Joseph Estrada

"Erap" redirects here. For other uses, see ERAP.

For other people named Jose Estrada, see Jose Estrada (disambiguation).

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Marcelo and the surname or paternal family name is Ejercito.

Joseph Estrada
Estrada in 2000
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
22nd Mayor of Manila
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019
Vice Mayor	Isko Moreno (2013–2016) Honey Lacuna (2016–2019)
Preceded by	Alfredo Lim
Succeeded by	Isko Moreno
18th Secretary 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
14th Mayor of San Juan
In office August 5, 1969 – March 26, 1986
Preceded by	Braulio Santo Domingo
Succeeded by	Reynaldo San Pascual
Personal details
Born	Jose Marcelo Ejercito (1937-04-19) April 19, 1937 Tondo, Manila, Philippine Commonwealth
Political party	PMP (1991–present)
Other political affiliations	UNA (2012–15) UNO (2005–10) LAMMP (1997–2001) NPC (1991–97) Nacionalista (1969–91)
Spouse	Luisa Pimentel ​ (m. 1959)​
Children	11 (incl. Jose Jr., Joseph Victor, Jude and Juan Emilio)
Relatives	Ejercito family
Residence	Santa Mesa, Manila
Alma mater	Mapúa University Central Colleges of the Philippines
Occupation	Politician actor
Profession	Businessman
Signature
Criminal information
Criminal status	Pardoned on October 26, 2007 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Criminal charge	Plunder
Penalty	Reclusión perpetua

Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada KGCR (Tagalog: [ʔɛˌhɛːɾ.sɪˈto ʔɛsˈtɾaː.dɐ]; né Jose Marcelo Ejercito; April 19, 1937) is a Filipino politician and former actor, who served as the 13th President of the Philippines from 1998 until his removal in 2001, the 9th Vice President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, and the 22nd Mayor of Manila from 2013 to 2019, also served as the 14th Mayor of San Juan from 1969 to 1986. In 2001, he was formally impeached from the Presidency as a result of the Second EDSA revolution; he became the first chief executive in Asia to be impeached.

At 87 years old, he is the Philippines' oldest living former president.

Brief Life History

Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over a hundred films in an acting career spanning some three decades. He also worked as a model, beginning as a fashion and ramp model at the age of 13. He used his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics, serving as the 14th Mayor of San Juan from 1969 to 1986, as Senator from 1987 to 1992, then as Vice President under President Fidel V. Ramos from 1992 to 1998.

Estrada was elected president in 1998 with a wide margin of votes separating him from the other challengers and was sworn into the presidency on June 30, 1998. In 2000, he declared an "all-out-war" against Moro Islamic Liberation Front and captured its headquarters and other camps. Allegations of corruption spawned an impeachment trial in the Senate, and in 2001, Estrada was ousted in the Second EDSA Revolution after the prosecution walked out of the impeachment court when the senator-judges voted not to open an envelope that allegedly contained incriminating evidence against him. After his arrest on April 25, 2001, on charges of plunder, his supporters rallied and marched to Malacañang Palace and attempted to storm the premises in EDSA III.

In 2007, Estrada was sentenced by a special division of the Sandiganbayan to reclusión perpetua under a charge of plunder for the embezzlement of the $80 million from the government but was later granted a pardon by the president and his former deputy, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He ran for president again in the 2010 presidential election but was defeated by Senator Benigno Aquino III by a wide margin. He later served as the 22nd Mayor of Manila for two terms, from 2013 to 2019.

Early life and education

Joseph Estrada was born as Jose Marcelo Ejercito at 8:25 pm on April 19, 1937 in Tondo, an urban district of Manila. His family later moved to the wealthy suburb of San Juan, then a municipality in the province of Rizal. 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 the Ateneo Elementary School in 1951, he was expelled during his second year of secondary studies at the Ateneo High School for disciplinary conduct. Later during college, he enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering course at the Mapúa Institute of Technology to please his father. He would leave once again and later transferred to Central Colleges of the Philippines College of Engineering but dropped out.

