Joseph Estrada | |
|---|---|
 Estrada in 2016 | |
| 13th President of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 | |
| Vice President | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Preceded by | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| 9th Vice President of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998 | |
| President | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Preceded by | Salvador Laurel |
| Succeeded by | Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo |
| 26th Mayor of Manila | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019 | |
| Vice Mayor |
|
| Preceded by | Alfredo Lim |
| Succeeded by | Isko Moreno |
| 18thSecretary of the Interior and Local Government | |
| In office June 30, 1998 – April 12, 1999 | |
| President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Sonny Collantes (OIC) |
| Succeeded by | Ronaldo Puno |
| Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission | |
| In office 1992–1997 | |
| President | Fidel V. Ramos |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992 | |
| 14thMayor of San Juan | |
| In office August 5, 1969 – March 26, 1986 | |
| Vice Mayor | Pablo T. Angeles (1969–1975) |
| Preceded by | Braulio Santo Domingo |
| Succeeded by | Reynaldo San Pascual |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jose Marcelo Ejercito (1937-04-19)April 19, 1937 (age 88) Tondo, Manila, Philippines |
| Political party | PMP (since 1991) |
| Other political affiliations | |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 11 (incl.Jose Jr.,Joseph Victor,Jude andJuan Emilio | Jacob) |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Ejercito family,George Estregan (Brother) |
| Residence | Santa Mesa, Manila |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
| Profession | Businessman |
| Signature |  |
| Criminal information | |
| Criminal status | Pardoned on October 26, 2007 by PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Criminal charge | Plunder |
| Penalty | Reclusión perpetua |
| ||
|---|---|---|
Early political career Mayor ofSan Juan
Senator of the Philippines Vice President of the Philippines Political affiliations
Public image Post-Presidency Elections | ||
Joseph Ejercito EstradaKGCR ([ʔɛˌhɛːɾ.sɪˈtoʔɛsˈtɾaː.dɐ]; bornJose Marcelo Ejercito; April 19, 1937), also known by the nicknameErap,[1][a] is a Filipino politician and former actor who served as the 13thPresident of the Philippines from 1998 until his removal from office in 2001. He served as the 14thMayor of San Juan from 1969 to 1986, the ninth vice president underFidel V. Ramos from 1992 to 1998, and the 26thMayor of Manila from 2013 to 2019.His presidency was the third-shortest in Philippine history, afterEmilio Aguinaldo andSergio Osmeña.
Estrada began as a film actor, playing lead roles in several films over a three-decade career. He entered politics in 1969 as a mayor of San Juan, and was asenator from 1987 to 1992. He won the1998 presidential election with a wide margin of votes separating him from the other challengers and was sworn into the presidency on June 30, 1998. In 2000, hedeclared an "all-out-war" againstMoro Islamic Liberation Front andcaptured its headquarters and other camps.[2] Allegations of corruption spawned animpeachment trial in the Senate. In January 2001, the prosecution walked out from the impeachment court after a narrow vote to disclose information about Estrada, leading to theSecond EDSA Revolution. On January 20, Estrada was removed from office; his vice president,Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, assumed the presidency. He was the first chief executive in Asia to be formally impeached.[3] After his arrest on April 25, 2001, on charges of plunder, his supporters rallied and marched toMalacañang Palace and attempted to storm the premises inEDSA III.
In 2007, Estradawas sentenced by a special division of theSandiganbayan toreclusión perpetua under a charge of plunder for the embezzlement of theUS$80 million from the government but was later granted a pardon by the president and his former deputy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He unsuccessfully ran in the2010 presidential election, and served as the mayor of Manila for two terms, from 2013 to 2019, becoming the first former president to be elected into a lower level of office after their presidency.
