Former actor and politician ER Ejercito is all set to return to public service as mayor of Pagsanjan, Laguna — a post he previously held from 2001 to 2007 — following three consecutive electoral defeats.
In a recent interview with entertainment reporter and radio host Morly Alinio on YouTube (“Morly Alinio: Ito ang Tondo”), Ejercito shared that this comeback was his way of honoring the memory of his late wife, former Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie Ejercito, known to many as Maita Sanchez during her time as an actress.
“‘Nung namatay si Mayora, parang huminto ang mundo ko,” he said, referring to her passing on November 3, 2024.
According to Ejercito, his decision to run again was influenced by what he described as election cheating during the 2022 polls — something he believes caused his wife a great deal of stress. Maita, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, was later diagnosed with Stage 4 endometrial cancer. ER said she became ill after her electoral loss in 2022. He recalled planning to bring her to Singapore for treatment, but she chose to stay under the care of her doctors in the Philippines and have surgery. Eventually, her condition worsened as the cancer spread to her intestines.
“Nag manifest ang cancer cells after her defeat in 2022. Ambilis. Lumabas kaagad Stage 4,” he related.
Maita served as mayor of Pagsanjan from 2010 to 2019. ER and Maita shared 36 years together and had six children: Emilio Ramos, John Paul Jet, Jorge Jericho, Guadalupe Julia, Juan Diego, and Maria Gabriela.
When asked whether he might consider falling in love again, ER shared that the topic had come up between him and his late wife. “Binanggit nya ‘yan nun, ‘mag-asawa ka na uli’,” he recalled.
“Hindi natin masasabi, tao lang tayo. Ang masasabi ko, iba si Mayora Maita. She has been beside me through thick and thin. Sa hirap at ginhawa… She’s the wind beneath my wings. Totoo ‘yung kasabihan na behind a great man is a great woman. Lahat ng awards ko, andito sa museum na ‘to, sya ang katabi ko. Inspirasyon talaga,” he said.
The former Laguna governor also remembered the happier times, including Maita’s love for singing and dancing. “Life of the party ‘yan. Magaling kumanta, magaling sumayaw,” he said, adding that he had produced five music videos featuring his wife, including “La Laguna,” “Bangkero: Lahat ay Masaya,” “Inang Bayan” and “Pagsanjan.”
Earlier this year, ER also saw closure on a long-standing legal issue. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc dismissed an election overspending case filed against him over his 2013 gubernatorial campaign. The case had been pending for 12 years and was one of 370 similar complaints filed with Comelec since 2013. ER, however, was the only one suspended from office — a situation his camp called “selective injustice.” The official decision was released in January 2025.
He recalled how his uncle, former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada, had to personally intervene during the height of the issue in 2014 to urge him to peacefully leave the Laguna Provincial Capitol.
Now back in office, ER says his focus is on rebuilding the beauty and vigor in Pagsanjan.
“Ako lumalaban uli para ibalik ang saya, liwanag ng Pagsanjan,” he said.
