JV Ejercito

JV Ejercito
Name	Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito
Birth date	September 26, 1969
Birth place	San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
Occupation	Politician, businessman, lawyer
Party	Nationalist People's Coalition (formerly) / United Nationalist Alliance (affiliated)
Alma mater	De La Salle University, San Beda College of Law
Office	Senator of the Philippines (2013–2019)
Other offices	Mayor of San Juan (2010–2013), Member of the House of Representatives (2001–2010)
Spouse	Hyacinth "Cindy" de la Vega-Ejercito

JV Ejercito

Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito is a Filipino politician and lawyer known for service as Mayor of San Juan, Metro Manila, Representative for San Juan's lone district, and Senator of the Philippine Senate. He is a scion of the Ejército political family and has participated in national debates on health care, infrastructure, taxation, and electoral reform. His legislative record and executive roles attracted both support from labor groups and criticism from political rivals.

Early life and education

Born in San Juan, Metro Manila, Ejercito is the son of actor-turned-politician Joseph Estrada and Loi Ejercito. He attended San Beda College for preparatory studies and completed undergraduate work at De La Salle University in Manila. He studied law at San Beda College of Law and was admitted to the Bar of the Philippines. His formative years connected him with networks spanning La Union to Metro Manila, and he interacted with figures from the Philippine National Police community and prominent families including ties to Erap supporters and local barangay leaders.

Business and early career

Before elective office, Ejercito engaged in private enterprise associated with family interests and local commerce in San Juan, Metro Manila. He held positions in family-run businesses and worked with municipal partners from Quezon City and Makati on development projects. His early career involved dealings with firms linked to sectors in real estate and hospitality, interacting with entrepreneurs from Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo City while liaising with regulators in agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry and the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines).

Entry into politics

Ejercito first won national office as Representative for San Juan's lone district in 2001, succeeding representatives from families such as the Singsons and Binays in Metro Manila politics. He was elected under coalitions that included the Liberal Party (Philippines), the Nationalist People's Coalition, and later allied with the United Nationalist Alliance. His entry was contemporaneous with political events involving figures like Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Noynoy Aquino, and municipal leaders from Pasig and Mandaluyong.

Legislative career

As a three-term member of the House of Representatives (2001–2010) and later as Senator (2013–2019), Ejercito sponsored and supported measures on healthcare financing including initiatives touching the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, infrastructure incentives akin to laws debated with the Department of Public Works and Highways, and fiscal measures discussed alongside the Bureau of Internal Revenue. He served on committees involving public works and local government, frequently engaging with senators and representatives such as Manny Pacquiao, Franklin Drilon, Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, and Grace Poe. His authored bills intersected with priorities of groups like the Philippine Medical Association, Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, and League of Cities of the Philippines.

Executive roles and governance

Ejercito was elected Mayor of San Juan, Metro Manila (2010–2013), administering city services in coordination with barangay captains, the Department of Interior and Local Government, and neighboring mayors from Makati and Quezon City. As mayor he implemented local ordinances on zoning, traffic, and local health services, collaborating with institutions such as the Philippine Red Cross and local hospitals that liaised with agencies like the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). His executive tenure overlapped with national administrations of Benigno Aquino III and policy debates involving the Department of Budget and Management.

Political positions and policies

Ejercito advocated for expanded health coverage tied to PhilHealth reform, fiscal measures affecting the Bureau of Customs and tax policy debates in the House of Representatives (Philippines), and infrastructure programs resonant with the Build! Build! Build! agenda discussed during the Rodrigo Duterte administration. He took positions on electoral issues that brought him into dialogues with the Commission on Elections (Philippines) and supported legislation impacting local governance, public works, and social services corresponding with stakeholders such as the Philippine Nurses Association and Philippine Medical Association. On national security and law enforcement, he engaged with initiatives involving the Philippine National Police and policy figures like Alan Peter Cayetano and Teodoro Locsin Jr..

Personal life and controversies

Ejercito is married to Hyacinth "Cindy" de la Vega-Ejercito and has children; his family connections include siblings active in politics and entertainment linked to San Juan and national show business figures. He has faced controversies typical of Philippine political life, including disputes with relatives over electoral contests that drew in personalities like Jinggoy Estrada and raised media attention from outlets such as ABS-CBN, GMA Network, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Manila Bulletin. Legal and political challenges intersected with institutions including the Sandiganbayan in other family-related cases and with election protests filed before the Commission on Elections (Philippines). Public debates over his record involved civic groups, labor unions, and professional associations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and civic organizations in Metro Manila.

Category:1969 births Category:Filipino politicians Category:Senators of the Philippines