Senator JV Ejercito as Mr. Healthcare: His advocacy in achieving 'GINHAWA NG BAYAN'

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.

Senator JV as fondly called by the Filipinos, is a reliable ally of the people in the Senate. He began his career in public service as a young leader and President of the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI-Philippines). He then became the Mayor of his hometown in San Juan City and later elected as Congressman. In 2013, he became  Senator of the Republic of the Philippines and is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement. He is also serving as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography.

He began his career in public service as a young leader and President of the Junior Chamber International Philippines to Reform Law, Balanced Housing Law, Creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Road Speed Limiter Law, Sugarcane Industry Development Law, and the Foreign Investment Liberalization Act. 

He continues to push for the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, Train Protection Act, and the modernization of the Philippine National Railway, among others. His chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement paved the way for the country's first-ever holding of a National Housing and Urban Development Summit, a 9-month long series of consultations and studies represented by 111 national agencies that sought to address the 5.5-Million housing backlog, and to make in-city housing possible in the years ahead. 

The summit has produced a Land Inventory for Metro Manila Local Government Units (LGUs), which identified lands to be allocated to house informal settler families. Senator Ejercito is adamant to make public housing decent and affordable, especially for resettled communities; and for universal health care to be made available to all Filipinos as he currently chairs the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement; and the Senate Committee on Health. 

As a transportation advocate, Senator JV is championing road safety and making mass transportation easier and uncomplicated by promoting the use of railway as the country's primary mode of public transportation. He is also seeking to reform the agricultural sector, and is supporting youth welfare through the Free Higher Education Act 

PUBLIC SERVICE

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 consecutive terms, from 2001 to 2010. Thereafter, he represented the city in the House of Representatives for one term - from 2010 to 2013. On May 2013, JV Ejercito was chosen by the people to serve in the Senate. 

He is 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. Senator JV Ejercito is a recipient of the Ten Outstanding Young Men award for Public Service and Governance in 2007. 

Senator JV Ejercito believes that an efficient, reliable, cost-effective, environment friendly and modern railway system can be the catalyst for economic growth. The railway system which will serve as the backbone of the country's economy, will create growth nodes and spread out development to the countryside.

Senator JV Ejercito is the "Father of the Universal Health Care". He championed the UHC in the Senate. Through his efforts, Senate Bill No. 1896 of the Universal Health Care Act is now approved on Third and Final Reading by the Senate.

This landmark bill will provide accessible and affordable health services for all Filipinos. The proposed measure will also unburden poor families from financial difficulties when paying for these services. It will improve the people's health-seeking behavior and guarantee affordable medical attention for everyone at home, at work, in school or anywhere in the country.

Salient Provisions of the Universal Health Care Act

Automatic Coverage

Access to Health Services

Organization of Local Health Systems

Human Resource for Health

Health Technology Assessment 

This measure, is a product of the several public consultations held nationwide, and reflective of the people's actual needs. 

Senator JV Ejercito wishes that he can continue to serve the Filipinos because his vision for the Philippines is captured in his core advocacy which guided him in pushing for fundamental legislative measures. He believes that every Filipino plays a significant role in building the nation and that growth should be inclusive, thus his battle cry is "PARA SA GINHAWA NG BAYAN".