In his twenties, he began a career as a drama 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 actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Career

Film actor

Main article: Joseph Estrada filmography

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 the Movie 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. He also founded, together with Guillermo de Vega, the first Metro Manila Film Festival in 1975.

Entry into politics

Mayor of San Juan (1969–1986)

Estrada entered politics in 1967, running for mayor of San Juan, failing and only succeeding in 1969 after winning an electoral protest against Braulio Sto. Domingo. 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.

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 to Taytay, 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. When Corazon Aquino assumed the presidency in 1986, all elected officials of the local government were forcibly removed and replaced by appointed officers-in-charge, including Estrada

Senator of the Philippines (1987–1992)

Estrada as a senator, photograph released by the Philippine Congress, c. 1988

In 1987, Estrada won a seat in the Senate under the Grand Alliance for Democracy (GAD) placing 14th in the elections (out of 24 winners). 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.

In the Senate, Estrada sponsored bills on irrigation projects and the protection and propagation of the carabao, the beast of burden in the rural areas.

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 the Clark Air Base in Pampanga and the Subic Naval Base in Zambales.

In 1989, the Free 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, and by the Bicol University in April 1997.

Vice presidency (1992–1998)

See also: Presidency of Fidel V. Ramos

Oath taking as Vice President of the Philippines on June 30, 1992

In 1992, Estrada initially ran for president under the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), with Vicente Rivera Jr. as his running mate and fellow actor Fernando Poe Jr. as his campaign manager. 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. However, Estrada reluctantly withdrew his bid on March 30 due to financial issues and instead became the running mate of Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. under the Nationalist People's Coalition; Estrada expressed that the decision was "very painful, if not traumatic". Though Cojuangco lost to former National Defense Secretary Fidel V. Ramos for the presidency, Estrada won the vice-presidency garnering more votes than his closest opponent Marcelo 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. He repeatedly topped surveys on government officials' performance conducted by the Social Weather Stations within his first two years as vice president and was named "Man of the Year" by ABS-CBN for 1993. He resigned as chair in 1997.

In the same year Estrada, together with former president Corazon Aquino, Cardinal Jaime Sin, Senator Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and other political leaders, led an anti-charter change rally that brought in an estimated half a million people to Rizal Park against the charter change moves by Ramos and his supporters.

In early 1993, Estrada established Club 419 (later the International Business Club) in Cafe Ysabel within San Juan as a private men's club for him and his friends, including Poe.

Presidency (1998–2001)

Main article: Presidency of Joseph Estrada

Presidential styles of Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Reference style	His Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Alternative style	Mr. President

Inaugural address delivered in Rizal Park, Manila, June 30, 1998.

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.

"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.

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". Estrada was inaugurated on June 30, 1998, in the historical town of Malolos in Bulacan province in paying tribute to the cradle of the First Philippine Republic. That afternoon the new president delivered his inaugural address at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. He assumed office amid the Asian 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. The economy recovered by 3.4% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and captured its headquarters and other camps. Allegations of corruption spawned a railroaded impeachment trial in the Senate courtesy of house speaker Manuel 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.

Domestic policies

Main article: Presidency of Joseph Estrada § Domestic policies

Rebellion in Mindanao

Main articles: 2000 Philippine campaign against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Battle of Camp Abubakar

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. 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. 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; the bombing of the Lady of Mediatrix boat at Ozamiz 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, on March 21, 2000, Estrada declared an "all-out war" against the MILF.

During the war the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) asked Estrada to negotiate a ceasefire 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 to Malaysia. The MILF later declared a jihad 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.

In his state of the nation address (SONA), Estrada highlighted his vision for Mindanao:

• The first is to restore and maintain peace in Mindanao—because, without peace, there can be no development.
• The second is to develop Mindanao—because, without development, there can be no peace.
• The third is to continue seeking peace talks with the MILF within the framework of the Constitution—because a peace agreed upon in good faith is preferable to a peace enforced by force of arms.
• And the fourth is to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front, or MNLF—because that is our commitment to our countrymen and the international community.

