Name of President: JOSEPH ESTRADA

Term: 2 years and 204 days (June 30, 1998, to January 20, 2001)

I. Introduction of the Topic

Activity: JUMBLED WORDS

The letters of the words below are jumbled. Rearrange the jumbled letters to form meaningful
Words. The final word must also be formed in the highlighted vertical grid.
1.
MECNMTPAIEH
2. DSEA
3. ETNJGUE
4. RCPUORT
5. RPAE
6. DPLRENU
7. OATCR

JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA

Joseph Ejercito Estrada, also known by the nickname Erap, is a Filipino politician and
former actor who served as the 13 th president of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, 9 th vice
president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, and the 26th mayor of the City of Manila, the
country's capital, from 2013 to 2019. In 2001, he became the first president in Asia to be impeached
from an executive role and resigned from power [ CITATION Reu071 \l 1033 ].

Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over a hundred films in an
acting career spanning some three decades, and model, who was started as a fashion and ramp
model at the age of 13. He used his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics, serving as Mayor
of San Juan from 1969 to 1986, as Senator from 1987 to 1992, then as Vice President under
President Fidel V. Ramos from 1992 to 1998 [ CITATION Phi13 \l 1033 ].

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

José Marcelo Ejército was born at 8:25 pm on April 19, 1937 in Tondo, an urban district
of Manila. His family later moved to the wealthy suburb of San Juan. He belonged to a wealthy
family, and was the eighth of ten children of Emilio Ejército Sr. (1898–1977) and his wife, Maria
Marcelo (1905–2009). 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
Mapú a Institute of Technology in an effort to please his father. He would leave once again and later
transferred to Central Colleges of the Philippines College of Engineering but dropped out.

In his twenties, he began a career as a drama actor, usually playing the role of the
villain/antagonist. He adopted the stage name "Joseph Estrada", as his mother objected to his
chosen career and his decision to quit schooling multiple times. He also acquired the nickname
"Erap" (a play on the Tagalog slang "pare", meaning 'buddy') from his friend, fellow actor Fernando
Poe Jr. [ CITATION Sin09 \l 1033 ].
PRESIDENCY OF JOSEPH EJERCITO ESTRADA
The Presidency of Joseph Estrada, also known as the Estrada Administration in
the Philippines spanned for 31 months from June 30, 1998, to January 20, 2001. Estrada reached
the pinnacle of his political career when he was elected President of the Republic in the May 11,
1998 national elections. With almost 11 million Filipinos writing his name on the ballot, his margin
of victory was the biggest ever registered in Philippine electoral history.

Speaking before millions gathered at his inaugural address in Manila, the newly elected
chief executive said his presidency would serve the Filipino masses whose welfare had long been
neglected. A line from his speech, "Walang kaibigan, walang kumpare, walang kamag-anak", was a
stern warning against anyone who would attempt to undermine his administration with influence-
peddling. Determined to bring his pro-poor platform to every facet of the government's operations,
he immediately ordered the removal of all sovereign guarantees on contracts for public projects
which would require the sovereign Filipino people to assume the financial losses of private
companies doing business with the government [ CITATION Sin09 \l 1033 ].

OVERVIEW OF ESTRADA PRESIDENCY

Estrada was inaugurated on June 30, 1998, in the historical town of Malolos in Bulacan
province in paying tribute to the cradle of the First Philippine Republic. That afternoon the new
president delivered his inaugural address at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta. He assumed office
amid the Asian Financial Crisis and with agricultural problems due to poor weather conditions,
thereby slowing the economic growth to -0.6% in 1998 from a 5.2% in 1997. The economy
recovered by 3.4% in 1999 and 4% in 2000. In 2000 he declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro
Islamic Liberation Front and captured its headquarters and other camps. However, allegations of
corruption spawned an impeachment trial in the Senate, and in 2001 Estrada was ousted from
power after the trial was aborted. The unmitigated corruption during his administration would
cause him to be charged and convicted for plunder [ CITATION Arc98 \l 1033 ].

In his Inaugural Address, Estrada said:

One hundred years after Kawit, fifty years after independence, twelve years after
EDSA, and seven years after the rejection of foreign bases, it is now the turn of the
masses to experience liberation. We stand in the shadow of those who fought to
make us free- free from foreign domination, free from domestic tyranny, free from
superpower dictation, free from economic backwardness.

