumbeat his popularity and solidify his reelectionist bid, Ejercito had himself adopted by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's party, "Hugpong ng pagbabago."

But what disappointed him was Duterte-Carpio's surprising public endorsement of Estrada in one of their public engagements together, as her preferred senatorial candidate.

Ejercito will soon be sworn in as the newest member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.