in 2001, he became the chief of staff of then senator and former first lady luisa pimentel-estrada, wife of former president joseph ejercito estrada and spokesperson of puwersa ng masa before running for congress in a controversial 2004 election. during the campaign, he was upset by governor erineo "ayong" maliksi, who was a fellow member of partido magdalo, because of his support of then mayor of silang, cavite ruben madlangsakay, who ran as independent for congressman. he won as congressman in the district more than two years after the death of his predecessor, napoleon r. beratio.