Ejercito to appeal ouster; clan cries persecution

LAGUNA , Philippines  â€“ Gov. ER Ejercito is ready to file an appeal even as he stood firm yesterday that he remains at the helm of the province since the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify him is not yet final.

At the Senate, brothers Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito decried yesterday what they described as political persecution of their family.

Estrada told The STAR: “First, me, then my cousin, ER and I heard, my father will be next. What could that be called except public persecution?”

They have been hearing reports that the elder Estrada is next in line through a disqualification case pending before the Supreme Court, he added.

Speaking over dzRH radio, JV Ejercito said some quarters are keen on keeping their family out of the political arena.

In the last election, last ditch efforts were made to remove him from the winning circle, he added.

In a text message to The STAR, Ejercito said he is entitled to a motion for reconsideration.

“I will remain to be the governor of the province of Laguna,” he said. “As to the merits or demerits of the case, I will leave that to my lawyers. I just hope and pray that evil politics is not behind all these.”

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said Ejercito has five days to submit one.

“If the en banc rules against him, Ejercito may proceed to the Supreme Court,” he said.

Vice President Jejomar Binay said he hopes the disqualification of Ejercito is not intended to persecute the opposition.

On the other hand, Brillantes said the action against Ejercito has no political color.

Binay, a member of the three-man United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) executive committee,  said  the timing of the decision is very disturbing.

“I am just surprised,” he said. “I hope it is not merely intended to persecute the opposition.” 

Speaking to reporters, Brillantes said the Comelec had looked into the merits of the case in deciding to disqualify Ejercito.

“Some are insinuating that politics is involved because the first to be disqualified is identified with a clan,” he said.

“This is not true because 10 days ago, we came out with a resolution charging for election offense incumbent Antique Gov. Exequiel Javier.” 

Binay said Ejercito has still a chance to file a motion for reconsideration.

“There is still an appeal,” he said. “But the decision is on the basis of overspending. I don’t really know if there is a precedent where a candidate was disqualified for overspending.

“Anyway, what I know is that ER’s lead against his closest rival is 50,000 votes.” 

Brillantes said Javier belongs to the pro-administration Liberal Party.

“So it shows that we don’t mind party and the personality,” he said. “What we care for is that if we implement the election laws that we are supposed to uphold. They are the same for us if they overspent.” 

The disqualification case against Ejercito arose from a petition of his closest rival in the election, Edgar  San Luis.

The Comelec First Division granted the petition of San Luis and ordered Ejercito to cease and desist from performing the functions of provincial governor of Laguna.

In the last election, Ejercito was re-elected   governor with a total 549,310 votes

 However, Brillantes said Ejercito spent over P20 million during the political campaign in violation of the law and a Comelec resolution.

“Under the law, a maximum of P3 could be spent per registered voter, and in the case of Laguna, the total allowable campaign spending could have been between P4 to P5 million as Laguna has a total 1,525,522 voters,” he said.

Ejercito’s expense report shows he had a contract for seven television spots worth over P20 million,  he added.

In a statement, the Comelec said Ejercito spent P6 million in television advertisements alone.

Once Ejercito is disqualified, Vice Gov. Ramil Hernandez would become governor, Brillantes said– With Christina Mendez, Jose Rodel Clapano, Sheila Crisostomo