MANILA- Reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito is planning to include his father's surname "Estrada" when he files his certificate of candidacy for senator for the 2019 elections.

Ejercito, who admitted having problems with name recall, said he plans to use "Estrada" as a nickname.

"Isasama ko ang 'Estrada.' Yung legal name Ejercito, Joseph Victor, nickname [is] JV Estrada," he told reporters Thursday.

(I will include 'Estrada.' My legal name will be Ejercito, Joseph Victor but my nickname is JV Estrada.)

In the past, Ejercito said his father, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada, had also advised him to use "Estrada" for better recall.

The reelectionist senator is facing a possible clash with his half-brother, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada in the upcoming midterm elections.

The younger Estrada, who is out on bail for graft charges, performed better in a recent survey on preferred senatorial candidates.

Estrada ranked 7th in the said Pulse Asia survey while Ejercito only ranked 17th.

• Jinggoy may be hurting JV's chances for reelection: Pulse Asia

Ejercito previously said he hopes that only of them will run for a Senate seat next year. Jinggoy, however, said their father has no problem with having both sons running for public office.

• JV hopes to avoid clash with Jinggoy in 2019 Senate race
• Jinggoy says dad Erap has no problem if he, JV run for Senate in 2019

On Wednesday, Ejercito bolted his father's political party Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, and took oath as a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC).

• JV Ejercito leaves father Erap's party, takes oath as NPC member

-report from Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News