E. R. Ejercito

The Honorable
Emilio Ramon P. Ejercito III
The Honorable Emilio Ramon P. Ejercito III
17th Governor of Laguna
	In office; June 30, 2010 – May 27, 2014
Vice Governor	Caesar Perez (2010–2013); Ramil Hernandez (2013–2014)
Preceded by	Teresita Lazaro
Succeeded by	Ramil Hernandez
Mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna
	In office; June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Vice Mayor	Melvin Madriaga; (2001–2004); Crisostomo Vilar; (2004–2010)
Preceded by	Abner Afuang
Succeeded by	Girlie Javier-Ejercito
Personal details
Born	Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III; October 5, 1963 (age 61); San Juan, Rizal, Philippines
Political party	AKAY (2024–present)
Other political; affiliations	PFP (2018–2024); PDP–Laban (2016–2018); UNA (2012–2016); PMP (2001–2012)
Spouse	Girlie Javier-Ejercito (m. 1987; died 2024)
Relations	Mary Ejercito (grandmother); Joseph Estrada (uncle); Loi Ejercito (aunt); Gary Estrada (half-brother) ; Gherome Ejercito (half-brother)
Children	8
Parent(s)	George Estregan; Ramona Pelayo-Ejercito
Residence(s)	Calamba, Laguna; Pagsanjan
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA)
Occupation	Politician, actor

Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III (Tagalog: [ʔɛˌhɛːɾ.sɪˈto]; born October 5, 1963), commonly known as E. R. Ejercito,^[a] is a Filipino actor and former governor of Laguna from 2010 until his removal in 2014. Prior to his election as governor, he served as mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna, from 2001 until 2010.^[1] He is the son of actor George Estregan and the nephew of former President and former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Early life

Born Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III on October 5, 1963, in San Juan, then a municipality of Rizal province, to actor Jorgé Jesús Marcelo Ejercito (1939–1988) who went by the screen name George Estregan and Ramona Pelayo (1942–2020) from Ibajay, Aklan. He holds residence in Pagsanjan.

Education

He studied at La Salle Green Hills for his primary and secondary education. He then studied at the University of the Philippines Diliman for his college education and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Majoring in Advertising and Visual Communications.

Acting career

In 1989, Ejercito began using the screen name George Estregan Jr. and Jorge Estregan, taken after his father's screen name, starring in the film Eagle Squad. He later went on to use Jorge "E. R." Estregan in his later acting career.^[2]

Political career

He served as mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna from 2001 until 2010. He then ran for governor in 2010 and 2013. On May 27, 2014, the Commission on Elections unseated Ejercito after alleged overspending during the campaign for the 2013 midterm elections. Three days later, his uncle, Joseph Estrada, convinced him to step down. Despite the conviction, he attempted a comeback as governor in 2016 and 2019 but lost on both occasions to incumbent Ramil Hernandez.

On April 5, 2019, he was convicted and sentenced to 6 to 8 years in prison for graft over an anomalous insurance deal when he was mayor of Pagsanjan in 2008.^[3]^[4]^[5] The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on August 7, 2019, upheld its earlier ruling that also barred Ejercito from holding public office.^[3]^[6]

Despite his conviction^[7] and controversial transfer of residency,^[8] Ejercito ran for mayor of Calamba in 2022, but eventually lost to Roseller Rizal.^[9] He is seeking a comeback as mayor of Pagsanjan in 2025.^[10]

Personal life

Ejercito was married to actress-politician Maita Sanchez (Girlie Javier-Ejercito in real life) from 1987 until her death in 2024.^[11] They have eight children: Emilio Ramon IV (Eric), John Paul (Jet), Jorge Antonio Genaro (Jerico), Maria Guadalupe (Jhulia), Maria Angelica Victoria (died in 2004), an unnamed child (died in 2010), Juan Diego (Diego), and Maria Gabriela (Gabby).^[12]^[13] Three of their children also entered politics: Jerico unsuccessfully ran for vice governor of Laguna in 2022; Jhulia is a candidate for the Laguna Provincial Board from the 4th district in 2025; and Jet is running for councilor in Pagsanjan in 2025.^[10]

Organizations

Vice President – Knights of the Altar (1982–1987) Became Altar Boy of 5 years at St. John the Baptist Parish Church, San Juan City
Vice President – Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon (KAPPT) or Philippine Cinema & Television Actors Guild, Inc. (1999–2002)
Member – Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna
Member – Carpa Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna
National Presidential Adviser on Servant Leadership – The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippine Eagles (TFOEPE)^[14]

Television

Year	Title	Role
1985–1987	Heredero	recurring role
2000	IBC Headliners	news anchor
2021	FPJ'S Ang Probinsyano	guest cast
2023	Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis	Juancho "Kamao" Dehado a.k.a. Scarface
2023	Maging Sino Ka Man	Boss Frank

