SC upholds disqualification of Erap's nephew

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court on Tuesday affirmed the disqualification of Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito as Laguna governor.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified Ejercito last May for campaign overspending during the 2013 elections.

The poll body said Ejercito spent P23.5 million for his campaign when a candidate was allowed to spend only P4.5 million – or P3 for each of the 1,525,522 registered voters in Laguna.

Ejercito, who denied committing overspending, claimed that his disqualification was politically motivated.

In G.R. No. 212398, the Court today dismissed ER Ejercito’s petition, upholding his disqualification as Laguna Governor (12-0).

— SC PIO (Official) (@SCPh_PIO) November 25, 2014

He sought a temporary restraining order from the high court halting the implementation of the Comelec resolution removing him from his post.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said that their decision was not politically motivated but based only on well-documented evidence against Ejercito.

Ejercito, a nephew of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, obtained a total of 549,310 votes in the 2013 elections.

On May 30, he left the Laguna provincial capitol after his uncle urged him to heed the Comelec disqualification order.