I’m governor…now and forever—ER Ejercito

Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—After failing to get immediate relief from the Supreme Court in his bid to stop the Commission on Elections from implementing its decision disqualifying him from office, beleaguered actor-politician Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito on Tuesday said he’s not going anywhere but stay put as governor of Laguna.

“Ako pa rin ang inyong gobernador. Ngayon at magpakailanman (I’m still your governor. Now and forever),” Ejercito said in what looked like an “unscripted” speech before his supporters in Laguna on Tuesday evening.

Ejercito was disqualified on Sept. 16, 2013, as governor of Laguna by the Commission on Elections for overspending in the May 2013 elections. The disqualification and removal were affirmed on May 21 this year by the Comelec.

On Friday, Ejercito asked the Supreme Court to stop the Comelec from implementing its decision ordering him to vacate his post.

On Tuesday afternoon, May 27, Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez formally took oath as new Laguna Governor, officially removing Ejercito.

Hernandez said in a press briefing after the oathtaking ceremony that he was instructed by the Comelec to formally replace Ejercito “to avoid confusion.”

In a 21-page resolution, the Comelec en banc upheld the ruling of the election body’s First Division issued on Sept. 26, 2013, which found Ejercito guilty of spending beyond the limit of P4.5 million or P3 each of the more than 1.5 million registered voters in Laguna.

‎The former governor was found to have spent P6 million on one television advertisement amid election rules limiting an official’s campaign budget based on the voter population of his locality.

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