Personal Life
Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito was born on December 26, 1969 to former President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada, and businesswoman, philanthropist and current San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez.
He was given the name “Victor” because he was born shortly after the elder Estrada won his first term as Mayor of the town of San Juan.
He attended Xavier School and completed his degree in Political Science at the De La Salle University.
Senator JV’s life away from the legislative halls of the Senate revolves around his family – his wife, Ma. Hyacinth Lotuaco, and his two sons Jose Emilio and Julio Jose.
Career
The Honorable Senator JV Ejercito started his political career in 2001 when he was elected Mayor of San Juan. He served as the City Mayor for three terms until 2010. Thereafter, he represented the city in the House of Representatives for one term – from 2010 to 2013.
On May 2013, JV Ejercito was then chosen by the people to serve in the Senate. His most notable legislation is the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, of which he authored the Anti-Dynasty provision.
Senator JV is also a Commissioned Reserve Officer of the Philippine Marine Corps, with the rank of Major. He is an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy Class ’88 Maringal.
Record of Service
Sen JV Ejercito’s professional record is highlighted by accomplishments that have ensured the development and well-being of the people he pledged to serve. He has successfully combined managerial acumen, leadership skills and people support to shape a better community.
JV Ejercito as Local Chief Executive: Sterling Local Governance to Lead the Forward Surge of San Juan
As a 3-time Mayor of San Juan, Sen JV Ejercito is credited with the distinction of spearheading San Juan’s economic boom from 2001 to 2010. Utilizing his business acumen and wide network, he led the reforms and strengthening of San Juan’s fundamentals to increase the municipal revenue from 300 million to 1 billion pesos in just 9 years. Because of the significant growth, San Juan was converted into a highly urbanized city in June 2007.
The year before, in 2006, San Juan was recognized as the Most Progressive Municipality, testament to the leadership of JV Ejercito and the cooperative spirit that has driven the entire San Juan community. Ejercito’s sound financial management practices also led to an AA credit rating for San Juan from the Local Government Unit Guaranty Corporation.
The solid support from the citizens and organizations of San Juan ensured the accomplishment of major local projects such as the renovation of the Museo ng Katipunan and the scholarship foundation without utilizing a single centavo from the budget allotted by the Arroyo administration.
It was also under his leadership as San Juan’s local chief executive that the San Juan Community College was opened, continuing the legacy of his father, former President Joseph Estrada who had built and established the first and the only local high school in San Juan, the San Juan National High School.
As the Representative of San Juan in the lower House of Congress, JV Ejercito not only applied his skills to crafting relevant legislation but also to leading various Committees as follows: Chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development; Vice-Chairman of the House Committees on Labor & Employment, and Local Government; Member for the Majority for Committees on Appropriations, Energy, Public Works & Highways, Transportation, Games and Amusement, Information & Communication Technology, and Youth & Sports.
JV Ejercito, Youth Development Advocate: Serving the Youth, Protecting their Future
Sen JV Ejercito’s concern for the youth and issues affecting their future were honed further during his stint as National Chairman of the Kabataan ng Masang Pilipino [KAMPIL], the youth arm of the Lapian ng Masang Pilipino. As the KAMPIL candidate for the youth sector during the first party-list elections in 1998, he won a sizeable number of votes and was qualified for a seat as a duly elected party list representative. However, to avoid further controversy about using presidential influence to win a favourable resolution from the Commission on Elections, he chose to withdraw.
Under the banner of the MAMAMAYAN AYAW SA DROGA or MAD of which he was the National Founder, he poured time and effort to ensure that substantial programs were implemented to reduce drug abuse and the supply of illegal drugs, as well as boost the effectivity and accessibility of rehabilitation centers.
JV Ejercito, The Legislator: Addressing Challenges Through Legislative Reform
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has focused on three key advocacies in his years in the lower house of Congress: labor & employment, local government development and education reform/youth development.
Towards this end, Representative Ejercito has taken on a lead role in the legislative efforts to push the interests of labor, the marginalized and the youth.
In his first term as Representative of the lone congressional district of San Juan, Sen Ejercito has filed 149 House Bills and 18 House Resolutions.
After only 2 and a half years as a legislator, 5 of these initiatives have been approved and transmitted to the Senate for deliberation and approval. These are:
- HB 4225: Participatory Governance Through CSOs Empowerment Act of 2011
- HB 4541: Mercury Exposure Information Act of 2011
- HB 4565: Local Housing Boards Act
- HB 5870: Cadastral Survey Act of 2012
- HB 6144: Domestic Workers Act of 2012 or Kasambahay Bill
To push for youth development, Sen JV Ejercito consistently fought for additional budget allocations for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in 2011 and 2012. The determination has paid off with the allocation of an additional PhP 16 Billion for the 2013 SUC Budget. He has also prioritized reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan system in his legislative agenda.
JV Ejercito, the businessman, is a Civic Leader, a global role model
Part of Sen JV Ejercito’s business career was his involvement in the Junior Chamber International, one of the most esteemed business and civic organizations worldwide. He was elected JCI National President in 1998. His initiatives and industry as JCI National President resulted in his being awarded “Most Outstanding National Jaycee President for Asia and the Pacific” during the 53rd JCI World Congress in Manila.
Awards & Recognition
Senator JV Ejercito’s service and leadership have been recognized by various bodies and organizations through the years. Among these awards are
- 9th Top Prolific Lawmaker in the 15th Congress, having filed 149 House Bills and 18 House Resolutions
- 2010 — One of 15 Most Outstanding Congressmen, Congress Magazine in 2010
- 2007 — TOYM [Ten Outstanding Young Men] Awardee in 2007 for his performance as local chief executive of San Juan
- First Awardee of the Antonio Quirino Recognition Award, Rotary Club of Makati East
- 2010 — National Press Club Recognition in November 2010 for his advocacy in protecting the welfare of Filipino journalist
Other recognition & milestones include
- 1998 — Top Ten Newsmakers of the Year
- 1998 — Hosting National President, 53rd Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress
- 1998 — Most Outstanding National President for Asia and the Pacific of the JCI
- 1997 — Graduated from the 10th Junior Chamber International (JCI) Academy in Japan
- 1996 — Exemplary Leadership Award by the Metro Area Jaycees
- 1996 — Presidential Award for Leadership Excellence (Outstanding NEW)
- 1995 — Metro Area Jaycee Leadership Excellence Award
- 1995 — Metro East Region Distinguished Service Award
- 1995 — Metro East Region Leadership Award
- Kabataan ng Masang Pilipino (KAMPIL), National Chairman
- Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) — Youth Sector, National Chairman
- Estudyanteng Responsable para sa Aktibong Pamamahala/Batang E.R.A.P., National Chairman
- National Youth Commission (NYC), Honorary Chairman/Adviser
- Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga (MAD), National Founder
- Junior Chamber of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. President
- Ang Bayang Makulay Foundation, Chairman
- Puwersa ng Masa (San Juan Chapter), Chairman