It’s final: SC upholds removal of ER Ejercito from Laguna capitol

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled with finality to again uphold a Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision unseating Laguna governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito for overspending in the 2013 elections.

 

In an en banc session, the SC junked a motion for reconsideration seeking to reverse the SC's original ruling in November 2014 that upheld Ejercito's disqualification.

 

"The basic issues raised in the motion for reconsideration had already been passed upon," said SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te in citing the ground for the denial of Ejercito's appeal.

 

"No substantial new arguments had been raised to merit a reconsideration," added the spokesman.

 

In its original decision November last year, the high court - voting 12-0 - junked Ejercito's motion questioning the decision of the Comelec en banc to disqualify him.

 

Ejercito, nephew of former President and now Manila mayor Joseph "Erap" Estrada, has been replaced by Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez.

 

The Commission on Elections in May 2014 disqualilfied Ejercito for overspending during the May 2013 elections.

 

Ejercito was found to have paid P6 million for one television advertisement contract to further his gubernatorial campaign in 2013.

 

Election rules, however, allowed him to spend only P4.5 million for his entire campaign. Documents showed that he spent some P23.5 million.

 

Hernandez, then vice governor, then took his oath as governor even after Ejercito tried to hold on to his office at the provincial capitol while his followers picketed the premises.

 

Ejercito left on May 30, 2014 upon the prodding of his uncle former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. —NB, GMA News