Jose Pimentel Ejercito Jr.[2] (Tagalog: [hoˈse pimenˈtel ɛhɛrˈsɪtɔ]; born February 17, 1963), also known as Jinggoy Estrada,[4] is a Filipino politician and film actor who has been a Senator since 2022, and previously from 2004 to 2016. He was the president pro tempore of the Senate from 2007 to 2013, and briefly became Senate President in acting capacity after Juan Ponce Enrile's resignation. Before serving in the Senate, he was the vice mayor (1988–1992) and later mayor (1992–2001) of San Juan when it was still a municipality.

Jinggoy Estrada
Senator of the Philippines
Assumed office
June 30, 2022
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2016
President of the Senate of the Philippines
Acting
In office
June 5, 2013 – July 22, 2013[1]
Preceded byJuan Ponce Enrile
Succeeded byFranklin Drilon
President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
In office
July 23, 2007 – June 30, 2013
Preceded byJuan Flavier
Succeeded byRalph Recto
Mayor of San Juan
In office
June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Vice MayorPhilip Cezar
Preceded byAdolfo Sto. Domingo
Succeeded byJV Ejercito
Vice Mayor of San Juan, Metro Manila
In office
June 30, 1988 – June 30, 1992
Succeeded byPhilip Cezar
Personal details
Born
Jose Pimentel Ejercito Jr.[2]

(1963-02-17) February 17, 1963 (age 61)
Manila, Philippines
Political partyPwersa ng Masang Pilipino
Spouse
Ma. Presentacion Vitug
(m. 1989)
Children4, including Julian
Parent(s)Joseph Estrada (father)
Loi Estrada (mother)
ResidenceSan Juan, Metro Manila
Alma materUniversity of the Philippines Manila (AB)
Lyceum of the Philippines University (LL.B)
Occupation
  • Actor
  • film producer
  • politician
Websitejinggoyestrada.ph
YouTube information
Channel
Years active2020–present
Genres
Subscribers75 thousand[3]
Total views3.7 million[3]

Last updated: May 3, 2023
Criminal statusReleased on bail pending appeal
Conviction(s)
One count of direct bribery under Section 210 of the Revised Penal Code
Criminal penalty8–9 years and 4 months of imprisonment (for direct bribery)
2 years and 4 months–3 years, 6 months and 20 days of imprisonment (for indirect bribery) and a fine of 3 million
Suspension from holding public office and temporary disqualification from exercising the right to vote

Estrada has been detained twice for corruption charges. In 2001, he and his father, ousted president Joseph Estrada, were arrested after being charged with plunder. He was released in 2003, elected to the Senate in 2004, and was acquitted in 2007.[5] In 2014, he was charged and detained for allegedly embezzling 183 million from his discretionary funds in a scandal known as the pork barrel scam.[6] In 2016, he was released after being allowed to post bail. He sought reelection in the 2019 Senate election but lost. He ran again in 2022 and won a Senate seat.[7] In 2024, Estrada was convicted on one count of committing direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery, but acquitted on charges of plunder over the use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund. He was sentenced to 8 to 9 years for direct bribery, 2 to 3 years for indirect bribery and ordered to pay a fine of 3 million[8]

Outside politics, Estrada is also an actor like his father appearing in numerous films in action star roles. He won the Best Actor Award in the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival for the film Katas ng Saudi, the award is the one of the most-sought and prestigious distinction among Filipino actors.

Early life and education edit

Estrada was born on February 17, 1963, in Manila. He finished his primary and secondary education at the Ateneo de Manila University and earned a degree in A.B. Economics from the University of the Philippines Manila. He took up Bachelor of Laws for four years at the Lyceum of the Philippines University while serving as Vice Mayor of the then Municipality of San Juan at the age of 25. He was also bestowed an honorary Doctorate in Humanities in 2007 by the Laguna State Polytechnic University.

