Comelec disqualifies Laguna governor ER Ejercito

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday ordered Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito to vacate his post after being found guilty of campaign overspending during the 2013 polls.

Voting 7-0, the Comelec en banc upheld the decision issued by its First Division in September 2013 disqualifying Ejercito, .

The poll body said Ejercito, who had a limit of P4.5 million for his campaign expenses, spent P23.5 million.

According to state-run People's Television Network, the Comelec said Laguna Vice Governor Ramir Hernandez will assume the post as acting governor.

Meantime, Ejercito may still file for a temporary restraining order on the Comelec decision before the Supreme Court within five days.

Ejercito, a nephew of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, obtained a total of 549,310 votes in the 2013 elections. - Louis Bacani and Sheila Crisostomo