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role
1985	Mga Paru-Parrong Bukid	Senen's brother
1985	Haunted House	Unknown
1986	Bagets Gang
	Bukas ng Sabo Agi Buka sa Sabitan
	Kapitan Pablo: Cavite Killing Fields	Kapitan Pablo's son
1987	Humanda Ka, Ikaw ang Sumuko	Unknown
	Target: Sparrow Unit	Unknown
	Boy Tornado	Boy's friend
1988	Dongalo Massacre	Unknown
	Lost Command
	Tumayo Ka't... Lumaban
	Alega Gang: Public Enemy No.1 of Cebu	Alega Gang Member
	Ambush	Unknown
	Ang Supremo
	Kumander Dante
	Kumakasa... Kahit Nag-iisa
	Kamandag ng Dagat
1989	Alex Boncayao Brigade	Rudy
	Kontra Puwersa	Unknown
	Eagle Squad	Jet Espino
	Isang Bala, Isang Buhay	Ex-commando
	Bala... Dapat Kay Cris Cuenca (Public Enemy No.1 of Region 4)	Unknown
	Moises Platon
	Gapos Gang
1990	Kakampi Ko ang Diyos
	Asiong Salonga: Hari ng Tondo, 1950	Asiong Salonga
	Urbanito Dizon: The Most Notorious Gangster in Luzon	Apache Gang Member
	Ibabaon Kita sa Lupa	Unknown
	Hanggang Saan ang Tapang Mo?	Greg
	Hukom. 45	Unknown
	Hulihin si... Boy Amores	Unknown
	Alyas Pogi: Birador ng Nueva Ecija	Emilio Mallari (Air-Con Gang member)
	Inosente
1991	Leon ng Maynila: P/Col. Romeo B. Maganto, WPD-MPFF	Roger
	Mayor Latigo: Ang Barakong Alkalde ng Baras
	Captain Jaylo: Batas sa Batas	Dodong Sanggano
	OXO vs Sigue-Sigue	Unknown
1992	Eddie Tagalog: Pulis Makati	Unknown
1992	Task Force Habagat	Alfredo "Joey" de Leon
1993	Manila Boy	Ragoy's henchmen no.2
	Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig	Drug Pusher
	Manchichirichit	Unknown
	Bukas Tatakpan Ka ng Dyaryo	Unknown
1994	Epimaco Velasco, NBI	one of the Big-4 Man (cameo appearance)
1995	The Four Stooges	Stanley
	Hatulan: Bilibid Boys II	Unknown
	Ang Titser Kong Pogi	Emilio the backdiving thug
	Kahit Harangan ng Bala	Jigo Almonte
	Mano Mano	Unknown
1996	Balawis	Unknown
	Kristo	St.Matthew
	Batang Z	Unknown
	Bossing	Unknown
	Hagedorn	Totoy
	Totoy Hitman: Batas Ko ang Hahatol	Ismael "Mael" Rivero
1997	Extranghero	Dr. Ivan
	Pag-Ibig Ko sa Iyo'y Totoo	Mr. Diaz's son
	Babasaging Kristal	Unknown
	Yes Darling: Walang Matigas Na Pulis... 2	Kidnapper
1998	Tuloy! Bukas ang Pinto!	Unknown
	Ang Maton at ang Showgirl	Valdez
	Pakawalang Puso	Unknown
	Birador	Bank hold-up gang member
	Jesus Salonga, Alyas Boy indian	Unknown
	Cariño Brutal
	Notoryus
	Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng dibdib
	Hiwaga ng Panday
1999	Type Kita... Walang kokontra!	Tong
	Mamang Shotgun	Wilfredo
	Abel Villarama: Armado	Unknown
2000	Makamandag Na Bala	Unknown
2002	Huwag Mong Takasan ang Batas	Melchor
2009	Ang Panday	Apoykatawan
2010	Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote	Ragat
2011	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Nicasio "Asiong" Salonga
2012	This Guy's in Love with U Mare!	Unknown
2012	El Presidente	General Emilio Aguinaldo
2013	Boy Golden	Arturo "Boy Golden" Porcuna
2014	Muslim Magnum .357: To Serve and Protect	Lt. Jamal Razul
2023	Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin	Ferdinand Marcos
TBA	Malvar: Tuloy ang Laban	Emilio Aguinaldo
TBA	Oplan Exodus: SAF 44 – For God and Country	TBA