MAJOR LEGISLATION SIGNED

 Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 (Republic Act No. 8749) – designed to protect and preserve
the environment and ensure the sustainable development of its natural resources.
 Incentives for Regional Headquarters of Foreign Multinationals (Republic Act No. 8756) –
The measure grants a host of incentives to multinational firms establishing their regional
hubs in the country. It also provides a tax- and duty-free operating environment for them,
and multiple entry visas to expatriates and their families, as well as a flat income tax rate of
15%.
 Retail Trade Liberalization Act (Republic Act No. 8762) – The bill dismantles 40 years of
state protectionism over the country's retail trade industry and opens the sector to big
foreign players. With the retail trade liberalization, well-known foreign players like France's
 Carrefour and Casino Group as well as the U.S.' Wal-Mart and JC Penney are already in the
process of negotiating with local partners.
 New General Banking Act (Republic Act No. 8791) – The measure opens up the local banking
industry to foreign players after almost 50 years of having it exclusively reserved and
protected for Filipino nationals. With the industry's liberalization, at least 10 foreign banks
have already established their presence in the Philippines.
 Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (Republic Act No. 8792) – Outlaw’s computer hacking and
provides opportunities for new businesses emerging from the Internet-driven New
Economy.
 New Securities Act (Republic Act No. 8799) – This law liberalizes the securities market by
shifting policy from merit regulation to full disclosure. With its strengthened provisions
against fraud, the measure is expected to pave the way for the full development of the
Philippine equities and securities market.

II. Projects
By only serving an approximate of 31 months, it’s easy to understand why Erap’s
accomplishments look thin compared to other Presidents. He didn’t have the best of starts,
as he was elected amid the fallout of the Asian financial crisis, and he didn’t exactly have the
best training to deal with economic issues [ CITATION Ong10 \l 1033 ].

1. Foreign investments
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 RP-US VFA.

He even attempted to revise the Constitution to change provisions that impeded the entry of
even more foreign investment.

These efforts were pretty much wasted however, since foreign investor confidence took big
hits when the government was accused of cronyism, incompetence, and corruption, which all
led to the aforementioned impeachment case [ CITATION Pos17 \l 1033 ].

2. Agriculture
He arguably did more to advance CARP than both Aquinos with EO 151, giving more than
500,000 hectares of land to more than 300,000 farmers.

a. Farmer’s Trust Fund

Achievement of these goals requires the voluntary consolidation of small farm
operations into medium and large scale
i. Farmer’s trust
» retain ownership and title to properties and share in the income of the
enterprise under an equitable arrangement.
ii. Service Consortium
» assist in securing capital resources
» chosen by the farmers or land rights holders
 » provide modernization requirements to put the Enterprise’s productivity at par
with international standards, and provide the critical arrangements for an
assured market.
iii. Asset Pool Formation
» assets shall be placed under the trusteeship service of a reputable banking
institution.
iv. Enterprise Business Plan
v. Insurance Coverage and Exit Option
» provide insurance protection to participating farmers and other groups in
case of force majeure or bad management
» also provide an exit option to the Parties. 

b. Agrikulturang Maka-MASA
Geared at expanding and revitalizing previous productivity enhancement programs.
Protect consumers by ensuring the safety and high quality of food items.
 Agrikulturang MakaMASA projects by the department addressed these three basic
tasks:
i. increasing productivity and improving competitiveness
ii. raising rural incomes and easing poverty; and
iii. promoting food security for every Filipino.

 Four central concerns:

i. Irrigation Development
ii. research and technology commercialization
iii. postharvest and processing modernization
iv. close partnership with investors and industry groups

3. Crime (PAOCTF)
EO No. 8 created the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOTF) that targeted
carnapping and kidnappings, and gave the PNP a +53% trust rating for the first time in history.
Though PAOCTF officers were later implicated in the murder of a publicist accused of spreading
propaganda against the then President [ CITATION Pos17 \l 1033 ].
 Targets heinous crimes and crimes committed by men in uniform
 Created in order to implement a fast-track anti-crime and anti-graft and corruption
action and adopt appropriate measures to ensure an effective and efficient anti-crime
drive.
 Causes or directs the immediate arrest, investigations and speedy prosecution of crime
syndicates, government officials and employees and their cohorts, with due regard to
constitutional processes. 

4. Lingap Para sa Pangarap

Emphasis on the 100 poorest families as the basic targeting unit. The program includes:
 Provision of health insurance to 100 poorest of the poor families
 Medical assistance fund to the government hospitals
 Sustansya Para sa Masa grant for community-based nutrition projects
 Garantisadong Pambata Program
5. E-Commerce Act
An act providing for the recognition and use of electronic commercial and non-commercial
transactions and documents, penalties for unlawful use thereof and for other purposes. It aims
to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, contracts and exchanges and
storage of information.

To recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic documents related to such

activities to promote the universal use of electronic transaction in the government and general
public.

6. Visiting Forces Agreement

Endorsed by the government of Joseph Estrada, and ratified by the Philippine Senate. It
grants extraterritorial and extrajudicial “rights” to US servicemen visiting the Philippines

It is a major step in the reconstruction of the U.S. - Philippine defense relationship.

III. Problems
Since the downfall of Marcos, Pres. Estrada had become the center of the deepest
political crisis that hit the Philippines. He was caught in various scandals forcing him to
spend hours pleading his innocence before the rehearse cheers of the busting crowds.

1998
1. Subic Bay leadership dispute
 During the 1998 presidential elections, the newly elected President Joseph Ejercito
Estrada issued Administrative Order No. 1, which ordered the removal of Richard Gordon as
Chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority or SBMA. As a replacement, Estrada
appointed Felicito Payumo as the new chairman. However, Gordon refused to step down
which have brought disputes in terms of leadership of the SBMA [ CITATION Bat98 \l
1033 ].
1999
1. The Philippine Daily Inquirer ads pullout
Estrada criticized the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the nation's most popular broadsheet
newspaper, for "bias, malice and fabrication" against him which might have prompted
several government organizations, pro-Estrada businesses, and movie producers
simultaneously pulled their advertisements in the Inquirer [CITATION 00Ma \l 1033 ].

2. The Manila Times controversy

In March, Estrada launched a libel suit against the country's oldest newspaper,
the Manila Times, over a story that alleged corruption in the awarding of a public works
project. When the owner apologized, the libel suit was dropped [CITATION 00Ma \l
1033 ]. According to Guillermo in 1999, within three months, the Manila Times was finally
sold to a housing magnate with no previous newspaper experience and was quickly shut
down.

3. BW Resources scandal
As stated by Lopez in 2000, one of the two reasons for the precipitous drop of the
Philippine stock market is the price manipulation and insider trading scandal involving
listed gaming concern BW Resources. The ensuing investigation led only to further
confusion when the head of the compliance and surveillance group of the Philippine Stock
Exchange (PSE) and his entire staff resigned saying "I believe I can no longer effectively do
my job." The events created a negative impression. The BW controversy undermined
foreign investor confidence in the stock market.

4. PCSO funding controversy

On 15 October 1998, the First Lady, Mrs. Loi Ejercito, registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission her private foundation which is the Partnership for the Poor
Foundation, Inc. that provides relief and livelihood to the poor. A few months after its
incorporation, the foundation received P100 million from the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office as donation. The donation far exceeded the PCSO's combined donation
of P65 million to regular beneficiaries like orphanages and hospitals. The complainants
consider this a conflict-of-interest [ CITATION Bat98 \l 1033 ].

5. Midnight Cabinet
Estrada was reported by his Chief of Staff Aprodicio Laquian to have allegedly spent
long hours drinking with shady characters as well as "midnight drinking sessions" with
some of his cabinet members during meetings.

6. Estrada mistresses
During the juetenggate scandal, Estrada's critics claimed that Estrada's mistresses
received financial benefits from the President. Hence, the Philippine prosecutors have said
 they will call President Joseph Estrada's wife and up to five mistresses to give evidence at
his Senate corruption trial [ CITATION BBC00 \l 1033 ].

7. Hot cars scandal

Rep. Magtanggol Gunigundo II (Valenzuela) exposes the assignment of Pres. Estrada of
some seized luxury vehicles and SUVs to his Cabinet Secretaries and favored political allies
through an obscure office "Presidential Retrieval Task Force." At first, Pres. Estrada resist
his critics of the call to return the "hot cars" to the Bureau of Customs, and challenged them
to file a case against him. But then, by November, the President instructs the Customs to
dispose the vehicles through an auction [ CITATION New99 \l 1033 ].

2000
1. Building laws violation
President Estrada and his family reportedly violated many constructions and
building laws in their real estate firms.

2. Juetenggate scandal
Luis Singson, the man who may bring down the president of the Philippines [ CITATION
Lan00 \l 1033 ] have alleged in October 2000 that he gave President Joseph Estrada Php 400
million as payoff from illegal gambling profits. On October 16, 2000, he accused the Estrada,
as the "lord of all jueteng lords" for receiving 10 million pesos protection money from
jueteng every month during his term of presidency.

