LAGUNA — Former Laguna Governor ER Ejercito has made a significant political comeback by winning the mayoral race in Pagsanjan, Laguna. This victory ends a series of electoral defeats and marks his return to the municipality where his political career began.

According to partial and unofficial results from the Commission on Elections, Ejercito, running under the Akay party, secured 10,190 votes (30.83%), surpassing his closest rival, Cesar Areza of the National Unity Party, who garnered 8,601 votes (26.02%).

Ejercito previously served as mayor of Pagsanjan from 2001 to 2010 before becoming the governor of Laguna. His second term as governor was cut short in 2014 when the Commission on Elections, and later the Supreme Court, found him guilty of overspending during the 2013 elections. Despite multiple attempts to regain political power, including losses in the 2016 and 2019 gubernatorial races and a failed mayoral bid in Calamba in 2022, Ejercito’s recent victory in Pagsanjan serves as both a personal and political redemption.

In an emotional interview following the proclamation of Governor-elect Sol Aragones, Ejercito described his victory as “vindication.”

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng Pagsanjeno sa bayan ng Pagsanjan, ang kilalang tourist capital of Laguna at the home of Our Lady of Guadalupe,” Ejercito said, thanking his supporters. “Ito po’y vindication at redemption para sa pamilyang Ejercito at para sa bayan ng Pagsanjan.”

Ejercito also praised Governor-elect Sol Aragones for her victory against other gubernatorial candidates.

“Kaya ako’y tuwang-tuwa po na nanalo ang aking governor na si Sol Aragones na 2019 pa sinusuportahan ko siya. Ang anak ko ang vice governor si George Jericho at ngayon po ay overwhelming ang lamang ni Governor Sol Aragones. Apat silang lumaban at talagang ang ating governor ay si Sol Aragones.”

“Dahil walang bahid o dungis ng kurapsyon, kasinungalingan at pagnanakaw. Ang pangalan ni governor Sol Aragones ay ung ibang mga kalaban niya medyo questionable pagdating sa vote buying at flying voters at saka sa pamimili ng boto at corruption and graft no kaya si Governor Sol walang bahid na dungis talagang good governance which means transparency accountability and following strictly the rule of law.” Ejercito added.

Despite his victory, Ejercito’s political future remains uncertain. In March 2025, the Supreme Court upheld his 2019 graft conviction related to an anomalous insurance deal during his previous term as mayor, resulting in a sentence of six to eight years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. However, as of now, the ruling has not yet taken effect, allowing him to assume the mayoral position.

📷 ER Ejercito FB