THE ADMINISTRATION OF JOSEPH “ERAP” ESTRADA
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Biography
Name: Joseph Estrada, original name Joseph Ejercito
Date of Birth: April 19, 1937
Place of Birth: Tondo, Manila
Manila address: San Juan, Metro Manila
Parents: Emilio Ejercito Sr. (1898–1977) and Maria Marcelo
Educational Attainment
Primary: Ateneo Elementary School in 1951
Secondary: Ateneo High School
Tertiary: enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering course
at the Mapúa Institute of Technology
Career Timeline:
At the age of 13, he entered fashion and
ramp modeling career
After he dropped out from college on his
early twenties, he became a film actor.
1954, ENTERTAINMENT: Estrada
started his acting career with the film
Kandelerong Pilak
From then on, he starred as a lead actor in
more than 100 films, more than half of
which he produced himself.
As Politician
Estrada entered politics in 1967, running for mayor of San Juan, failing and only succeeding in 1969
after winning an electoral protest against Braulio Sto. Domingo.
He was elected Senator from 1987 up to 1992
In 1992, he was elected Vice President of the Philippines and concurrently served as Chairman of the
Presidential Anti –Crime Commission (PACC). The latter lost operational control over its task forces
with the issuances of Executive Order no. 221 in January 1995. He resigned as PACC Chairman in
1997.
Estrada agreed to be the running mate of business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. under the
Nationalist People’s Coalition Party (NPC). He won, while Cojuangco lost to Fidel Ramos.
His Presidency
On May 1998, he was elected as the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines by landslide—
11 million votes, the biggest number registered for a single candidate in Philippine election history.
Foreign investments and policies
The Erap administration is mostly responsible for opening up the Philippines to foreign
businesses with laws like:
RA 8762 (Retail Trade Liberalization Act)
RA 8791 (New General Banking Act)
RA 8756 (Incentives for Regional Headquarters of
Foreign Multinationals) and
signing the Second Philippines-US Visiting Forces
Agreement (yes the VFA isn’t business related but it’s
keeping with the theme of inviting foreign powers)
President Estrada strengthened bilateral ties with
neighboring countries
Economy
Estrada administration failed to capitalize on the
gains of the previous administration. Economic
performance was hurt by the Asian Financial
Crisis and climatic disturbance that caused
extremes of dry and wet weather
the fiscal deficit had doubled to more than P100
billion from a low of P49 billion in 1998.
Agrarian Reform
widened the coverage of the
Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP)
The latter's administration
distributed more than
523,000 hectares of land to
305,000 landless farmers,
including land owned by the
traditional rural elite.
Issued Executive Order
(EO) 151, also known as
Farmer's Trust Fund
launched the Magkabalikat Para sa Kaunlarang Agraryo or MAGKASAKA.
"Agrikulturang Maka Masa"
Anti-crime Task Forces
In 1998, by virtue of Executive Order No.8, President Estrada created the Presidential Anti-
Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF)
He also created the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) in 1999,
War against MILF
March 21, 2000, President Joseph
Ejercito Estrada declared an "all-out-
war" against the MILF.
Death Penalty
The death penalty law in the Philippines
was reinforced during the incumbency of
Estrada's predecessor, Fidel Ramos.
However, the first execution by injection
took place under Estrada's administration.
Six years after its re imposition, more
than 1,200 individuals have been
sentenced to death and seven convicts
have been executed through lethal
injection.
ERAP Para sa Mahirap
ERAP (Education, Research and Assistance Program) Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-
profit corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1,
1998.
Controversies during his presidency
PCSO funding controversy
Midnight Cabinet
Estrada mistresses
Hot cars scandal
The Manila Times controversy
The Philippine Daily Inquirer ads pullout
Building laws violation
Juetenggate scandal
Impeachment trial
The Estrada presidency was soon dogged by charges of plunder and corruption.
EDSA II
anti-Estrada protesters gathered in front of the EDSA Shrine
SCRIPT:
Biography
Joseph Estrada, original name Joseph Ejercito was born in Tondo, Manila on April 19, 1937
He belonged to a wealthy family and was the eighth of ten children of Emilio Ejercito Sr. (1898–
1977) and his wife, Maria Marcelo (1905–2009).
Educational Attainment
After graduating from the Ateneo Elementary School in 1951, he was expelled during his second year
of secondary studies at the Ateneo High School for disciplinary conduct. Later during college, he
enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering course at the Mapúa Institute of Technology to
please his father. He would leave once again and later transferred to Central Colleges of the
Philippines College of Engineering but dropped out.
Career Timeline:
At the age of 13, he entered fashion and ramp modeling career
After he dropped out from college on his early twenties, he became a film actor. Forbidden by his
parents to use the family name, he adopted the screen name Erap Estrada.