Political career edit

Mayor of San Juan (1992–2001) edit

In 1992, he became the youngest ever elected-local chief executive during the 1992 Philippine local elections at age 29. During his three consecutive terms as mayor, he spearheaded the construction of modernized barangay halls with daycare centers and various recreational areas such as gymnasiums, basketball courts and playgrounds. The renovation and repair of the San Juan National High School and other public elementary schools also took place, as well as the improvement and replacement of drainages, concreting of municipal roads, and the construction of the four-storey San Juan Medical Center and the San Juan Municipal Gymnasium. During his incumbency, San Juan gained the reputation of being one of the most progressive municipalities and the "most peaceful municipality in the Philippines".[9]

During his final tenure as mayor, he was sworn into office as the national president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) from 1998 to 2001.

Senator of the Philippines (2004–2016) edit

In 2004, he was elected as a senator. During his first term, he introduced at least 617 bills and resolutions and steered the passage of at least 16 bills either as a principal sponsor or principal author. Jinggoy is hailed as the second most productive and prolific senator, next to Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who filed the most bills and resolutions in the Senate.[10]

On July 23, 2007, Estrada was elected as Senate president pro tempore.

On August 15, 2007, the Supreme Court voted 13–0 to uphold the Sandiganbayan's decision to grant his bail in connection with his plunder case before the graft court. His father, former president Joseph Estrada was the main accused in that plunder case and was subsequently convicted. However, Estrada was immediately pardoned by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.[11] On September 11, 2007, Estrada introduced Senate Bill 1556, proposing to make ROTC mandatory for all college students.

Jinggoy was acquitted in the plunder charge.[12]

In 2010, he was re-elected as a senator, finishing in 2nd place. During the opening of the 15th Congress on July 26, 2010, he was re-elected as Senate president pro tempore.

During his stint in the Senate, he had been consistently hailed as one of the very few senators who scored perfect attendance, with no absence or late arrival during the chamber's plenary sessions.[13]

Batas Kasambahay edit

Estrada is the principal author of the Kasambahay Law, or the law promoting the interests and welfare of the domestic workers in the Philippines. Republic Act No. 10361, or simply the "Kasambahay Law", prescribed standards, privileges, and rights of the domestic workers.[14]

Hong Kong Airport incident edit

In August 2010, Estrada claimed that while traveling to Hong Kong, he experienced a backlash of the emotions surrounding the death of eight nationals from Hong Kong during the 2010 Manila hostage crisis. According to him, as he passed through the immigration desk in Hong Kong, officers threw back his passport at him after checking it.[15]

Estrada said the officer may not have known who he was because he used a "regular passport" for personal travel. He also said that he "understood the pain being felt by many Hong Kong nationals".[15]

According to Apple Daily, the Hong Kong immigration department recorded that Estrada visited Hong Kong with a diplomat passport and that from an alleged video surveillance record, he and three other Filipinos were accompanied by staff from the Philippine embassy and had arranged to go through the privileged passage for diplomats. The immigration officer handed back the passport to the Philippines embassy staff, not to Estrada.[16]

2019 Senate campaign edit

Estrada ran for a comeback to the Senate in the 2019 Philippine Senate election.[17] His half-brother, JV Ejercito, also sought a Senate reelection. During the campaign, the half-siblings had a disagreement[18] in the idea of them running at the same time. He was named to the Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial slate.[19] However, he lost, placing 15th in the final tally, while Ejercito ended up in the 13th place, just a spot outside the winning circle. After conceding defeat, he wished that Senator Nancy Binay would make it over Ejercito, with both senators vying for the last spot in the partial and unofficial count. JV Ejercito responded by telling Estrada that he placed 13th in his own hometown San Juan, telling him “It’s painful to accept that even in your own bailiwick you are unwanted".[20]

Senator of the Philippines (2022–present) edit

 
Estrada speaking at a UniTeam Alliance campaign rally in Quezon City on April 13, 2022

Estrada sought for a comeback to the Senate once again in the 2022 Philippine Senate election.[21] He was named to the senatorial slate of UniTeam Alliance and openly endorsed the eventually successful candidacies of Bongbong Marcos for president and Sara Duterte for vice president. For the second straight time, his half-brother, JV Ejercito, also ran for senator on the same election. He won as the 12th placer, finally earning his third nonconsecutive term,[22] while Ejercito was also successful as he placed 10th.[23] Estrada chairs the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation.