Awards

Year	Award-Giving Body	Category	Work	Result
2011	37th Metro Manila Film Festival^[15]^{[unreliable source?]}	Best Festival Actor	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Nominated
2011	37th Metro Manila Film Festival^[15]^{[unreliable source?]}	Male Sexiest Appeal Celebrity of the Night	–	Won
2012	GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards^[16]	Outstanding Government Service Award	–	Won
2012	28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Movie Actor of the Year (Best Actor)	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Won tied with (Aga Muhlach)
2012	28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Male Star with Radiant Skin	–	Won
2012	14th Gawad PASADO Awards	PinakaPasadong Aktor	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Won
2012	60th FAMAS Awards	Best Actor	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Won
2012	30th FAP Luna Awards	Best Actor	Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story	Won
2012	38th Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Festival Actor	El Presidente	Nominated
2013	29th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Movie Actor of the Year (Best Actor)	El Presidente	Won
	15th Gawad PASADO Awards	PinakaPasadong Aktor	El Presidente	Won
	61st FAMAS Awards	Best Actor	El Presidente	Won
	39th Metro Manila Film Festival	Best Festival Actor	Boy Golden: Shoot to Kill, the Arturo Porcuna Story	Nominated
2014	30th PMPC Star Awards for Movies	Movie Actor of the Year (Best Actor)		Nominated
2014	62nd FAMAS Awards	Best Actor		Won
2015	63rd FAMAS Awards	Best Actor	Magnum Muslim .357	Nominated

Notes

^ Also known by his official on-screen names Jorge Estregan (sometimes spelled Jeorge), George Estregan Jr. (sometimes spelled Jorge or Jeorge), and Jeorge "E. R." Ejercito Estregan (or simply Jeorge "E.R." Estregan).

References

^ Martinez-Belen, Crispina (March 1, 2011). "E.R. Ejercito is 'El Presidente'". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011.
^ Japitana, Norma (March 27, 1989). "The action at Viva". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 18. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Marcelo, Elizabeth (August 8, 2019). "Sandigan affirms ER Ejercito's conviction". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Chiu, Patricia Denise M. (April 6, 2019). "Ex-governor Ejercito convicted of graft". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Marcelo, Elizabeth (April 6, 2019). "ER Ejercito gets 8 years for graft". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Ki, Czarina Ong (August 7, 2019). "Sandiganbayan affirms graft conviction of ex-Laguna Gov. Ejercito". Manila Bulletin News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Gabinete, Jojo (October 1, 2021). "ER Ejercito, kakandidato bilang Calamba mayor; hindi natinag sa graft conviction" [ER Ejercito runs as Calamba mayor; unfazed by graft conviction]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Retrieved June 15, 2022.
^ Gabinete, Jojo (October 5, 2021). "Mag-asawang ER at Girlie Ejercito, tatakbong mayor sa magkaibang bayan sa Laguna" [The couple, ER and Girlie Ejercito, will run for Mayor in different towns in Laguna.]. PEP.ph (in Tagalog). Retrieved May 3, 2023.
^ "Rizal unseats Chipeco as new Calamba mayor". CNN Philippines. May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
^ ^a ^b PEP Troika (November 5, 2024). "ER Ejercito, idinetalye ang mga huling sandali ni Maita Sanchez". Philippine Enterainment Portal (in Filipino). Retrieved November 18, 2024.
^ Mallorca, Hannah (November 3, 2024). "Actress-politician Maita Sanchez, wife of ER Ejercito, dies at 55". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
^ Lando, Roy (March 23, 2020). "Girlie "Maita" Ejercito Biography - PeoPlaid Profile". PeoPlaid. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
^ Serato, Arniel (April 5, 2013). "ER Ejercito wishes "good health" and "kambal" for wife Maita". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Retrieved November 18, 2024.
^ Tomandao, Roy (July 7, 2021). "Fraternal eagles". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
^ "Metro Manila Film Festival:2011". IMDb. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
^ "Vice Ganda named Phenomenal Box-Office Star; Derek Ramsay is Box-Office King while Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes share Box-Office Queen title" Archived July 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph. Retrieved May 20, 2014.

External links

Jorge Estregan at IMDb

[1] Also known by his official on-screen names Jorge Estregan (sometimes spelled Jeorge), George Estregan Jr. (sometimes spelled Jorge or Jeorge), and Jeorge "E. R." Ejercito Estregan (or simply Jeorge "E.R." Estregan).

[2] Martinez-Belen, Crispina (March 1, 2011). "E.R. Ejercito is 'El Presidente'". The Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on March 2, 2011.

[3] Japitana, Norma (March 27, 1989). "The action at Viva". Manila Standard. Manila Standard News, Inc. p. 18. Retrieved June 22, 2021.

[:0-4] Marcelo, Elizabeth (August 8, 2019). "Sandigan affirms ER Ejercito's conviction". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2019.

[5] Chiu, Patricia Denise M. (April 6, 2019). "Ex-governor Ejercito convicted of graft". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved August 9, 2019.