Joseph Estrada was born as Jose Marcelo Ejercito at 8:25 pm on April 19, 1937 in his home inTondo, an urban district ofManila.[4] His family later moved to the wealthy suburb ofSan Juan, then a municipality in the province ofRizal. He belonged to a wealthy family and was the eighth of ten children of Emilio Ejercito Sr. (1899–1977) and his wife,Maria Marcelo (1906–2009). After graduating from theAteneo Elementary School in 1951, he was expelled during his second year of high school at Ateneo for defending his classmate, Mario Tiaoqui, who later becameEnergy Secretary under Estrada. Tiaoqui was bullied by a burly American named Patrick Hilton in the restroom. Both Estrada and Hilton were dismissed but later struck a friendship in school reunions.[5] Estrada graduated high school at theMapúa Institute of Technology (MIT), and during college, he enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the MIT to please his father. He would leave once again and transferred toCentral Colleges of the Philippines (CCP) College of Engineering but dropped out to pursue films.[6]
Estrada's first partner was his St. John's Academy schoolmate Mercedita "Ditas" Carmona, whom he began dating at the age of 15.[7][8] Estrada was alleged to have nearly lost his life defending himself against a knife attack in the mid-1950s, being rushed to theNorth General Hospital in Manila after the incident.[7]
In his twenties, he began a career as an actor, usually playing the role of the villain/antagonist. He adopted the stage name "Joseph Estrada", as his mother objected to his chosen career and his decision to quit schooling multiple times. He also acquired the nickname "Erap" (a play on the Tagalog slang "pare", meaning 'buddy') from his friend, fellow actorFernando Poe Jr.
Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over a hundred films in an acting career spanning some three decades.
In 1974, Estrada founded theMovie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund), which helps filmmakers through medical reimbursements, hospitalization, surgery and death benefits, livelihood, alternative income opportunities, and housing. Its educational arm, the Mowelfund Film Institute, has produced some of the most skilled and respected producers, filmmakers, writers, and performers in both the independent and mainstream sectors of the industry since its inception in 1979.[9] He also founded, together withGuillermo de Vega, the firstMetro Manila Film Festival in 1975.[10]
Estrada entered politics in 1967, running for mayor ofSan Juan, failing and only succeeding in 1969 after winning an electoral protest against Braulio Sto. Domingo.[4] His administration achieved many infrastructure developments. These included the establishment of the first Municipal High School, the Agora complex, a modern slaughterhouse, a sprawling government center with a post office, a mini-park, and the paving of 98 percent of the town's roads and alleys.[citation needed]
As mayor, he paid particular attention to the elementary education of children by improving and renovating school buildings, constructing additional school structures, health centers, barangay halls, and playgrounds in all barangays, and providing artesian wells to areas with low water supply. He relocated some 1,800 squatter families out of San Juan toTaytay, Rizal, at no cost. He was also the first mayor to computerize the assessment of the Real Estate Tax at the Municipal Assessor's Office.[11] WhenCorazon Aquino assumed the presidency in 1986, all elected officials of the local government were removed and replaced by appointed officers-in-charge, including Estrada[citation needed]
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In 1987, Estrada won a seat in theSenate under the Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD) placing 14th in the elections (out of 24 winners).[4] He was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Public Works. He was Vice-Chairman of the Committees on Health, Natural Resources and Ecology, and Urban Planning.[12]
In the Senate, Estrada sponsored bills on irrigation projects and the protection and propagation of thecarabao, the beast of burden in the rural areas.[4]
Estrada and eleven other senators (dubbed the "Magnificent 12" in media coverage) voted to terminate the RP-US Military Bases Agreement in 1991, leading to the withdrawal of American servicemen from theClark Air Base in Pampanga and theSubic Naval Base in Zambales.[13]
In 1989, theFree Press cited him as one of the Three Outstanding Senators of the Year. He was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa by the University of Pangasinan in 1990,[4] and by the Bicol University in April 1997.[citation needed]
In 1992, Estrada initially ran for president under thePartido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), with Vicente Rivera Jr. as his running mate and fellow actorFernando Poe Jr. as his campaign manager.[14] The Philippine film industry called for a 60-day "moratorium" on all film projects by March for industry figures to help Estrada's presidential campaign.[15] However, Estrada reluctantly withdrew his bid on March 30 due to financial issues and instead became the running mate ofEduardo Cojuangco Jr. under theNationalist People's Coalition; Estrada expressed that the decision was "very painful, if not traumatic".[16] Though Cojuangco lost to former National Defense SecretaryFidel V. Ramos for the presidency, Estrada won the vice-presidency garnering more votes than his closest opponentMarcelo Fernan,Ramon Mitra Jr.'s running mate.
