Joseph Estrada

         Joseph Estrada (born April 19, 1937, Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino actor and politician who served as president of the Philippines (1998–2001) and later mayor of Manila (2013–19).

         The son of a government engineer, Estrada entered the Mapua Institute of Technology with the intention of following in his father’s footsteps, but he eventually dropped out to become a film actor. Forbidden by his parents to use the family name, he adopted the screen name Erap Estrada. He played the lead in more than 100 movies, usually portraying a swashbuckling tough guy who defends the poor against the corrupt establishment. He also produced some 75 films.

         In 1968 Estrada entered politics, successfully running for the mayorship of the Manila suburb of San Juan, a post he retained until 1986. In 1969 he was elected to the Senate. In 1992 he ran for vice president on the National People’s Coalition ticket. Although the party’s presidential candidate, Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., lost the election to Fidel Ramos, Estrada won the vice presidential contest.

         In 1998 Estrada ran for president, though his candidacy faced significant opposition. Ramos, who was constitutionally barred from running for a second term, endorsed House Speaker José de Venecia, and many of the country’s powerful businessmen opposed Estrada’s populist proposals. The Roman Catholic Church denied Estrada its support because he had admitted to having fathered four children by women other than his wife. However, he did have the support of Imelda Marcos, the widow of former president Ferdinand Marcos and then a member of Congress, and he enjoyed a devoted following among the country’s poor. Estrada managed to capture nearly 40 percent of the vote, handily defeating his nearest rival, de Venecia, who garnered only 15.9 percent. The margin of victory was the largest in a free election in the history of the Philippines, and Estrada was officially declared president by Congress on May 29, 1998.

         Estrada’s tenure as president was short-lived, however, as a corruption scandal erupted in October 2000 when a fellow politician claimed that Estrada had accepted millions of dollars worth of bribes. In November the Philippine Senate began an impeachment trial, but it was abandoned after some senators blocked the admission of evidence. On January 20, 2001, Estrada was ousted amid mass protests, and his vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, ascended to the presidency. Later that year Estrada was brought to trial on charges of plunder (large-scale corruption) and accused of having procured more than $80 million through bribes and corrupt dealings. Estrada denied the accusations, calling them politically motivated, and he remained relatively popular in the Philippines despite the charges. In September 2007 he was convicted of plundering and sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison. The following month, however, Estrada was pardoned by Arroyo. In October 2009 he announced his candidacy for president, but he was defeated in the May 2010 elections by Benigno S. Aquino III (son of Benigno Aquino, Jr., and Corazon Aquino).

         In 2013 Estrada ran for mayor of Manila and defeated the incumbent, Alfredo Lim. After taking office later that year, he faced a number of issues, notably the city’s debt and inability to pay for basic services. In order to raise revenue, he sharply raised property taxes. Estrada faced a serious challenge from Lim in the 2016 race but narrowly won reelection. He ran for a third term in 2019 but was defeated.

         Joseph Estrada is a prominent figure in the Philippines, known for his dual careers in acting and politics. Born on April 19, 1937, in Manila, Estrada gained fame as a film actor before transitioning into a political career.

Acting Career
         Estrada was a popular actor in the Philippines, starring in over 100 films. He often played roles that resonated with the masses, portraying characters who championed the poor and fought against corruption. His screen persona of a rugged, principled hero earned him widespread popularity and laid the groundwork for his political career.

Political Career
         Estrada's political journey began in 1968 when he was elected mayor of San Juan, a position he held until 1986. His tenure was marked by various development projects that improved the infrastructure of the city. In 1969, he was elected to the Philippine Senate, where he served until 1986.

         In 1992, Estrada became the vice president of the Philippines under President Fidel V. Ramos. He later ran for president and won the 1998 election by a landslide, serving as the 13th president of the Philippines. His presidency focused on poverty alleviation, peace talks with insurgent groups, and economic reforms. However, his term was overshadowed by allegations of corruption.

Impeachment and Conviction
         In 2000, Estrada faced an impeachment trial over accusations of plunder and corruption. The trial was cut short by a walkout of prosecutors, leading to widespread protests known as EDSA II. In January 2001, Estrada was ousted from office and replaced by his vice president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. In 2007, he was convicted of plunder but was pardoned by President Arroyo later that year.

Return to Politics
         Despite his past controversies, Estrada returned to politics and was elected mayor of Manila in 2013. He served two terms, focusing on urban renewal and social welfare programs. In 2019, Estrada ran for a third term but was defeated.

