Councilor Jet Defends Father ER Ejercito Against Political Accusations
ER EJERCITO – The mayor of Pagsanjan is currently on medical leave due to multiple health concerns, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, atopic dermatitis, and preparations for renal hernia surgery.
This was confirmed by his son, Pagsanjan Councilor John Paul “Jet” Ejercito, during a privilege speech at the Sangguniang Bayan session on December 2, 2025. Despite his absence, Vice Mayor Jan Garcia has been serving as acting mayor of the town.
During his speech, Councilor Jet also addressed ongoing political controversies involving ER’s family, particularly allegations raised by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, ER’s uncle. Jet clarified that the Supreme Court case linked to his father is not related to PDAF corruption or flood control issues, as some have implied. He described the case as politically motivated, stemming from procedural mistakes made by the municipal council in 2008. According to Jet, these accusations mirror past political harassment his father experienced in 2014 when he was unseated as Laguna governor over exaggerated spending allegations, a case later dismissed by the Commission on Elections.
Jet strongly defended his father’s record, emphasizing that the charges are administrative in nature and are not related to plunder, corruption, personal gain, or unlawful enrichment. He criticized the public and political portrayal of his father as a criminal, urging officials and the public to maintain respect, dignity, and focus on facts rather than political theatrics.
He also appealed to his colleagues and constituents to show compassion for his father’s health struggles, drawing from his personal experience of losing his mother, former Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie Maita Ejercito, in November 2024. Jet requested that ER’s temporary medical leave not be exploited for political purposes.
The controversy intensified after the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division issued a Bench Warrant of Arrest for ER on October 21, 2025, citing the Finality of Judgment and Service of Sentence under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. In response, ER stated on his official Facebook page that reports of his replacement were misleading and clarified that Vice Mayor Garcia is acting only while he is on medical leave.
Related Post: ER Ejercito Replaced as Pagsanjan Mayor