As vice president, Estrada was the chair of President Ramos' Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC). Estrada arrested criminal warlords and kidnapping syndicates.[17] He repeatedly topped surveys on government officials' performance conducted by theSocial Weather Stations within his first two years as vice president and was named "Man of the Year" byABS-CBN for 1993.[18] He resigned as chair in 1997.
In the same year Estrada, together with former presidentCorazon Aquino, CardinalJaime Sin, SenatorGloria Macapagal Arroyo, and other political leaders, led an anti-charter change rally that brought in an estimated half a million people toRizal Park against thecharter change moves by Ramos and his supporters.[19]
In early 1993, Estrada established Club 419 (later the International Business Club) in Cafe Ysabel withinSan Juan as a private men's club for him and his friends, including Poe.[20][21]
| Presidential styles of Joseph Ejercito Estrada | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | His Excellency |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Alternative style | Mr. President |
On June 30, 1998, Estrada took his oath of office at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan. He also gave his inaugural address at the Quirino Grandstand where he promised to bring peace and harmony to the people and pledged to fight corruption and continue the economic reforms of the previous Ramos administration. The elected vice-president was Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the Lakas–NUCD.[22]
"Erap Para sa Mahirap" became the campaign slogan of the presidency. He drove his election campaign vehicle JEEP, which meant Justice, Economy, Environment, and Peace.[22]
Estrada was the first president to use a special name as his official address name, combining his real family name, Ejercito, with his screen name, thus forming "Joseph Ejercito Estrada".[23] Estrada was inaugurated on June 30, 1998, in the historical town ofMalolos inBulacan province in paying tribute to the cradle of theFirst Philippine Republic. That afternoon the new president delivered his inaugural address at theQuirino Grandstand inLuneta. He assumed office amid theAsian Financial Crisis and with agricultural problems due to poor weather conditions, thereby slowing the economic growth to −0.6% in 1998 from 5.2% in 1997.[24] The economy recovered by 3.4% in 1999 and 4% in 2000.[25] In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against theMoro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and captured its headquarters and other camps.[2][26] Allegations of corruption[27] spawned a railroadedimpeachment trial in the Senate courtesy of house speakerManuel Villar, and in 2001 Estrada was ousted by a coup after the trial was aborted.
In his inaugural address, Estrada said:
One hundred years after Kawit, fifty years after independence, twelve years after EDSA, and seven years after the rejection of foreign bases, it is now the turn of the masses to experience liberation. We stand in the shadow of those who fought to make us free – free from foreign domination, free from domestic tyranny, free from superpower dictation, free from economic backwardness.[28]
During the Ramos administration a cessation of hostilities agreement was signed between the Philippine government and the MILF in July 1997. This was continued by a series of peace talks and negotiations in Estrada administration.[26] The MILF, an Islamic group based in formed in 1977, seeks to be an independent Islamic state from the Philippines, and, despite the agreements, a sequence of terrorist attacks on the Philippine military and civilians still continued.[26] These included the kidnapping of a foreign priest, namely Father Luciano Benedetti; the destruction by arson of Talayan, Maguindanao's municipal hall; the takeover of the Kauswagan Municipal Hall; thebombing of the M/V Our Lady of Mediatrix ferry atOzamiz City; and the takeover of the Narciso Ramos Highway. By doing so, they inflicted severe damage on the country's image abroad, and scared much-needed investments away. For this reason, onMarch 21, 2000, Estrada declared an "all-out war" against the MILF.