1954, ENTERTAINMENT: Estrada started his acting career with the film Kandelerong Pilak. , When
he was starting in the entertainment industry, he usually played the role of the villain/antagonist.
From then on, he starred as a lead actor in more than 100 films,usually portraying a swashbuckling
tough guy who defends the poor against the corrupt establishment. He also produced some 75 films.
In his 33 years in the entertainment industry, he received five Best Actor Awards from Filipino
Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences and was was placed in the FAMAS Hall of Fame twice—in
1981 and in 1984.
As Politician:
Estrada entered politics in 1967, running for mayor of San Juan, failing and only succeeding in 1969
after winning an electoral protest against Braulio Sto. Domingo. He served for 16 continuous years.
He was elected Senator from 1987 up to 1992 and as a lawmaker, he was appointed Chairman of the
committees on Cultural, Rural Development, and Public Works. He was also Vice Chairman of the
Committees on Health, Natural Resources and Urban Planning. He was credited with the passage of
some major pieces of legislation, the bills on irrigation projects and protection and propagation of
carabaos,among others. As senator, he voted to terminate the RP-US Military Bases Agreement,
which led to the historic withdrawal of American servicemen from the Clark Air Base in Pampanga
and the Subic Naval Base in Zambales. In 1989, he was cited by the Philippine Free Press as one of
the “Three Outstanding Senators of the Year”.
In 1992, he was elected Vice President of the Philippines and concurrently served as Chairman of the
Presidential Anti –Crime Commission (PACC). The latter lost operational control over its task forces
with the issuances of Executive Order no. 221 in January 1995. He resigned as PACC Chairman in
1997.
Estrada agreed to be the running mate of business tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. under the
Nationalist People’s Coalition Party (NPC). He won, while Cojuangco lost to Fidel Ramos.
His Presendency:
Estrada managed to capture nearly 40 percent of the vote, handily defeating his nearest rival, House
Speaker José de Venecia, who was endorsed by Fidel Ramos but garnered only 15.9 percent. The
margin of victory was the largest in a free election in the history of the Philippines, and Estrada was
officially declared president by Congress on May 29, 1998.
Foreign investments and policies
The Erap administration is mostly responsible for opening up the Philippines to foreign
businesses with laws like:
RA 8762 (Retail Trade Liberalization Act)
RA 8791 (New General Banking Act)
RA 8756 (Incentives for Regional Headquarters of Foreign Multinationals) and
signing the Second Philippines-US Visiting Forces Agreement (yes the VFA isn’t
business related but it’s keeping with the theme of inviting foreign powers)
a) The primary effect of the Agreement is to require the U.S. government (1) to
notify Philippine authorities when it becomes aware of the apprehension, arrest
or detention of any Philippine personnel visiting the U.S. and (2) when so
requested by the Philippine government, to ask the appropriate authorities to
waive jurisdiction in favor of RP, except cases of special interest to the U.S.
departments of State or Defense
It successfully hosted the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 1998 and undertook
confidence-building measures with China over South China Sea issue through a meeting
in March 1999.[24] President Estrada strengthened bilateral ties with neighboring
countries with visits to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and
South Korea
Apart from that, records will show that until January 20, 2001, he did not sign a single
government contract with a sovereign guarantee.
Agrarian Reform
The Estrada administration widened the coverage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Program (CARP) to the landless peasants in the country side. The latter's administration
distributed more than 266,000 hectares of land to 175,000 landless farmers, including land
owned by the traditional rural elite. (Total of 523,000 hectares to 305,000 farmers during
his 2nd year as president).[13] In September 1999, he issued Executive Order (EO) 151,
also known as Farmer's Trust Fund, which allows the voluntary consolidation of small farm
operation into medium and large scale integrated enterprise that can access long-term
capital. President Estrada launched the Magkabalikat Para sa Kaunlarang Agraryo or
MAGKASAKA. The DAR forged into joint ventures with private investors into agrarian
sector to make FBs competitive.[14] In 1999 a huge fund was allocated to agricultural
programs.[15] One of which is the "Agrikulturang Maka Masa", through which it achieved
an output growth of 6 percent, a record high at the time,[10] thereby lowering the inflation
rate from 11 percent in January 1999 to just a little over 3 percent by November of the same
year.[10]
Economy
Estrada administration failed to capitalize on the gains of the previous administration.
Economic performance was hurt by the Asian Financial Crisis and climatic disturbance that
caused extremes of dry and wet weather
Toward the end of Estrada's administration, the fiscal deficit had doubled to more than
P100 billion from a low of P49 billion in 1998. Despite such setbacks, the rate of GNP in
1999 increased to 3.6 percent from 0.1 percent in 1998, and the GDP posted a 4.0 percent
growth rate, up from a low of -0.5 percent in 1998. Debt reached P2.1 trillion in 1999. The
inflation rate came down from 11 percent in January 1999 to just a little over 3 percent by
November of the same year. This was in part due to the agricultural program Agrikulturang
Maka Masa, through which it achieved an output growth of 6 percent, a record high at the
time.
