Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejército born October 5, 1963, commonly known
as ER Ejercito and popularly known by his official
on-screen names Jorge Estregan,
is a Filipino actor and was the Governor
of Laguna. Prior to his election as governor, he previously
served as mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna.[1] He is the son of actor George Estregan and the nephew of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. On May 27, 2014, the Commission on Elections unseats Ejercito after
alleged overspending during the campaign for the 2013
midterm elections,[2]
The Supreme Court upheld Commission
on Election’s decision removing Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito from
his post after he was found guilty of election overspending during the 2013
midterm elections. In a unanimous decision, the high court denied the petition filed
by Ejercito and affirmed the decision of the Comelec’s first division unseating
Ejercito for violating the Omnibus Election Code.
Ejercito asked
the high court to reverse the decision of the Comelec citing grave abuse of
discretion for disqualifying him based only on a mere request and not a
complaint to initiate a criminal proceeding.
The Comelec assumed that the case was for his disqualification contrary to
Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, Ejercito said.[3]
Section 68 of the
Omnibus Election Code requires that “a party is declared by final decision of a
competent court guilty of or found by the Commission of …spent in his election
campaign an amount in excess of that allowed by this Code…shall be disqualified
from continuing as a candidate or if he has been elected, from holding the
office.”[4]
The Comelec held that Ejercito spent up to P23,563,365.28 for
his campaign despite that he is only authorized to spend P4,576,566 or P3 for
every voter registered voter in his province.[5] Ejercito was found to paid P6 million for one television
advertisement contract to further his gubernatorial campaign in 2013.[6]
Laguna Vice-Governor Ramil Hernandez was sworn in on
Tuesday as governor of Laguna province replacing ER Ejercito.[7]
Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito expressed his anger toward President Benigno Aquino III for what he said was unfair treatment that he and his relatives have been getting from him just because they belong to the opposition. "Masyado nang malalim ang atraso ng mga Aquino sa mga Ejercito. Tinanggal na ni Cory (Aquino, former president and Benigno's mother) si Erap bilang mayor at presidente. Ngayon naman, tinanggal ako saka si Sen. Jinggoy. Selective justice. Bakit ang mga taga-Liberal Party, hindi nila ginagalaw? Bakit puro taga-oposisyon?" he said. [8]
Election in the Philippines is really a big deal for
many politicians, they will do whatever it takes to be elected in the position
they desire, for what? public service or for an exchange of a lot of money? This case must be a lesson for
all of the politicians that you can never use money in order for you to be elected
as an official.
[1] Martinez-Belen, Crispina
(2011-03-01). "ER Ejercito
is 'El Presidente'". The Manila Bulletin
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_Ejercito
[3] http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/652749/sc-affirms-er-ejercitos-disqualification
[4] Section 68
of the Omnibus Election Code
[5]
Id.
[6] Rouchelle R. Dinglasan and Amita
Legaspi/KBK/RSJ/NB, GMA News
[7] http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/05/27/14/er-ejercito-out-laguna-governor
[8] Rose-An Jessica
Dioquino/KG, GMA News
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