During the war theCatholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked Estrada to negotiate aceasefire with the MILF, but Estrada opposed the idea arguing that a ceasefire would cause more terrorist attacks. For the next three months of the war, Camp Abubakar, headquarters of the MILF, fell along with other 13 major camps and 43 minor camps, and then all of which became under controlled by the government. The MILF leader Hashim Salamat fled toMalaysia. The MILF later declaredajihad on the government. On July 10 of the same year, the Estrada went to Mindanao and raised the Philippine flag symbolizing victory. After the war Estrada said, "... will speed up government efforts to bring genuine and lasting peace and development in Mindanao". In the middle of July Estrada ordered the military to arrest top MILF leaders.[29]
In hisstate of the nation address (SONA), Estrada highlighted his vision for Mindanao:
In addition to this Estrada said his administration can move with more speed in transforming Mindanao into a progressive economic center.[1] High on the list of priorities was the plight of MILF guerrillas who were tired of fighting and had no camps left to which to report. On October 5, 2000, the first massive surrender of 669 LC-MILF mujahideen led by the renegade vice mayor of Marugong, Lanao del Sur Malupandi Cosandi Sarip and seven other battalion commanders, surrendered to Estrada at the 4th ID headquarters in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Bgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. They were followed shortly by a second batch of 855 surrenderees led by Lost command MILF Commander Sayben Ampaso on December 29, 2000.[2]
By the end of Estrada's administration, debt supposedly reached₱2.1 trillion in 1999. Domestic debt supposedly amounted to₱986.7 billion while foreign debt stood at US$52.2 billion. Thefiscal deficit had reportedly doubled to more than₱100 billion from a low of₱49 billion in 1998.[30][better source needed] Despite such setbacks, the GDP by 1999 posted a 3.2 percent growth rate, up from a low of −0.5 percent in 1998. Moreover, domestic investments started to increase from 18.8% of GDP in 1999 to 21.2% of GDP in 2000.[31] Unemployment stood at 10.4% under Estrada, compared to 11.2% during Arroyo's presidency and 9.3% during Ramos's presidency.[32]
In August 1998, Estrada signed the Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), which was drafted under President Fidel Ramos.[33] Estrada, on December 28, 2000, signed theRome Statute establishing theInternational Criminal Court.[34]
There were 26 reported cases ofenforced disappearances during the Estrada presidency.[35]
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In October 2000,Ilocos Sur governorLuis "Chavit" Singson, a close friend of Estrada, alleged that he had personally given Estrada ₱400 million as the payoff fromjueteng, a grassroots-based numbers game, hidden in a bank account known as "Jose Velarde", as well as ₱180 million from the government price subsidy for the tobacco farmers' marketing cooperative after Estrada ordered a full-blown investigation into Chavit Singson's alleged misuse of millions of pesos in public funds. Cockfighting magnateAtong Ang, a marketing consultant for thePhilippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and a close associate of Estrada,[36] was also accused by Singson of acting as an intermediary in Estrada's transactions involving money from jueteng.[37]
In the 2004 Global Transparency Report byTransparency International, Estrada, together withFerdinand Marcos, made it into the list of the World's All-Time Most Corrupt Leaders in the World. Estrada was listed tenth and was said to have amassed between $78 million to $80 million.[38]
Singson's allegation caused controversy across the nation, which culminated in the House of Representatives' filing of an impeachment case against Estrada on November 13, 2000. House SpeakerManny Villar fast-tracked the impeachment complaint. The motion to impeach Estrada was endorsed by 115 Congress representatives, which is more than one-third minimum required votes to impeach Estrada.[39] The impeachment suit was brought to the Senate and an impeachment court was formed, with Chief JusticeHilario Davide Jr. as presiding officer. Estrada pleaded "not guilty".
This was the first time the Filipino public witnessed, through radio and television, an elected president stand in trial and face possible impeachment with full media coverage. During the trial, the prosecution presented witnesses and alleged pieces of evidence to the impeachment court regarding Estrada's alleged involvement in jueteng. The existence of secret bank accounts which he allegedly used for receiving payoffs was also brought to the fore.
On the evening of January 16, 2001, the impeachment court voted not to open an envelope that allegedly contained incriminating evidence against Estrada as it was not part of the impeachment complaint. The final vote was 11–10 to keep the envelope closed.[40] The prosecution panel (of congressmen and lawyers) walked out of the impeachment court in protest of this vote.[41] The 11 senators who voted not to open the envelope are known as the "Craven Eleven."
That night, anti-Estrada protesters gathered in front of theEDSA Shrine atEpifanio de los Santos Avenue, not too far away from the site of the 1986People Power Revolution that overthrew President Ferdinand Marcos.
