JOSEPH EJERCITO (ERAP) ESTRADA

Term: (1998-2001) He was elected president of the Philippines

in 1998 and served for 31 months until he was ousted after the
People Power II protests in January 2001and the 13th President
of The Philippines

I. INTRODUCTION OF THE TOPIC:

Joseph Ejecrcito (Erap) Estrada was born on April 19, 1937 in Tondo, Manila
Parents: to Emilio Liza Ejercito, Sr., a former Chief Sanitary Engineer of Manila, and Maria
Marcelo.
He was the eighth of ten siblings, his siblings are Antonio Ejercito(1932-2005), Emilio Ejercito
Jr., George Estregan(1939-1988). Dr. Pilarica Ejercito, Paulino Ejercito,Petrocinia E. de
Guzman, Marita , and Jesse Ejercito
Jose Ejercito Estrada, commonly known as Erap, is a former actor before he entered politics
from the Philippines who served as the country's 13th president from 1998 to 2001. He was the
first Asian president to be impeached from an executive position and resign in 2001. Estrada
came to popularity as a film actor, appearing in over a hundred films over the length of a three-
decade acting career, and as a model, beginning his career as a fashion and ramp model at the
age of thirteen. He used his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics. He called the
presidency “the greatest role of my life.” Even so he sometimes acted if politics was all a big
joke. Once he said, "Why do we pass all these laws when nobody seems to follow them." His
trademark was a white wristband.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

 Joseph Estrada finished his primary education in Ateneo de Manila University. He

continued his secondary education in the same school but he was dismissed for unruly
behavior.
 He pursued an engineering course in MAPUA Institute of Technology but he dropped out
and did not finish his studies. He enrolled at the Mapua Institute of Technology but
dropped out before finishing college to pursue a career in acting. It was during his first
term as Senator of the Republic that he was conferred with a degree of Doctor in
Humanities (Honoris Causa) by the University of Pangasinan in 1990.
 He was conferred the same degree by the Bicol University in 1997.
 Estrada is married to the physician and former senator Luisa “Loi” P. Ejercito Estrada
and has three children with her: Jinggoy, Senate President Pro Tempore, Jacqueline, and
Jude.

II. PROJECTS

CAREER TIMELINE:

1954, ENTERTAINMENT: Estrada started his acting career with the film Kandelerong
Pilak (Silver Candlesticks), a Lamberto Avellana 1954 classic for LVN Pictures. From then on,
he starred as a lead actor in more than 100 films, more than half of which he produced himself.
In his 33 years in the entertainment industry, he received five Best Actor Awards from Filipino
Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences and was was placed in the FAMAS Hall of Fame twice—
in 1981 and in 1984.

1968-1986, LOCAL POLITICS: Estrada ran for Mayor of San Juan in 1968 but lost to
Dr. Braulio Sto. Domingo because of his apparent lack of political experience. After filing an
electoral protest against Sto. Domingo, Estrada was proclaimed mayor in 1969. He served for 16
continuous years.

1987, LEGISLATIVE: He won as senator under the party Grand Alliance for
Democracy (GAD) party, placing 16th out of the 24 winners. As senator, he voted to terminate
the RP-US Military Bases Agreement, which led to the historic withdrawal of American
servicemen from the Clark Air Base in Pampanga and the Subic Naval Base in Zambales.

1992-1998, VICE PRESIDENT: Estrada agreed to be the running mate of business

tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. under the Nationalist People’s Coalition Party (NPC). He won,
while Cojuangco lost to Fidel Ramos. During his stint as vice president, Estrada organized the
Citizens Movement for Justice, Economy, Environment and Peace (JEEP) and chaired the
Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC). He was also a member of the National Security
Council.

1998-2001, PRESIDENT: Estrada won the 1998 presidential race by landslide—11

million votes, the biggest number registered for a single candidate in Philippine election history.
As president, he declared an “all out war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in
Mindanao and captured its quarters and other camps. He also ordered the cleansing of the
military and the police, and undertook a low-cost national housing program for the poor.