         Estrada's life and career reflect the complexities of Philippine politics, where charisma and mass appeal can coexist with controversy and legal challenges. His legacy remains a topic of debate, illustrating the intricate dynamics of leadership and accountability in the country.

Contributions and Achievements of Joseph Estrada

Entertainment Industry
         

Acting Career: Before entering politics, Joseph Estrada was a successful film actor. He starred in over 100 movies, often portraying roles that resonated with the common Filipino, earning him a strong fan base and the moniker "Erap," a colloquial term for "friend."
         

Awards and Recognition: His work in the film industry earned him numerous awards, including the FAMAS Best Actor award, which is one of the most prestigious film awards in the Philippines.

Political Career

Mayor of San Juan (1969–1986)
         

Development Initiatives: As mayor, Estrada was credited with transforming San Juan from a small, underdeveloped town into a thriving urban area. He focused on infrastructure development and improving public services.

Senator of the Philippines (1987–1992)
         

Legislative Work: During his term as a senator, Estrada supported bills focused on agriculture, rural development, and the welfare of the poor. He was known for his advocacy of policies that aimed to uplift the underprivileged sectors of society.

Vice President of the Philippines (1992–1998)
         

hairman of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission: As vice president under President Fidel V. Ramos, Estrada led efforts to combat crime, which was a significant issue in the country at the time.

President of the Philippines (1998–2001)
         

Pro-Poor Programs: Estrada's administration focused on poverty alleviation and social welfare programs. He launched initiatives aimed at providing affordable housing, improving healthcare, and supporting agricultural development.
         

Peace Efforts: His government engaged in peace talks with various insurgent groups, attempting to bring long-standing conflicts to a resolution.

Mayor of Manila (2013–2019)
         

Urban Development: As mayor, Estrada worked on modernizing Manila's infrastructure, addressing traffic congestion, and improving waste management. He also focused on fiscal reforms to address the city's budget deficit.

         Despite his achievements, Estrada's career was also marked by controversy. His presidency ended abruptly due to a corruption scandal, leading to his impeachment and eventual ousting. He was convicted of plunder in 2007 but received a pardon from his successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Nonetheless, Estrada's contributions to the entertainment industry and his efforts in public service have left a lasting impact on the Philippines.

Education

         

Universal Access to Education: Estrada's administration aimed to increase access to education, particularly for the underprivileged. He promoted programs to provide free education and improve school facilities.
         

Scholarship Programs: He introduced scholarship programs for poor but deserving students to encourage higher education.

Health

         

Healthcare Access: Estrada focused on improving healthcare access, especially in rural areas. He aimed to enhance the capacity of government hospitals and clinics.
         

PhilHealth Program: His administration expanded the coverage of the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth), promoting health insurance for more Filipinos.

Agriculture

         

Support for Farmers: Estrada's government implemented various support programs for farmers, including credit assistance and subsidies for agricultural inputs.
         

Agrarian Reform: He continued the agrarian reform program, which aimed to distribute land to landless farmers and promote rural development.

Finance
         

Economic Policies: Estrada's administration aimed to stimulate economic growth through various fiscal policies, although his tenure faced challenges due to the Asian financial crisis.
         

Tax Reforms: He proposed tax reforms to increase government revenue, although these were met with mixed reactions.

Labor and Employment
         

Employment Generation: Estrada's government aimed to create jobs through infrastructure projects and support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
         

Labor Rights: His administration worked on policies to protect labor rights and improve working conditions, although labor strikes and disputes were also prevalent during his term.

Justice
         

Judicial Reforms: Estrada sought to strengthen the judiciary and improve access to justice, although his administration faced criticism regarding issues of corruption and accountability.
         

Anti-Crime Initiatives: His government launched campaigns against crime, focusing on reducing drug-related activities.

Science and Technology
         

Investment in Research: Estrada encouraged investment in scientific research and technology development, although specific initiatives were less emphasized compared to other sectors.
         

Technology Transfer: His administration promoted technology transfer and innovation, particularly in agriculture and industry.

Tourism
         

Promotion of Tourism: Estrada's administration aimed to boost tourism through marketing campaigns and infrastructure development to attract more foreign visitors.
         

Tourism Infrastructure: He initiated projects to enhance tourism infrastructure, such as airports and roads leading to tourist destinations.

Transportation
         

Infrastructure Development: Estrada prioritized infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, to improve connectivity across the country.
         

Modernization of Transportation: His administration focused on modernizing the transportation sector, although several projects faced delays and corruption allegations.