On January 19, 2001, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of StaffAngelo Reyes, seeing the political upheaval throughout the country, decided to "withdraw his support" of Estrada and pay his allegiance to the vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[42]
The following day, the Supreme Court declared the presidency vacant even without Estrada's resignation.[43] At noon, Vice PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in by Chief JusticeHilario Davide Jr. as president of the Philippines. Before Estrada departed fromMalacañang, he issued the following press release:
At twelve o'clock noon today, Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took her oath as President of the Republic of the Philippines. While along with many other legal minds of our country, I have strong and serious doubts about the legality and constitutionality of her proclamation as President, I do not wish to be a factor that will prevent the restoration of unity and order in our civil society.
It is for this reason that I now leave Malacañang Palace, the seat of the presidency of this country, for the sake of peace and to begin the healing process of our nation. I leave the Palace of our people with gratitude for the opportunities given to me for service to our people. I will not shirk from any future challenges that may come ahead in the same service of our country.
I call on all my supporters and followers to join me in to promotion of a constructive national spirit of reconciliation and solidarity.
May the Almighty bless our country and beloved people.Mabuhay![44]
The Supreme Court on March 2, 2001, upheld the constitutionality of Arroyo succeeding Estrada in a unanimous 13–0 decision in Estrada vs. Desierto.[45]
After being ousted from the presidency, Estrada returned to his family home in San Juan.
On April 25, 2001, theSandiganbayan charged him and his sonJinggoy with plunder and had them arrested. His supporters marched to theEDSA Shrine to stage a protest demanding Estrada's release and his reinstatement as president, among whom were his wifeLoi Ejercito and political allies such asJuan Ponce Enrile,Panfilo Lacson,Gringo Honasan andMiriam Defensor Santiago. In the early morning of May 1, supporters of Estrada marched straight to the gates ofMalacañang Palace, where violence erupted and forcing President Arroyo to declare astate of rebellion.[46] Many protesters were injured in the ensuing riots and arrested, with four casualties, while many journalists were also injured due in part to the protesters' general hostility to the media.[47][48] The government called out the military and was able to quell the riots with tear gases and warning shots under a "maximum tolerance" policy.[49] The riots came to be generally known asEDSA III, though others have argued against the use of the name.
Estrada was initially detained at theVeterans Memorial Medical Center inQuezon City and then transferred to a military facility inTanay, Rizal,[1] but he was later transferred to a nearby vacation home, virtually under house arrest. Under Philippine law at the time, plunder had the maximum penalty of death; the death penalty was eventually repealed by 2006.
On September 12, 2007, the Sandiganbayan gave its decision, finding Estrada not guilty in his perjury case but guilty of plunder "beyond reasonable doubt". He was sentenced toreclusión perpetua. He was thus the first Philippine president to be convicted of plunder.[1]
On September 26, 2007, Estrada appealed by filing a 63-page motion for reconsideration of theSandiganbayan judgment penned byTeresita de Castro (submitting five legal grounds).[2][3] Estrada alleged that the court erred "when it convicted him by acquitting his alleged co-conspirators."[4]
On October 5, 2007, the Sandiganbayan's Special Division ruled to set October 19 as anoral argument (instead of a defense reply) on Estrada's motion for reconsideration. Estrada asked for the court's permission to attend the hearing, since it ordered the prosecution to file a comment before October 11.[5]
TheSandiganbayan's special division, on June 27, 2008, ordered Estrada to file a comment within 10 days, on the motion of the Ombudsman's special prosecutor to re-open the trial of hisperjury case regarding his 1999statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). The court was also to resolveBanco de Oro's (formerly Equitable PCI Bank) plea that it could not determine "without hazard to itself" whom to turn over to the P1.1 billion Jose Velarde assets due to claims by Wellex Group / William Gatchalian and aBureau of Internal Revenue stay order.[50]
On October 22, 2007, Acting Justice SecretaryAgnes Devanadera stated that Estrada was seeking a "full, free, and unconditional pardon" from President Arroyo.[51] Estrada's lawyer Jose Flaminiano wrote Arroyo: "The time has come to end President Estrada's fight for justice and vindication before the courts. Today [Monday], we filed a withdrawal of his Motion for Reconsideration." Estrada stressed the "delicate condition" of his mother in asking for pardon.[52][53]