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]

Foreign policies

Main article: Presidency of Joseph Estrada § Foreign policies

Economy

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. The fiscal deficit had reportedly doubled to more than ₱100 billion from a low of ₱49 billion in 1998. 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.

Corruption charges and impeachment

In October 2000, Ilocos Sur governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, a close friend of Estrada, alleged that he had personally given Estrada ₱400 million as the payoff from jueteng, 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. 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 Speaker Manny Villar fast-tracked the impeachment complaint. The impeachment suit was brought to the Senate and an impeachment court was formed, with Chief Justice Hilario 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.

In the 2004 Global Transparency Report by Transparency International, Estrada, together with Ferdinand 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.

EDSA II

Main article: EDSA II

Protests

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. The prosecution panel (of congressmen and lawyers) walked out of the impeachment court in protest of this vote. 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 the EDSA Shrine at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, not too far away from the site of the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew President Ferdinand Marcos.

On January 19, 2001, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Angelo 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.

Ouster from office

The following day, the Supreme Court declared the presidency vacant even without Estrada's resignation. At noon, Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in by Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as president of the Philippines. Before Estrada departed from Malacañang, 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!

The Supreme Court on March 2, 2001, upheld the constitutionality of Arroyo succeeding Estrada in a unanimous 13–0 decision in Estrada vs. Desierto.

Administration and cabinet

Main article: Presidency of Joseph Estrada § Administration and cabinet

Post-presidency (2001–present)

Arrest and EDSA III

Main article: EDSA III

After being ousted from the presidency, Estrada returned to his family home in San Juan.

On April 25, 2001, the Sandiganbayan charged him and his son Jinggoy with plunder and had them arrested. His supporters marched to the EDSA Shrine to stage a protest demanding Estrada's release and his reinstatement as president, among whom were his wife Loi Ejercito and political allies such as Juan Ponce Enrile, Panfilo Lacson, Gringo Honasan and Miriam Defensor Santiago. In the early morning of May 1, supporters of Estrada marched straight to the gates of Malacañang Palace, where violence erupted and forcing President Arroyo to declare a state of rebellion. 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. The government called out the military and was able to quell the riots with tear gases and warning shots under a "maximum tolerance" policy. The riots came to be generally known as EDSA III, though others have argued against the use of the name.

Estrada was initially detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City and then transferred to a military facility in Tanay, 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.

Trial

Main article: Trial of Joseph Estrada

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 to reclusión 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 the Sandiganbayan judgment penned by Teresita 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 an oral 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]

Perjury case

Estrada in 2012.

The Sandiganbayan'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 his perjury case regarding his 1999 statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). The court was also to resolve Banco 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 a Bureau of Internal Revenue stay order.

Clemency and release from detention

On October 22, 2007, Acting Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera stated that Estrada was seeking a "full, free, and unconditional pardon" from President Arroyo. 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.

On October 25, 2007, President Arroyo granted executive 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." Bunye noted that Estrada committed in his application not to seek public office, 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 the Sandiganbayan promulgated the resolution.

Activities

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" (Thank you tour) during which he thanked the people for their support and gave them relief goods such as food, medicines and clothing.

2010 presidential election

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. Fr. Joaquin Bernas and Christian 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. Romulo Macalintal, election counsel of President Arroyo, clarified that the constitutional ban did not prevent Estrada from attaining the presidency if he were to be elevated from the vice-presidency, for example. 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.

On October 22, 2009, Estrada announced that he would run again for president with Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay as his running mate. His senatorial lineup included Francisco Tatad, Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Joey de Venecia, and Miriam Defensor Santiago. Estrada lost to Senator Benigno Aquino III in the election.

Other activities

In 1972, Estrada starred in Blood Compact.

In October 2010, the magazine Foreign 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's Thaksin Shinawatra, Spain's Jose Maria Aznar, and Germany's Gerhard Schroder.