Not even halfway through Estrada’s 6-year term, allegations that Estrada committed
plunder and engaged in corruption led to an impeachment trial in the Senate by late-2000. The
case focused on allegations that Estrada received some P545 million from jueteng, an illegal
numbers game; misappropriated some P130 million collection of tobacco sin taxes; profitted
some P189.7 million from the share sale of Bell Corp, a real estate firm owned by his friend,
and; owned a P3.2 billion funds in the fictitious Jose Velarde bank account in Equitable-PCI
Bank.

When his allies in the Senate voted not to open his bank accounts, protesters trooped to
the streets to call for him to step down from his office. Days into the EDSA II people power
revolution, and after key cabinet and military officials resigned, he stepped down. The
impeachment court did not convene anymore, but the cases were pursued in the anti-graft court.
He was arrested in October 2001 and was detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center,
Camp Capinpin in Tanay. He was eventually transferred to his Tanay rest house where he was on
house arrest.

2007: After a lengthy trial at the Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court ruled that Estrada
was not guilty of perjury, but was guilty of plunder. He was sentenced to lifetime imprisonment.
All his co-accused were acquitted. A month after, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted
him a presidential pardon. He was 70.

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES:
RA 8425: Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act, which provided women’s representation
in the National Anti-Poverty Council
RA 8505: An Act Providing Assistance and Protection for Rape Victims, Establishing for the
Purpose a Rape Crisis Center in Every Province and City
RA 8551: promoted equal opportunities for women in the Philippine National Police
RA 8972: Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 aims to develop a comprehensive program of social
development and welfare services for solo parents and their children
Executive Order No. 220, s. 2000: Creating an Executive Council to suppress trafficking in
persons, particularly women and children

PRESIDENT ESTRADA SIGNED INTO LAW AND IMPLEMENTED THE

FOLLOWING:
PHILIPPINE CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999 (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8749)
It is a comprehensive air quality management policy and program that developed to
protect and maintain the environment while ensuring the long-term development of the country's
natural resources.

INCENTIVES FOR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF FOREIGN

MULTINATIONALS (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8756)
The measure grants a host of incentives to multinational firms establishing their regional
hubs in the country. It also provides a tax- and duty- free operating environment for them, and
multiple entry visas to expatriates and their families, as well as a flat income tax rate of 15%
RETAIL TRADE LIBERALIZATION ACT (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8762)
SENATE Bill (SB) 2121, or “An Act Amending Republic Act 8762, otherwise known as
the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and For Other Purposes,” was filed last year in order to
increase investments by foreign entities in the Philippines. The bill dismantles 40 years of state
protectionism over the country’s retail trade industry and opens the sector to big foreign
players.And will stand to eliminate the capital and equity requirement of foreign capitalists who
will engage in the retail business in the country.

NEW GENERAL BANKING ACT (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8791)

The measure opens up the local banking industry to foreign players after almost 50 years
of having it exclusively reserved and protected for Filipino nationals. With the industry’s
liberalization at least 10 foreign banks have already established their presence in the Philippines.

ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ACT OF 2000 (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8792)

This Act aims to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions,
arrangements, agreements, contracts and exchanges and storage of information through the
utilization of electronic, optical and similar medium, mode, instrumentality and technology to
recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic data messages or electronic documents
related to such activities and to promote the universal use of electronic transactions in the
government and by the general public.

NEW SECURITIES ACT (REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8799)

Issued Executive Order(EO) 151, also known as Farmer’s Trust Fund, which allows the
voluntary consolidation of small farm operation into medium and large scale integrated
enterprise that can access long-term capital
President Estrada launched the sa Magkabalikat Para sa Agraryong Kaunlaran or
MAGKASAKA.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.14

