EJERCITOS v. AQUINOS: The Rant of a Guilty Man

ER Ejercito, born Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito, came from a long line of actors and politicians. His father was Jeorge Estregan, a popular villain in movies. His uncle is the former president and current Manila mayor, Joseph Ejercito Estrada. His wife and cousins also hold positions in the government. He also enjoyed the fame of both worlds, starring in different roles in movie and television, (the most recent being the remake of Asiong Salonga), and at the same time serving as mayor of Pagsanjan and eventually Laguna governor until his disqualification this year.

According to the COMELEC, Ejercito violated Sec. 68 (c ) of the Omnibus Election Code which provides that:

Sec. 68. Disqualifications. - Any candidate who, in an action or protest in which he is a party is declared by final decision of a competent court guilty of, or found by the Commission of having

a) xxxx

b) xxxx

c) spent in his election campaign an amount in excess of that allowed by this Code;

d) xxxx

e) xxxx, shall be disqualified from continuing as a candidate, or if he has been elected, from holding the office.xxxx

As a candidate for the gubernatorial position, he is only allowed to spend P3.00 per voter or a total of P4, 576,566.00, but he spent up to P23,563,365.28 during the 2013 midterm election. Ejercito was found to have paid P6 million for one television advertisement contract to further his gubernatorial campaign in 2013.[1]

From the clear and simple words of the provision, Ejercito should be disqualified as found by the SC, affirming the Comelec’s judgment.

Ejercito now claims unfair treatment from the Aquino Administration. He alleged that the Ejercitos are being singled out by the Aquinos (late former Pres. Cory Aquino and Pres. Aquino III). He further claims that its not just the Ejercitos but the entire opposition that is being targeted by this selective justice, that allies of the president are left untouched. He added that he would like to see Pres. Aquino III go to jail, but didn't give reason for saying such.[2]

Having no proof of such allegation, Ejercito should have never accused anyone of anything. It only bolsters his guilt, frustrated that he was found out and there is no other way to go down than to drag others with him. Clear are the words of the provisions he violated - his expenditure during the 2013 midterm election was in excess of what is allowed by the Code. Being found with sufficient evidence that he, indeed, violated the election rules, what is left for him to do is to accept defeat honorably and take his chance on the next election, making sure to do the right thing this time.





[1] SC affirms ER Ejercito’s Disqualification, Tetch Torres-Tupas, http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/652749/sc-affirms-er-ejercitos-disqualification , last accessed December 12, 2014

[2] ER Ejercito cries foul over ‘unfair’ treatment of Aquino administration, Rose-An Jessica Dioquino, http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/390492/news/nation/er-ejercito-cries-foul-over-unfair-treatment-of-aquino-administration, last accessed December 12, 2014