Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III (Tagalog pronunciation: [ɛhɛɹˈsɪtɔ]; born October 5, 1963), commonly known as E. R. Ejercito,[lower-alpha 1] 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.

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
Preceded by	Abner Afuang
Succeeded by	Girlie Ejercito
Personal details
Born	Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III (1963-10-05) October 5, 1963 (age 59) San Juan, Rizal, Philippines
Political party	Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (2018–present)
Other political affiliations	Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (2001–2012) United Nationalist Alliance (2012–2016) PDP–Laban (2016–2018)
Spouse	Maita Sanchez-Ejercito ​ ​ (m. 1987)​
Relations	Joseph Estrada (uncle) Loi Ejercito (aunt)
Children	Emilio Ramon Ejercito IV (Eric) John Paul Ejercito (Jet) Jorge Antonio Genaro Ejercito (Jerico) Maria Guadalupe Ejercito (Jhulia)
Residence(s)	Calamba, Laguna Pagsanjan
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA)
Occupation	Politician, Actor

Early life

Born Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III on October 5, 1963 in San Juan, then a municipality of Rizal province, to actor Jesús Jorgé 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 Jeorge "E. R." Ejercito 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 both occasions to incumbent Ramil Hernandez. He later transferred to Calamba, where he unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2022.[3]

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.[4][5][6] The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court on August 7, 2019, upheld its earlier ruling that also barred Ejercito from holding public office.[4][7]

Personal life

He is married to actress, former Mayor and Pagsanjan Vice Mayor Maita Sanchez (Girlie Ejercito in real life). They have 4 children: Eric Ejercito (born 1987), Jet Ejercito (born 1989), Jerico Ejercito (born 1992) and Jhulia Ejercito (born 2002).

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 – KAPTT-Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon or Philippine Cinema & Television Actors Guild, Inc. (1999–2002)
• Member – Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna
• Member – Carpa Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna

Filmography

Television

• Heredero (1985-1987) – recurring role
• IBC Headliners (2000) – news anchor
• Ang Probinsyano (2021) - Guest Cast (Kapamilya Channel)

Film

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

Awards

Notes

References

External links

• Jorge Estregan at IMDb