3. Dacer–Corbito double murder case

Two persons, namely Salvador "Bubby" Dacer, publicist in the Philippines, and his
driver, Emmanuel Corbito, were abducted in Makati, the business district of Manila. They
were later killed, and their vehicle dumped. The ultimate reasons for this murder remain a
subject of debate.

Fidel Ramos has publicly accused his successor, Joseph Estrada, of giving the original
order. Estrada was mired in a corruption scandal at the time, and according to some
reports, Estrada believed Dacer was helping Ramos destabilize his rule.

4. War against MILF

Estrada declared an "all-out-war" against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and
captured its headquarters and other camps.

2001
1. Second envelope suppression
On January 17, 2001, among the trial highlights was the testimony of then bank official,
Clarissa Ocampo, who said she was a foot away when Estrada signed the name Jose Velarde
in documents that involve a 500-million-peso investment.
 The conflict between the senator-judges, and the prosecution became deeper, but then
Senate Majority Floor Leader Francisco Tatad requested to the Impeachment court to make
a vote for opening the second envelope. The vote resulted in 10 senators in favor of
examining the evidence, and 11 senators in favor of suppressing it. After the vote,
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. resigned as Senate President and walked out of the impeachment
proceedings together with the 9 opposition Senators and 11 prosecutors in the Estrada
impeachment trial [ CITATION Wil18 \l 1033 ].

2. Impeachment
Estrada was the first Philippine president to face impeachment. The complaint for
impeachment is based on the following grounds: 
 Committed Bribery; 
 Committed Graft and Corrupt Practices; 
 Betrayed The Public Trust; 
 Culpably Violated the Constitution. 

3. EDSA II
On the evening of January 16, 2001, after the suppression of the opening of the second
envelope, 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. For four days, hundreds of thousands of Filipinos rallied
in EDSA to poll for Estrada's resignation.

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.

4. Resignation

At noon, the Supreme Court declared that Estrada "constructively resigned" his post and
the Chief Justice swore in the constitutional successor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, as
President of the Philippines. 

On the last day of the protest, January 20, the Supreme Court declared that Estrada
"constructively resigned" his post. Then Arroyo took her oath in the presence of clamoring
crowds on EDSA as the 14th president of the Republic of the Philippines. Estrada released a
letter about Arroyo’s proclamation, saying he had strong doubts about the legality and
constitutionality of her proclamation as president. However, he said he would step down to
allow national reconciliation.

Estrada left Malacañ ang Palace together with his family in the same year. He was
convicted of plunder in September 2007.

5. EDSA III
In April 2001 when Estrada was arrested, his supporters protested and massed up in
what would be called EDSA III or EDSA Tres which lasted for seven days in a major highway
 in Metropolitan Manila, the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), which eventually
culminated in an attempt to storm Malacañ ang [ CITATION Phi02 \l 1033 ].

6. Final verdict
Estrada was under a house arrest until September 2007 when the Sandiganbayan found
him guilty of plunder, a capital offense. The anti-graft court jailed Estrada for life but
allowed him to remain under house arrest pending his appeal. More than a month after his
guilty verdict, Arroyo granted him pardon.

 The Erap years are best known for two things: the impeachment trial that led to EDSA II, and
the all-out war on the MILF. The former led to his ousting and a later conviction of plunder, and
the latter was aborted in favor of peace talks, even though the military was gaining ground and
finding success against the rebels [ CITATION Ong10 \l 1033 ].

IV. Quiz (20 items)

A. TRUE or FALSE
1. Even with its strong economic team, the Estrada administration failed to capitalize
on the gains of the previous administration.
2. Joseph Estrada served as Vice President under President Corazon Aquino from 1986-
1992.
3. The First Lady, Mrs. Loi Ejercito gave a testimony stating that his husband, the
President, signed a document with another name, which involves a huge amount of
investment.
4. Estrada’s margin of victory was the biggest ever registered in Philippine electoral
history.
5. Estrada violated and broke the law by impinging on the independence of SEC which
is clearly safeguarded by the law and to giving a direct order to the chairman to the
prejudice of the interest of the government. This is a very serious violation of the
anti-graft law.
6. Aprodicio Laquian stated that the President gets a cut from illegal gambling money.
7. Estrada gave more land to farmers compared to what both the Aquinos gave
combined.
8. Estrada was the first Philippine president to face impeachment. However, it was
unsuccessful since he just resigns.
9. Estrada did not use his popularity as an actor to make gains in politics.
10. When Estrada was arrested, none of his supporters protested.

