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Disqualified Gov. ER Ejercito leaves post temporarily upon Erap’s advice
(Updated 12:37 p.m.) Disqualified Laguna Governor Emilio Ramon "ER" Ejercito decided to leave the provincial capitol Friday after he was convinced by his uncle, former President and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.
Estrada went to the capitol Friday morning and had a closed-door meeting with Ejercito. After a 20-minute meeting, the two addressed Ejercito's supporters who gathered at the capitol lobby and it was there Estrada appealed to his nephew.
“Governor, makinig ka naman sa akin. Ako'y naninikluhod na nakikiusap sa iyo. Ikaw ay sumama na sa akin. Bumaba na tayo. Bumaba ka na alang-alang sa katahimikan at kapayapaan ng lalawigan na mahal na mahal mo rin,” Estrada said.
“Sumama ka na. Mag-antay na tayo ng desisyon at kung sakali mang hindi maganda ang desisyon, ibabalik ka ng taumbayan,” Estrada assured his nephew.
When Estrada asked Ejercito's supporters if they would allow their disqualified governor to step down for the peace and order of the province, they shouted, “Hindi! (No!).”
After Estrada's speech, Ejercito put his uncle's hand on his forehead and embraced him.
Laguna provincial administrator Leonardo Ragaza Jr. said Ejercito's move aimed to minimize the chances of the disqualified governor's supporters getting hurt if the row drags on.
"Opo, kinumbinsi ng mayor ng Maynila, ng dating Pangulo, ang ating mahal na gobernador na pansamantalang bumaba... upang maiwasan ang may masaktan," Ragaza said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Ragaza added that while the governor's supporters did not take kindly to this, Ejercito decided to accept his uncle's advice.
But he stressed the act of stepping down is "temporary," since there is still a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning the governor's disqualification.
"Nagdesisyon ang mahal na gobernador na bumaba pansamantala," Ragaza said.
Estrada arrived on Friday morning at the capitol of Laguna to meet Ejercito, a television report said.
Ejercito has been holding out since the serving of the formal order for him to relinquish his post to now Governor Ramil Hernandez last Wednesday. Hernandez, meanwhile, is holding office at the provincial sports complex.
The Commission on Elections earlier ordered the disqualification of Ejercito for overspending during the May 2013 elections.
Ejercito shelled out P6 million in just one contract for a television advertisement for his campaign last year. Ejercito is allowed to spend only P4.5 million for his entire campaign but documents showed he spent around P23.5 million.
The Comelec and the Department of Interior and Local Government have instructed government units in Laguna to recognize Hernandez as governor even though he is not holding office at the capitol.
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr said they will not force Ejercito out of the capitol if he wants to stay there as long as he does not execute the function of a governor.
Lawyer Enrique dela Cruz, counsel of Ejercito, earlier said his client requested Comelec and DILG that he be allowed to stay in the governor's office for several days until the SC issues a decision on his appeal regarding the poll body's order. — Joel Locsin with Amita O. Legaspi/KG/LBG/RSJ, GMA News
“Para sa kapayapaan at katahimikan ng ating lalawigan, ako po ay mahigpit na pinakiusapan ng ating mahal na pangulo na pansamantalang bumaba para maiwasan ang gulo at may masaktan,” Ejercito told the crowd gathered at the capitol building lobby.
“Hintayin po natin ang June 17, ang huling desisyon ng Korte Suprema para tayo ay makakuha ng status quo (order),” he added.
Ejercito embraced Estrada before they went down the stage and left the provincial capitol together.
Estrada went to the capitol Friday morning and had a closed-door meeting with Ejercito. After a 20-minute meeting, the two addressed Ejercito's supporters who gathered at the capitol lobby and it was there Estrada appealed to his nephew.
“Governor, makinig ka naman sa akin. Ako'y naninikluhod na nakikiusap sa iyo. Ikaw ay sumama na sa akin. Bumaba na tayo. Bumaba ka na alang-alang sa katahimikan at kapayapaan ng lalawigan na mahal na mahal mo rin,” Estrada said.
“Sumama ka na. Mag-antay na tayo ng desisyon at kung sakali mang hindi maganda ang desisyon, ibabalik ka ng taumbayan,” Estrada assured his nephew.
When Estrada asked Ejercito's supporters if they would allow their disqualified governor to step down for the peace and order of the province, they shouted, “Hindi! (No!).”
After Estrada's speech, Ejercito put his uncle's hand on his forehead and embraced him.
Laguna provincial administrator Leonardo Ragaza Jr. said Ejercito's move aimed to minimize the chances of the disqualified governor's supporters getting hurt if the row drags on.
"Opo, kinumbinsi ng mayor ng Maynila, ng dating Pangulo, ang ating mahal na gobernador na pansamantalang bumaba... upang maiwasan ang may masaktan," Ragaza said in an interview on dzBB radio.
Ragaza added that while the governor's supporters did not take kindly to this, Ejercito decided to accept his uncle's advice.
But he stressed the act of stepping down is "temporary," since there is still a pending petition before the Supreme Court questioning the governor's disqualification.
"Nagdesisyon ang mahal na gobernador na bumaba pansamantala," Ragaza said.
Estrada arrived on Friday morning at the capitol of Laguna to meet Ejercito, a television report said.
Ejercito has been holding out since the serving of the formal order for him to relinquish his post to now Governor Ramil Hernandez last Wednesday. Hernandez, meanwhile, is holding office at the provincial sports complex.
The Commission on Elections earlier ordered the disqualification of Ejercito for overspending during the May 2013 elections.
Ejercito shelled out P6 million in just one contract for a television advertisement for his campaign last year. Ejercito is allowed to spend only P4.5 million for his entire campaign but documents showed he spent around P23.5 million.
The Comelec and the Department of Interior and Local Government have instructed government units in Laguna to recognize Hernandez as governor even though he is not holding office at the capitol.
Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr said they will not force Ejercito out of the capitol if he wants to stay there as long as he does not execute the function of a governor.
Lawyer Enrique dela Cruz, counsel of Ejercito, earlier said his client requested Comelec and DILG that he be allowed to stay in the governor's office for several days until the SC issues a decision on his appeal regarding the poll body's order. — Joel Locsin with Amita O. Legaspi/KG/LBG/RSJ, GMA News
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