On October 25, 2007, President Arroyo grantedexecutive clemency to Estrada based on the recommendation by the Department of Justice (DoJ). Acting Executive Secretary and Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye quoted the signed Order: "In view hereof in pursuant of the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant Executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada, convicted by the Sandiganbayan of plunder and imposed a penalty of reclusión perpetua. He is hereby restored to his civil and political rights."[54] Bunye noted that Estrada committed in his application not to seek public office,[55] and he would be free from his Tanay resthouse on October 26, at noon. On October 26, 2007, after almost seven years of detention, Estrada was released after theSandiganbayan promulgated the resolution.[56]
When Estrada was released from detention, he gave a message to the Filipino people that he could once again help the lives of the people, especially the poor. He also stated that he made errors as a public servant but assured them that, notwithstanding his conviction for it, corruption was not one of them. After the message was released, he had a nationwide tour called "Lakbay Pasasalamat"[57][58] (Thank you tour) during which he thanked the people for their support and gave them relief goods such as food, medicines and clothing.[11][59][60]
During the 2010 presidential election, Estrada stated in interviews that he would be willing to run for the opposition if they would be unable to unite behind a single candidate.[61] Fr.Joaquin Bernas andChristian Monsod, members of the constitutional commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution, stated that the constitution prohibited any elected president from seeking a second term at any point in time.[62] Romulo Macalintal, election counsel of President Arroyo, said that the constitutional ban did not prevent Estrada from attaining the presidency if he were to be elevated from the vice-presidency, for example.[63] Rufus Rodriquez, one of Estrada's lawyers, claimed that Estrada was within his rights to do so because the prohibition banning re-election only applied to the incumbent president.[61]
On October 22, 2009, Estrada announced that he would run again for president withMakati MayorJejomar Binay as his running mate.[64] His senatorial lineup includedFrancisco Tatad,Juan Ponce Enrile,Jinggoy Estrada,Joey de Venecia, andMiriam Defensor Santiago.[65] Estrada lost to SenatorBenigno Aquino III in the election.[66]
In 1972, Estrada starred inBlood Compact.
In October 2010, the magazineForeign Policy included Estrada in its list of five former heads of states/governments who did not make "a positive difference in the world", but "faded away into obscurity." Also included in this "Bad Exes" list were Thailand'sThaksin Shinawatra, Spain'sJose Maria Aznar, and Germany'sGerhard Schroder.[67]
Estrada announced in November 2010 that he would be selling his 3,000-square-meter (32,000 sq ft) home in San Juan for about₱200 million to pursue his real estate business.[68]Agence France Presse reported that Estrada "has put up two high-rise residential condominium buildings and plans to build a third soon."[69]
Estrada plans that his remains will be buried in the grounds of the Joseph Ejercito Estrada Museum and Archives[70] in Tanay, Rizal. This was revealed by his son,Jinggoy Estrada, in a YouTube video in 2020.[71] The burial place was built near a rock where the former president frequently prays in his former resthouse, which became the location of his house arrest after his presidency.
In May 2012, Estrada announced his intention to run forMayor of Manila in the2013 elections to continue his political career.[72]
Around noon of May 14, 2013, the day after the conduct of the2013 Philippine mid-term elections, Estrada and his running-mate and re-electionist Vice MayorFrancisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso were proclaimed mayor-elect and vice mayor-elect, respectively, by the City Board of Canvassers for the City of Manila. When Estrada assumed office on June 30, 2013, the city government coffers were practically bankrupt as his administration inherited as much as₱5 or 8 billion in debts.[73] During his first term as mayor of Manila, Estrada implemented a city-wide bus ban,[74] truck ban,[75][76] and revival program especially onEscolta Street.[77] In 2015, Estrada declared the city debt-free after instituting various fiscal reforms.[78]