Anti-crime Task forces
In 1998, by virtue of Executive Order No.8, President Estrada created the Presidential Anti-
Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) with the objective of minimizing, if not totally
eradicating, car theft and worsening kidnapping cases in the country and gave the PNP a
+53% trust rating for the first time in history. Panfilo Lacson was its first head.
He also created the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) in 1999, with the
objective of formulating and implementing a concerted of action of all law enforcement,
intelligence and other government agencies for the prevention and control of transnational
crime
War against MILF
March 21, 2000, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada declared an "all-out-war" against the
MILF. For the next three months of the war, Camp Abubakar, headquarters of the MILF,
fell along with other 13 major camps and 43 minor camps, and then all of which became
under controlled by the government. The MILF leader Salamat Hashim fled the country and
went to Malaysia. On July 10 of the same year, the President went to Minadanao and raised
the Philippine flag symbolizing victory.
Death Penalty
The death penalty law in the Philippines was reinforced during the incumbency of Estrada's
predecessor, Fidel Ramos. However, the first execution by injection took place under
Estrada's administration. On February 5, 1999, Leo Echegaray, a house painter, was
executed for repeatedly raping his stepdaughter. He was the first convict to be executed
since the re-imposition of death penalty in 1993
Six years after its re imposition, more than 1,200 individuals have been sentenced to death
and seven convicts have been executed through lethal injection.
Masa format on radio
During his term, Estrada ordered to the National Telecommunications Commission by the
adoption of Filipino language-based radio format known as masa. Named for his icon Masa
(or Masses), all radio stations adopted the masa format effective since 1998, as DJ's wanted
to replace English language-based stations immediately to air OPM songs and requests.
After his term in 2001, several FM stations adopted the masa format nationwide until this
day.
ERAP Para sa Mahirap
ERAP (Education, Research and Assistance Program) Foundation, Inc. is a non-stock, non-
profit corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 1,
1998.
Programs under this project consists of:
1. Scholarship program for the poor and less privileged, but deserving Filipino students
all over the country
2. Mutual assistance and self-help programs as well as other forms of assistance
3. Programs of cooperation with private, government and other institutions
Controversies during his presidency
PCSO funding controversy
Midnight Cabinet
Estrada mistresses
Hot cars scandal
The Manila Times controversy
The Philippine Daily Inquirer ads pullout
Building laws violation
Juetenggate scandal
Impeachment trial
Not even halfway through Estrada’s 6-year term, allegations that Estrada committed plunder and
engaged in corruption led to an impeachment trial in the Senate by late-2000. The case focused on
allegations that Estrada received some P545 million from jueteng, an illegal numbers game;
misappropriated some P130 million collection of tobacco sin taxes; profitted some P189.7 million
from the share sale of Bell Corp, a real estate firm owned by his friend, and; owned a P3.2 billion
funds in the fictitious Jose Velarde bank account in Equitable-PCI Bank.
EDSA II
In the evening of January 16, 2001, the impeachment court, whose majority were political allies of
Estrada,[50] voted not to open an envelope that was said to contain incriminating evidence against the
president. The final vote was 11–10, in favor of keeping the envelope closed. The prosecution panel
(of congressmen and lawyers) walked out of the Impeachment Court in protest of this vote. Others
noted that the walkout merited a contempt of court which Davide, intentionally or unintentionally, did
not enforce.[51] The afternoon schedule of television networks covering the Impeachment were pre-
empted by the prolongation of the day's court session due to the issue of this envelope. The evening
telenovelas of networks were pushed back for up to two hours. That night, anti-Estrada protesters
gathered in front of the EDSA Shrine at Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, not too far away from the site
of the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos. A political turmoil ensued
and the clamor for Estrada's resignation became stronger than ever. In the following days, the number
of protesters grew to the hundreds of thousands.
On January 19, 2001, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, seeing the political upheaval throughout
the country, decided to withdraw its support from the president and transfer its allegiance to the vice
president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The following day, the Supreme Court declared that the seat of
presidency was vacant.
His administration was marked by numerous scandals, impeachments, poor economic progress, and a
subsequent conviction for plunder. He was later succeeded by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in support of
People Power III in EDSA. He was the first president to be figuratively impeached and the second to
escape the nation as a result of being driven out of office. His blatantly corrupt leadership caused the
Philippine economy to be at its worst. He may have accomplished some things, but the legacy he
seems to have left is hardly worth remembering or talking about. Being corrupt was his legacy that
people will remember upon a single utter of his name.
