Ousted Laguna gov heeds Uncle Erap, leaves capitol

MANILA, Philippines - Unseated Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito temporarily stepped down yesterday upon the advice of his uncle, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Ejercito decided to leave his office at around 11 a.m. yesterday, almost an hour after Estrada, arriving in a helicopter, came to the Laguna capitol where Ejercito had been holed up since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified him for overspending during the 2013 elections.

Ejercito and Estrada had a short closed-door meeting at the governor’s office.

In a speech before Ejercito’s supporters after the private meeting, Estrada encouraged Ejercito to step down while waiting for the June 17 decision of the Supreme Court (SC) on his appeal against the Comelec disqualification order.

“Please listen to me, governor. I am asking you to step down for the sake of peace in our beloved province. Let us wait for the decision of the Supreme Court and if even the decision is not good, the people would be the ones to return you to your post,” Estrada said.

Estrada also questioned the Comelec for singling out Ejercito, saying: “The decision against my nephew, ER, had been made hastily. I was just wondering why he was the only one who was disqualified when almost all, from local to national, overspent (in the elections).”

Ejercito acceded to his uncle’s request and walked with him after the speech.

Ejercito told his supporters that he is still the governor of Laguna and he would return “like an eagle.”

Earlier, the Comelec voted unanimously to disqualify Ejercito for overspending.

Comelec records show that Ejercito spent P23.5 million during the campaign, way beyond the authorized campaign expenditure limit of P4.5 million or P3 each for 1,525,522 voters.

Laguna Vice Gov. Ramil Hernandez of the Nacionalista Party was sworn in by the Comelec on Tuesday. He took over the gubernatorial post after Ejercito failed to get a temporary restraining order from the SC against the Comelec disqualification order.

Subsequently, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Calabarzon served the writ of execution on the unseated governor Wednesday evening.

Estrada said he is fully supporting Ejercito in his fight.

“He can still run after two years should the Supreme Court issue a decision not favorable to him. His record as governor of Laguna is good. He is dedicated to his work and very hardworking. But because he is not a party-mate, maybe they want to get Laguna,” he said.

“The Ejercitos are clean. There is a saying that failure is inevitable, but giving up is unforgivable. So, we will fight. That is what life is,” he added.

Estrada also recounted his experience in politics. He admitted it also saddened him when he was forced to step down as mayor of San Juan for the sake of peace and safety of his supporters in 1987.

“I told them that I don’t have any debt of gratitude to any president. My debt of gratitude is to the people of San Juan who voted for me and supported me all the way. I was forced to step down because the elitists have connived against me,” Estrada said.

“I respect the chairman of the Comelec. He is a good lawyer. His experience as political lawyer made him aware of the situation of the candidates. Why only ER? I experienced that when I was still the mayor of San Juan. I stepped down, but I returned,” he added.

Estrada served as mayor of San Juan for 17 years, senator for six years, vice president for six years, and president for a little over two years. He was ousted from the presidency over allegations of corruption.

Meanwhile, Hernandez, who is holding office at the Laguna Sports Complex, met with all the department heads on Thursday morning to discuss the situation at the capitol.

Hernandez said his first task is to do “housekeeping” before facing or tackling other matters.

He also clarified that he only wants to serve the people of Laguna and he has no personal misunderstanding with Ejercito. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Ed Amoroso