In October 2022, Estrada said he was thinking of a proposal to ban all Korean dramas in the Philippines, saying that "if we continue showing Korean telenovelas, our citizens praise the Koreans while Filipino artists continue losing jobs and money."[24][25] Estrada clarified that he was only frustrated "that while we are only too eager and willing to celebrate South Korea's entertainment industry, we have sadly allowed our own to deteriorate because of the lack of support from the movie going public."[26][27]

On January 18, 2024, Estrada was found guilty of one count of direct bribery and two counts of indirect bribery, as well as acquitted of plunder in relation to the utilization of the Priority Development Assistance Fund. He was sentenced to eight to nine years in prison for direct bribery and two to three years for indirect bribery. He was also ordered to pay a fine of 3 million. In addition to the criminal and civil penalties, the conviction also carries with it accessory penalties of suspension from holding public office and deprivation of right to suffrage. His legal team has said that they intend to appeal the conviction.[28]

Involvement in the pork barrel scam edit

 
Estrada with Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla after Revilla's Salamat, Kaibigan speech of June 9, 2014

Estrada was accused of another plunder charge at the Ombudsman relating to Janet Lim-Napoles' pork barrel scam involving ₱10 billion in public funds. Two other senators—Juan Ponce Enrile and Bong Revilla—as well as more than two dozens individuals are charged with him. Estrada is accused of pocketing PHP183 million in kickbacks from fake projects.[29][30][31]

A report by the Commission on Audit was released on August 16, 2013, showing alleged misuse of funds by lawmakers who allegedly endorsed part of their congressional allocations to bogus non-governmental organizations.[29] The accusations were the subject of a Senate probe that began later that month.[29]

The Department of Justice filed its case against Estrada, Enrile and Revilla before the Ombudsman on September 16, 2013.[32][33]

On June 23, 2014, Estrada was arrested and detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City.[29] The Senate on September 2, 2014, suspended Estrada from his position for 90 days.[6][34]

On September 16, 2017, the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court released its resolution granting bail to Estrada.[35]

On February 22, 2019, Estrada filed a request for a demurrer before the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division, asking the court to deviate from established procedure and to allow him to challenge the sufficiency of evidence midway into the trial.[36][37][38] In March 2019, the court granted Estrada and his co-accused 10 days to file their respective demurrers; prosecution was also granted 10 days to respond.[37]

Other controversies edit

COVID-19 violations edit

On May 3, 2020, Estrada was arrested over alleged violations of the COVID-19 community quarantine rules in San Juan. He said that he had been distributing relief goods to residents of the city when policemen in two patrol cars arrived at the scene and invited him to the local precinct.[39]

Filmography edit

Movies edit

As actor edit

As executive producer edit

Television edit

Awards edit

  • Award of Excellence, Asusasyon ng mga Kumentarista at Anaunser ng Pilipinas, 1998
  • Annual Young Achievers Award for Government and Public Sector, 1999
  • Most Outstanding Government Service Award, Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc., 2011
  • Lifetime Achievement Award, Gawad Amerika, 2012
  • Men Who Matter, People Asia, 2012
  • Distinguished Alumnus in Good Governance Award, University of the Philippines Alumni Association, 2013
Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
2000 PMPC Star Awards for Television Male Star of the Night Won[40]