Establishing the Presidential Commission on the Year 2000 Compliance. Whereas, the
Constitution also provides in Section 10, Article XIV, that “Science and Technology are
essential for national development and progress”. The state shall give priority to research and
development, invention, innovation and their utilization; and to science and technology
education, training and services. It shall support support indigenous, appreciate and self- reliant
scientific and technological capabilities and their application to the country’s productive system
and national life”.
PROJECTS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The launching of the mobile information technology classroom in Mindanao to provide
students hands-on training in IT Lessons.
The implementation of the climate information monitoring and prediction services to make
weather forecasting more useful in managing Agriculture and water resources.
Computerized Validating Machine in Treasury Department and Micro Printing – Reading
and Micro Computer in Municipal Assessors Office, where they are the first on having that king
of machinery
The implementation of the Gains Export Program or Gainex to strengthen the scientific
capabilities of small-and-medium-scale exporters.
The implementation of the Project Rise or the Rescue initiative for Science Education to
upgrade science and technology learning
The strengthening of the National Computer Center to fulfil its goal of setting up a
government information, infrastructure, which will result in eradicating red tape in the
bureaucracy

III. PROBLEMS:
WAR BETWEEN MILF (MORO WAR)
During the Ramos administration a cessation of hostilities agreement was signed
between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in July 1997.
This was continued by a series of peace talks and negotiations in Estrada administration.
However the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a Islamic group formed in 1977, seeks to be
an independent Islamic State from the Philippines, despite the agreements, a sequence of terrorist
attacks with the Philippine military and the civilians still continued.Such of those attack are 277
violations committed, kidnapping a foreign priest, namely Father Luciano Benedetti, the
occupying and setting on fire of the municipal hall of Talayan, Maguindanao; 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.
PLUNDER
Accepting 545 million pesos from the proceeds of Jueteng, an illegal gambling game;
misappropriating 130 million pesos in tobacco excise taxes; receiving an 189.7-million-peso
commission from the sale of Belle Corporation shares; and owning 3.2 billion pesos in a bank
account under the name Jose Velarde were the four charges in the plunder case.

PERJURY
The minor charge of perjury is for Estrada underreporting his assets in his 1999 statement
of assets and liabilities and for the illegal use of an alias, namely for the Jose Velarde bank
account

IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
This was the first time Filipinos heard an elected president stand trial and face probable
impeachment on the radio and television, with full media coverage. The prosecution submitted
witnesses and purported evidence about Estrada's alleged involvement in jueteng before the
impeachment court throughout the trial. It was also revealed that he had hidden bank accounts
where he reportedly received payoffs. During the trial, Singson testified against the president,
alleging that he and the president were partners in command of the country's jueteng activities.
One of the key pieces of evidence in Estrada's later conviction was Singson's testimony.

CORRUPTION
  Estrada gave luxury cars to favorite senior bureaucrats and cut deals during all night
majong games with his “midnight cabinet” cronies, which included some of Marcos’s cronies,
gangsters and people involved in gambling and smuggling and other illicit trades. He kept
four houses and helped friends who were notorious tax dodgers.
  Estrada was accused of profiting from trading stock for BW Resources, operator of an
online bingo game, which shot up 5,000 percent and dropped just a quickly and triggered the
Philippines’ largest stock scandal ever and almost caused the closure or the Philippines stock
market.
 Estrada was also accused of: 1) failing to pursue a $1 billion tax evasion case against
tycoon Lucio Tan, a major campaign supporter; 2) taking a cut of ransom money paid to
release Abu Sayyaf hostages; 3) laundering drug money through U.S., Canadian and Hong
Kong banks with a former national police chief; and 4) taking a $20 million kickback form
sale of a telephone company. He had many supporters in key places. The movie industry
withdrew advertising from a newspaper that was critical of Estrada. But even so as the
charges against him mounted his approval rating dropped from 65 percent in June 1999 to 21
percent in May 2000.
 Estrada wanted to replace a popular illegal numbers game with a new legal game called
two ball bingo. He gave the contract to a gambling crony, Charlie Ang, a move that would
later force Estrada from office. One of Ang’s rival Gov. Luis Singsong, who ran an illegal
numbers game threatened by two ball bingo, got his revenge by offering details of how
Estrada received payoffs from gambling bosses.