E. R. Ejercito

Emilio Ramon Pelayo Ejercito III (born October 5, 1963), commonly known as E. R. Ejercito, 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. He is the son of actor George Estregan and the nephew of former President and former Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

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.

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 on both occasions to incumbent Ramil Hernandez.

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

Despite his conviction and controversial transfer of residency, Ejercito ran for mayor of Calamba in 2022, but eventually lost to Roseller Rizal.

Personal life
He is married to former actress, former mayor, and also former Pagsanjan vice mayor Maita Sanchez (Girlie Javier-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 – Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon (KAPPT) or Philippine Cinema & Television Actors Guild, Inc. (1999–2002)
 * Member – Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna
 * Member – Carpa Club of Pagsanjan, Laguna
 * National Presidential Adviser on Servant Leadership – The Fraternal Order of Eagles – Philippine Eagles (TFOEPE)