References edit

  1. ^ "COURTESY CALL WITH ACTING SENATE PRESIDENT ESTRADA". senate.gov.ph.
  2. ^ a b Dizon, Nikko (April 14, 2015). "Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla use aliases, says Drilon". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "About Jinggoy Estrada Official". YouTube.
  4. ^ "27. ESTRADA, JINGGOY". Vote Pilipinas. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  5. ^ "Jinggoy eyes Senate comeback after failed 2019 bid". The Philippine Star. October 3, 2021. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "TIMELINE: Jinggoy's arrest and detention for plunder case in PDAF scam". GMA News Online. June 23, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  7. ^ "LIVE UPDATES: Proclamation of 12 winning senators – 2022 Philippine elections". Rappler. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  8. ^ "Jinggoy Estrada acquitted of plunder, convicted of bribery in pork barrel scam". Rappler. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  9. ^ "Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada - Senate of the Philippines". Archived from the original on January 14, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  10. ^ "Miriam has the most number of bills, resolutions". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "(Update) SC upholds bail for Jinggoy". GMA News Online. August 15, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  12. ^ "Erap guilty of plunder, sentenced to reclusion perpetua". GMA News Online. September 12, 2007. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "Jinggoy scores perfect attendance". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  14. ^ Gita, Ruth Abbey (August 14, 2015). "Dole urged to step implementation of Kasambahay Law". Sunstar.com.ph. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  15. ^ a b Jinggoy, Kris put up with Hong Kong rage Archived August 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, August 28, 2010
  16. ^ Son of Former President lied about having his passport thrown by officers in Hong Kong, Apple Daily, August 29, 2010 Archived September 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ "Jinggoy Estrada joins Senate race anew". Philstar.com. October 16, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  18. ^ Torregoza, Hannah. "Senator JV Ejercito says plunder case against his father was more political than legal". news.mb.com.ph. Archived from the original on March 5, 2019. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  19. ^ Meniano, Sarwell (November 7, 2018). "Hugpong ng Pagbabago picks 15 senatorial bets for 2019". Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  20. ^ Esguerra, Christian V. "Jinggoy hails Nancy, mocks half-brother JV in battle for 12th spot". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  21. ^ Buan, Lian (December 1, 2021). "'Napag-initan:' Bongbong Marcos campaigns for plunder defendant Jinggoy Estrada". Rappler. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  22. ^ Ranada, Pia (September 29, 2021). "House of Estrada seeks comeback: JV, Jinggoy running for senator in 2022". Rappler. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "Together again: Siblings JV Ejercito, Jinggoy Estrada make it to Senate 'Magic 12'". Rappler. September 29, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  24. ^ Daphne Galvez (October 19, 2022). "Banning K-dramas sometimes crosses my mind – Estrada". Inquirer Entertainment. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  25. ^ Faith Yuen Wei Ragasa (October 19, 2022). "Estrada ponders ban on K-dramas, cites need to support local shows". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  26. ^ Maila Ager (October 19, 2022). "Jinggoy Estrada: Just airing frustration but no plans to suggest ban of K-dramas". Inquirer News. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  27. ^ "Jinggoy Estrada clarifies K-drama comment, says PH entertainment 'barely surviving'". Rappler. October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  28. ^ "Jinggoy Estrada acquitted of plunder, convicted of bribery in pork barrel scam". Rappler. January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  29. ^ a b c d Merez, Arianne (September 15, 2017). "TIMELINE: Jinggoy Estrada's pork barrel scam case". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  30. ^ Punay, Edu (August 1, 2018). "SC junks Jinggoy Estrada's bid to stop PDAF scam trial". Philstar. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  31. ^ Bernal, Buena (June 6, 2014). "3 PH senators charged with plunder over PDAF scam". Rappler.com. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  32. ^ "Plunder complaints vs Estrada, JPE, Revilla". Rappler.com. September 16, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  33. ^ "Navigating the PDAF scam affidavits". Rappler.com. November 4, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  34. ^ "Senate suspends Jinggoy Estrada over plunder raps". GMA News Online. September 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  35. ^ Cayabyab, Marc Jayson (September 16, 2017). "No strong evidence Jinggoy is main plunderer – Sandigan". Inquirer.net. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  36. ^ "Prosecution opposes Jinggoy's bid to file demurrer in plunder case". Manila Bulletin News. March 4, 2019. Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  37. ^ a b "Sandiganbayan allows Estrada, Napoles to file plea to dismiss plunder case". Philippine Star. March 20, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  38. ^ Marcelo, Elizabeth (March 5, 2019). "Ombudsman blocks Jinggoy Estrada's bid to dismiss plunder case". Philippine Star. Retrieved April 1, 2019.
  39. ^ "Ex-senator Jinggoy Estrada brought to police station over alleged quarantine violations". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on May 9, 2020. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  40. ^ "Happy, triumphant faces at the 14th PMPC Star Awards for TV". The Philippine Star. October 9, 2000. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

External links edit

Political offices
Preceded by
Adolfo Sto. Domingo
Mayor of San Juan
1992–2001
Succeeded by
Senate of the Philippines
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines
2007–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by President of the Senate of the Philippines
Acting

2013
Succeeded by