Originally planning to serve for one term only,[79] he changed his mind and ran for reelection in2016.[80] This time, his running mate was former4th District Councilor and OIC - City Social Welfare Officer Dr.Honey Lacuna Pangan. Estrada won in a tight race over former Mayor Alfredo Lim by around 2,000 votes, while Lacuna was elected vice mayor as well.[81] Estrada best described his accomplishments as Mayor of Manila as having been able to provide the basic needs of Manileños “from womb to tomb.” He boasted of comprehensive public services from free hospital and medical care services to all residents of Manila starting from mothers giving birth, free books, uniforms, and health snacks for public school students, all the way to free burial and cremation.[73]
Estrada has also shown support for the controversial Manila Bay reclamation,[82] with the fourth reclamation project approved on June 7, 2017.[83] Estrada, however, was widely criticized for a publicity stunt at a clean-up drive inManila Bay on July 21, 2017.[84][85] On September 28, 2018, Estrada settled the city's₱200 million tax liabilities, left unpaid by former mayorsLito Atienza and Alfredo Lim, to theBureau of Internal Revenue.[78]
After serving two consecutive terms as mayor, Estrada intended to run for a third term in2019, competing against former Manila vice mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim; Estrada chose former5th District RepresentativeAmado Bagatsing as his running mate for vice mayor.[86] Estrada lost to Domagoso, who beat him by more than 100,000 votes in alandslide victory.[87] Estrada conceded defeat on the evening of May 13 and stepped down on June 30.[88]
San Juan mayoralty elections
Vice Presidential election, 1992:
Manila Mayoralty Elections 2013
Manila Mayoralty Elections 2016
Manila Mayoralty Elections 2019
Since the beginning of his political career, Estrada has been the butt of many jokes, called "ERAP Jokes", in the Philippines.[90] The majority of the jokes about him center around his limited English vocabulary, while others focus on his corruption scandals. During his presidential campaign in 1998, Estrada authorized the distribution of the joke compilation bookERAPtion: How to Speak English Without Really Trial.[91]
Estrada is the first president to have previously worked in the entertainment industry as a popular artist, and the first to sport any sort of facial hair during his term, specifically his trademark actingmustaches and wristbands.
Estrada is married to formerFirst Lady-turned-senator Dr.Luisa "Loi" Pimentel,[92] whom he met while she was working at theNational Center for Mental Health (NCMH) inMandaluyong, and has three children with her:
Due to Estrada's extramarital affair with actressGuia Gomez, Loi separated from Estrada and moved to the United States with their children for 18 years, with Estrada later stating that he "acted like a single man" during their separation.[94][95] Estrada and Loi were seen reunited again when he ran for senator in 1987.[94]
Estrada has eight children from several extramarital relationships.[96]
Estrada had a child withGuia Gomez namedJoseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, who would later become mayor of San Juan.[97] He had two children with former actress Peachy Osorio, named Joel/Jojo and Teresita/Tetchie.[98][99] He fathered a son named Jason with a former air hostess known only as Larena.[citation needed]
Estrada also had three children with former actressLaarni Enriquez: Jerika, Jacob, and actorJake Ejercito,[100][101] as well as one child with Joy Melendrez: Jose Mari.[102]
Several of Ejercito's relatives became prominent figures in politics and show business.
| Date | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sep 1998 | +60 |
| Nov 1998 | +61 |
| Mar 1999 | +67 |
| Jun 1999 | +65 |
| Oct 1999 | +28 |
| Dec 1999 | +5 |
| Mar 2000 | +5 |
| Jul 2000 | +13 |
| Sep 2000 | +19 |
| Dec 2000 | +9 |
| Average | +33 |
:Order of the Knights of Rizal – Knight Grand Cross of Rizal.[105]
Argentina:
Collar of theOrder of the Liberator General San Martín (20 September 1999)Na-first love siya sa isang babaing may ngalangDitas Carmona. He lost his virginity at 17. At 18, nasaksak siya sa pagtatanggol sa sarili at nag-aagaw-buhay na isinugod sa noo'y North General Hospital.
Fernando Poe, Jr., undisputed king of the local action movies and Estrada's campaign manager...
Estrada has consistently topped the Social Weather Station's (SWS) surveys on the performance of government officials in 1993.
Bahagya, ako [Arnold Clavio] nga hindi nakaligtas sa kanilang pagbabato't pananakit. Matindi ang kanilang galit.
[Noel] Cabrera said the Arroyo administration continues to implement "maximum tolerance" in allowing pro-Estrada rallyists to express their grievances.
We [Estrada and Guia Gomez] went out a few times and my wife, Loi, heard about it. My wife and I quarreled about this. In her anger, she left for the States with our three children[...]
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