Mary Ejercito
Encyclopedia
María Marcelo-Ejército, also known as Mary Ejercito or simply Doña Mary (May 2, 1905 – January 13, 2009) was the mother of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the 13th President of the Philippines
. Her ailing health was cited as among the reasons for the withdrawal of the appeal of the former President from his conviction for criminal plunder charges in 2007; Estrada was immediately pardoned by his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
.
Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.
. All ten of her children became successful professionals. In 1998, Ejercito received the "Ulirang Ina" award from the Philippines’ Elderly Persons Foundation. In that same year, she attended the presidential inauguration of her son Joseph at Barasoain Church
in Bulacan
.
During the presidency of her son, Ejercito kept a low profile. She reportedly advised her son to be cautious of the influence wielded by his close friends. During the 2000-2001 impeachment trial of her son, news of the crisis was withheld from her, but she soon learned of the trial and reportedly told President Estrada, "It's more than high time you change. The people are angry now."
Ejército's health began to decline during the six-year incarceration of her son. Estrada would occasionally be granted furlough
s to visit his ailing mother. In 2007, Ejercito was confined at a San Juan City hospital, and reports soon emerged that she was near death. On September 12, 2007, Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan
of plunder charges and sentenced to reclusion perpetua
. One month later, he withdrew his appeal and instead sought for a presidential pardon. Among the reasons cited for the request, which was granted, was Ejercito's "delicate condition".
On December 12, 2008, a spokesperson for President Estrada reported that Ejercito was in critical condition and needed to be resuscitated, but her doctors announced later that day that her condition had since stabilized.
and his surviving siblings were at her side when she died, as were some of her grandchildren. She was survived by eight of her ten children (Dr. Pilarica, Emilio Jr., lawyer Paulino, Petrocinia E. de Guzman, Antonio, Connie, Marita, Joseph, George and Jesse Ejercito).
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
. Her ailing health was cited as among the reasons for the withdrawal of the appeal of the former President from his conviction for criminal plunder charges in 2007; Estrada was immediately pardoned by his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
.
Education
Ejército finished her secondary schooling at the Colegio de Sta. Rosa, and enrolled at the University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.
Personal life
She married Emilio Ejercito, Sr. (1898-1977) an engineer who became the first Sanitary Engineer of the City of Manila. Together they had ten children: (Pilarica, Paulie, Pat, Connie, Marita, George and Jesse including President Estrada and the actor George EstreganGeorge Estregan
Emilio Marcelo Ejercito, Jr. , better known as George Estregan, Sr. or simply George Estregan, was a three-time FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actor....
. All ten of her children became successful professionals. In 1998, Ejercito received the "Ulirang Ina" award from the Philippines’ Elderly Persons Foundation. In that same year, she attended the presidential inauguration of her son Joseph at Barasoain Church
Barasoain Church
Barasoain Church is a Roman Catholic church built in 1630 in Malolos City, Bulacan. Having earned the title as the Cradle of Democracy in the East, the most important religious building in the Philippines, and the site of the First Philippine Republic, the Church is proverbial for its historical...
in Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
.
During the presidency of her son, Ejercito kept a low profile. She reportedly advised her son to be cautious of the influence wielded by his close friends. During the 2000-2001 impeachment trial of her son, news of the crisis was withheld from her, but she soon learned of the trial and reportedly told President Estrada, "It's more than high time you change. The people are angry now."
Ejército's health began to decline during the six-year incarceration of her son. Estrada would occasionally be granted furlough
Furlough
In the United States a furlough is a temporary unpaid leave of some employees due to special needs of a company, which may be due to economic conditions at the specific employer or in the economy as a whole...
s to visit his ailing mother. In 2007, Ejercito was confined at a San Juan City hospital, and reports soon emerged that she was near death. On September 12, 2007, Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan
Sandiganbayan
The Sandiganbayan is a special court in the Philippines which was established under Presidential Decree No. 1606. Its rank is equivalent to the Court of Appeals. The court consists of 14 Associate Justices and 1 Presiding Justice...
of plunder charges and sentenced to reclusion perpetua
Reclusion perpetua
Reclusión perpetua is a particular kind of sentence of imprisonment in the Philippines, Argentina, and several other countries....
. One month later, he withdrew his appeal and instead sought for a presidential pardon. Among the reasons cited for the request, which was granted, was Ejercito's "delicate condition".
Health problems
On May 2, 2008, Ejército celebrated her 103rd birthday from her hospital bed. She had been confined to the hospital and attached to a respirator since August 2007 and would remain so until her death.On December 12, 2008, a spokesperson for President Estrada reported that Ejercito was in critical condition and needed to be resuscitated, but her doctors announced later that day that her condition had since stabilized.
Death
Ejercito died on January 13, 2009 from a heart seizure and stomach aneurysm. The former PresidentJoseph Estrada
Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada was the 13th President of the Philippines, serving from 1998 until 2001. Estrada was the first person in the Post-EDSA era to be elected both to the presidency and vice-presidency.Estrada gained popularity as a film actor, playing the lead role in over 100 films in...
and his surviving siblings were at her side when she died, as were some of her grandchildren. She was survived by eight of her ten children (Dr. Pilarica, Emilio Jr., lawyer Paulino, Petrocinia E. de Guzman, Antonio, Connie, Marita, Joseph, George and Jesse Ejercito).