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. Agence France Presse reported that Estrada "has put up two high-rise residential condominium buildings and plans to build a third soon."

Mayor of Manila (2013–2019)

Estrada (center, back row) with members of the 10th City Council of Manila on July 13, 2016

In May 2012, Estrada announced his intention to run for Mayor of Manila in the 2013 elections to continue his political career.

Around noon of May 14, 2013, the day after the conduct of the 2013 Philippine mid-term elections, Estrada and his running-mate and re-electionist Vice Mayor Francisco "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. During his first term as mayor of Manila, Estrada implemented a city-wide bus ban, truck ban, and revival program especially on Escolta Street. In 2015, Estrada declared the city debt-free after instituting various fiscal reforms.

Originally planning to serve for one term only, he changed his mind and ran for reelection in 2016. This time, his running mate was former 4th 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. 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.

Then-mayor-elect Isko Moreno (second from left) paying a courtesy visit to then outgoing mayor Joseph Estrada (second from right) weeks after defeating the latter in the 2019 local elections

Estrada has also shown support for the controversial Manila Bay reclamation, with the fourth reclamation project approved on June 7, 2017. Estrada, however, was widely criticized for a publicity stunt at a clean-up drive in Manila Bay on July 21, 2017. On September 28, 2018, Estrada settled the city's ₱200 million tax liabilities, left unpaid by former mayors Lito Atienza and Alfredo Lim, to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

After serving two consecutive terms as mayor, Estrada intended to run for a third term in 2019, competing against former Manila vice mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso and former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim; Estrada chose former 5th District Representative Amado Bagatsing as his running mate for vice mayor. Estrada lost to Domagoso, who beat him by more than 100,000 votes in a landslide victory. Estrada conceded defeat on the evening of May 13 and stepped down on June 30.

Electoral history

Provinces in which Estrada won in 1992, 1998 and 2010 national elections.

San Juan mayoralty elections

• Estrada won every mayoralty election in San Juan from 1969 to 1984.

Senatorial election, 1987:

• Joseph Estrada (GAD) – 10,029,978 (14th, 24 candidates with the highest number of votes win the 24 seats in the Senate)

Vice Presidential election, 1992:

• Joseph Estrada (PMP) – 6,739,738 (33.00%)
• Marcelo Fernan (LDP) – 4,438,494 (21.74%)
• Emilio Osmeña (Lakas-NUCD) – 3,362,467 (16.47%)
• Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. (PRP) – 2,900,556 (14.20%)
• Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. (PDP–Laban) – 2,023,289 (9.91%)
• Vicente Magsaysay (KBL) – 699,895 (3.43%)
• Eva Estrada-Kalaw (Nacionalista) – 255,730 (1.25%)

Presidential election, 1998:

• Joseph Estrada (LAMMP) – 10,722,295 (39.86%)
• Jose de Venecia (Lakas-NUCD-UMDP) – 4,268,483 (15.87%)
• Raul Roco (Aksyon Demokratiko) – 3,720,212 (13.83%)
• Emilio Osmeña (PROMDI) – 3,347,631 (12.44%)
• Alfredo Lim (Liberal) – 2,344,362 (8.71%)
• Renato de Villa (Reporma-LM) – 1,308,352 (4.86%)
• Miriam Defensor Santiago (PRP) – 797,206 (2.96%)
• Juan Ponce Enrile (Independent) – 343,139 (1.28%)
• Santiago Dumlao (Kilusan para sa Pambansang Pagpapanibago) – 32,212 (0.12%)
• Manuel Morato (Partido Bansang Marangal) – 18,644 (0.07%)

Presidential election, 2010:

• Benigno Aquino III (Liberal) – 15,208,678 (42.08%)
• Joseph Estrada (PMP) – 9,487,837 (26.25%)
• Manny Villar (Nacionalista) – 5,573,835 (15.42%)
• Gilbert Teodoro (Lakas Kampi CMD) – 4,095,839 (11.33%)
• Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) – 1,125,878 (3.12%)
• Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan-VNP) – 501,727 (1.39%)
• Nicanor Perlas (independent) – 54,575 (0.15%)
• Jamby Madrigal (independent) – 46,489 (0.13%)
• John Carlos de los Reyes (Ang Kapatiran) – 44,244 (0.12%)

Manila Mayoralty Elections 2013

• Joseph Estrada (PMP) – 349,770
• Alfredo Lim (LP) – 307,525

Manila Mayoralty Elections 2016

• Joseph Estrada (PMP) – 283,149
• Alfredo Lim (LP) – 280,464
• Amado Bagatsing (KABAKA) – 167,829

Manila Mayoralty Elections 2019

• Isko Domagoso Moreno (Asenso Manileño) – 357,925
• Joseph Estrada (PMP) – 210,605
• Alfredo Lim (PDP–Laban) – 138,923

In popular culture

Since the beginning of his political career, Estrada has been the butt of many jokes, called "ERAP Jokes", in the Philippines. 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 book ERAPtion: How to Speak English Without Really Trial.

Personal life

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 acting mustaches and wristbands.

Marriage and family

Estrada is married to former First Lady-turned-senator Dr. Luisa "Loi" Pimentel, whom he met while she was working at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong, and has three children with her:

• Jinggoy Estrada, mayor of San Juan (1992–2001); senator (2004–2016; 2022–present) (married to Precy Vitug)
• Jackie Ejercito (formerly married to Beaver Lopez)
• Jude Estrada (married to Maria Rowena Ocampo)

Extramarital affairs

Estrada also has eight children from several extramarital relationships.

Two children named Joel/Jojo and Teresita/Tetchie with Peachy Osorio.

Politician Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito with former San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez.

One son named Jason with a former air hostess who is known only as Larena.

Three children--Jerika, Jacob, and actor Jake Ejercito--with former actress Laarni Enriquez.

One child named Jose Mari/Joma with Joy Melendrez.

Other relatives

Several of Ejercito's relatives became prominent figures in politics and show business.

• Jorge Ejercito ("George Estregan"), brother; actor
• E.R. Ejercito ("George Estregan Jr."), son of George Estregan and nephew; actor, Mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna (2001–2010) and Governor of Laguna (2010–2014)
• Gary Ejercito ("Gary Estrada"), nephew; actor, and board member of Quezon province
• Gherome Ejercito, nephew; basketball player

Approval ratings

SWS Net satisfaction ratings of Joseph Estrada (September 1998 – December 2000)

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

Awards and honors

National Honors

• : Order of the Knights of Rizal – Knight Grand Cross of Rizal.
• 1975 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor for Diligin mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw na Lupa
• 1962 FAMAS Best Actor for Markang Rehas
• 1964 FAMAS Best Actor for Geron Busabos
• 1965 FAMAS Best Actor for Ito ang Maynila
• 1966 FAMAS Best Actor for Sapang Palay
• 1969 FAMAS Best Actor for Galo Gimbal
• 1971 Outstanding Mayor and foremost Nationalist by the Inter-Provincial Information Service
• 1972 One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in Public Administration by the Philippine Jaycees
• 1981 FAMAS Best Actor for Hoy, Tukso Layuan mo Ako
• 1981 FAMAS Hall of Fame
• 2007 Most Outstanding Citizen of San Juan
• 2014 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Government Service Award

Foreign honours

• Argentina:
  • Collar of the Order of the Liberator General San Martín (20 September 1999)

Honorary Doctorates

• Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa by the University of Pangasinan (1990)
• Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa by Bicol University (April 1997)

External links

• Official Website of Joseph "Erap" Estrada
• Office of the President (Estrada Administration) at the Wayback Machine (archived December 7, 2000)
• Joseph Estrada Curriculum Vitae
• Malacañang Museum Official Biography
• Joseph Estrada at IMDb