[6] Marcelo, Elizabeth (April 6, 2019). "ER Ejercito gets 8 years for graft". The Philippine Star. Retrieved August 9, 2019.

[7] Ki, Czarina Ong (August 7, 2019). "Sandiganbayan affirms graft conviction of ex-Laguna Gov. Ejercito". Manila Bulletin News. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.

[8] Gabinete, Jojo (October 1, 2021). "ER Ejercito, kakandidato bilang Calamba mayor; hindi natinag sa graft conviction" [ER Ejercito runs as Calamba mayor; unfazed by graft conviction]. PEP.ph (in Filipino). Retrieved June 15, 2022.

[9] Gabinete, Jojo (October 5, 2021). "Mag-asawang ER at Girlie Ejercito, tatakbong mayor sa magkaibang bayan sa Laguna" [The couple, ER and Girlie Ejercito, will run for Mayor in different towns in Laguna.]. PEP.ph (in Tagalog). Retrieved May 3, 2023.

[10] "Rizal unseats Chipeco as new Calamba mayor". CNN Philippines. May 11, 2022. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2023.

[troika-11] PEP Troika (November 5, 2024). "ER Ejercito, idinetalye ang mga huling sandali ni Maita Sanchez". Philippine Enterainment Portal (in Filipino). Retrieved November 18, 2024.

[12] Mallorca, Hannah (November 3, 2024). "Actress-politician Maita Sanchez, wife of ER Ejercito, dies at 55". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved November 3, 2024.

[13] Lando, Roy (March 23, 2020). "Girlie "Maita" Ejercito Biography - PeoPlaid Profile". PeoPlaid. Retrieved July 31, 2024.

[14] Serato, Arniel (April 5, 2013). "ER Ejercito wishes "good health" and "kambal" for wife Maita". Philippine Entertainment Portal (in Filipino). Retrieved November 18, 2024.

[15] Tomandao, Roy (July 7, 2021). "Fraternal eagles". Manila Standard. Retrieved May 3, 2023.

[16] "Metro Manila Film Festival:2011". IMDb. Retrieved April 9, 2014.

[17] "Vice Ganda named Phenomenal Box-Office Star; Derek Ramsay is Box-Office King while Anne Curtis and Cristine Reyes share Box-Office Queen title" Archived July 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Pep.ph. Retrieved May 20, 2014.

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v t e FAMAS Award for Best Actor
1952–1975	Ben Perez (1952) José Padilla Jr. (1953) Fred Montilla (1954) Rogelio de la Rosa (1955) Eddie del Mar (1956) Van de León (1957) Pancho Magalona (1958) Van de León (1959) Efren Reyes Sr. (1960) Leopoldo Salcedo (1961) Joseph Estrada (1962) Eddie Rodriguez (1963) Joseph Estrada (1964) Robert Arevalo (1965) Joseph Estrada (1966) Fernando Poe Jr. (1967) Eddie Garcia (1968) Joseph Estrada (1969) Eddie Garcia (1970) Fernando Poe Jr. (1971) George Estregan (1972) Ramon Revilla Sr. (1973) Christopher de Leon (1974) Bembol Roco (1975)
1976–2000	Christopher de Leon (1976) Dolphy (1977) Matt Ranillo III (1978) Fernando Poe Jr. (1979) Dindo Fernando (1980) Joseph Estrada (1981) Anthony Alonzo (1982) Fernando Poe Jr. (1983) (tied) Eddie Garcia (1983) (tied) Rudy Fernandez (1984) Phillip Salvador (1985) Fernando Poe Jr. (1986) Rudy Fernandez (1987) Christopher de Leon (1988) Tirso Cruz III (1989) Christopher de Leon (1990) Christopher de Leon (1991) Aga Muhlach (1992) Phillip Salvador (1993) Bong Revilla (1994) Richard Gomez (1995) Eddie Garcia (1996) Phillip Salvador (1997) Cesar Montano (1998) Albert Martinez (1999) Johnny Delgado (2000)
2001–present	Armando Goyena (2001) Eddie Garcia (2002) Jay Manalo (2003) Piolo Pascual (2004) Robin Padilla (2005) Cesar Montano (2006) Jinggoy Estrada (2007) Allen Dizon (2008) Allen Dizon (2009) John Lloyd Cruz (2010) E. R. Ejercito (2011) E. R. Ejercito (2012) E. R. Ejercito (2013) Allen Dizon (2014) Dennis Trillo (2015) Daniel Padilla (2016) Allen Dizon (2017) Eddie Garcia (2018) (tied) Victor Neri (2018) (tied) Elijah Canlas (2019) Allen Dizon (2020) Vince Tanada (2021) Noel Trinidad (2022)