B. MULTIPLE CHOICES
1. This law liberalizes the securities market by shifting policy from merit regulation to full
disclosure.
a. Retail Trade Liberalization Act
b. New General Banking Act
c. Electronic Commerce Act of 2000
d. New Securities Act

2. This conglomerate had covered a wide range of government scandals. And in 1999,
almost all Filipino movie producers canceled their advertisements in this firm.
 a. The Manila Times 
b. Philippine Daily Inquirer
c. Philippine Times Journal
d. Manila Daily Bulletin

3. He was a whistleblower and known to have Estrada's fall when he allegedly stated that
he delivered 10M a month to Estrada in the Malacañ ang Palace.
a. Luis 'Baby' Asistio
b. Magtanggol Gunigundo II
c. Luis 'Chavit' Singson
d. Francisco Tatad
4. Designed to protect and preserve the environment and ensure the sustainable
development of its natural resources
a. Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999
b. Agrikulturang Maka-MASA
c. New Securities Act
d. Lingap Para sa Pangarap

5. The members of the so-called midnight cabinet were

a. Lucio Co
b. Luis Singson
c. Luis Asistio
d. All of the above

6. He was the Senator who resigned as Senate President and walked out of the
impeachment proceedings.
a. Aquino Pimentel, Sr.
b. Aquilino Pimentel, Sr.
c. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
d. Aquino Pimentel, Jr.

7. Geared at expanding and revitalizing previous productivity enhancement programs.

a. Farmer’s trust fund
b. PAOCTF
c. Agrikulturang Maka-MASA
d. Lingap Para sa Pangarap

8. It is a major step in the reconstruction of the U.S. - Philippine defense relationship.

a. E-Commerce Act
b. Visiting Forces Agreement
c. Foreign investments
d. PAOCTF

9. She was an ambitious woman who can smell victory in Estrada’s defeat. She was very
ready to take over when Estrada resigns.
a. Loi Ejercito
b. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
c. Corazon Aquino
d. Clarissa Ocampo
 10. Agrikulturang Maka-MASA projects by the department addressed these three basic
tasks except
a. Increasing productivity and improving competitiveness
b. Raising rural incomes and easing poverty
c. Provide insurance protection to participating farmers and other groups in case
of force majeure or bad management
d. Promoting food security for every Filipino

V. Reference/s

(1998). Retrieved from Archive Today:

https://archive.is/20090808103137/http://erap.ph/speakson/inagural063098.htm
(1998, September 2). Retrieved from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidency_of_Joseph_Estrada#cite_note-jo-commerce-
petitionjunked-29
(2000, March 22). Retrieved from CPJ: https://cpj.org/2000/03/attacks-on-the-press-1999-
philippines/
(2000, December 5). Retrieved from BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-
pacific/1055847.stm
(2002, April 29). Retrieved from Philstar:
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2002/04/29/158977/pnp-no-repeat-may-1-riots
(2013). Retrieved from Philippine Star: https://www.philstar.com//2013/05/14/942004/erap-
wins-manila-mayoralty-race
Guillermo, E. (1999, July 29). Asian Week. Retrieved from Archive:
https://web.archive.org/web/20111002105948/http://asianweek.com/072999/opinion_
emilamok.html
Landler, M. (2000, October 18). Manila Journal; This Whistle-Blower Could Topple a President.
Retrieved from The New York Times:
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/18/world/manila-journal-this-whistle-blower-could-
topple-a-president.html
Lopez, A. (2000, March 17). Asian Week. Retrieved from Archive:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110708171134/http://premium.europe.cnn.com/ASIANO
W/asiaweek/foc/2000/03/17/
Newsflash. (1999, November 10). Retrieved from Archive:
https://web.archive.org/web/20110607035541/http://www.newsflash.org/1999/11/pe/
pe000941.htm
Ong, B. (2010, March 8). Retrieved from Slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/untangleme/erap-
presentation
Possel, B. V. (2017, November 2). Retrieved from Quora: https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-
major-accomplishments-of-Joseph-Estrada-as-the-former-president-of-the-Philippines
Reuters Staff. (2007, September 12). Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-
philippines-estrada-factbox-idUSMAN32465120070912
Singcol. (2009). Retrieved from ABS-CBN News: https://news.abs-
cbn.com/research/06/03/09/profile-joseph-erap-ejercito-estrada
Williams, E., Lye, G., Thomas, G., & Moncrief, V. (2018, November 2). Retrieved from Journeyman
Pictures: https://www.journeyman.tv/film_documents/882/transcript/

Reporters:
BERMUDEZ, MARCEL MAE B.
RAMOS, KEVIN KLEIN M.
BSA-2B