Mary Ejercito

Maria "Mary" Fernandez Marcelo-Ejercito (May 2, 1905 – January 13, 2009), also known as Doña Mary, was the mother of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the thirteenth president of the Philippines. Her ailing health was cited as among the reasons for the withdrawal of the appeal of the former president from his conviction for criminal plunder charges in 2007; Estrada was immediately pardoned by his successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Education Maria Marcelo finished her secondary schooling at the Colegio de Sta. Rosa, and enrolled at the University of the Philippines Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.

Marriage and children She met Engr. Emilio A. Ejercito Sr. (1899–1977), an engineer who became the first Sanitary Engineer of the City of Manila. During President Estrada's impeachment trial, news of the political crisis was deliberately withheld from her, but after receiving information of the proceedings she advised her son thusly: "It's more than high time you change. The people are angry now."

Health problems Ejercito's health began to decline during her son's six-year incarceration; the ousted President would occasionally be granted furloughs to visit his ailing mother. In 2007, Ejercito was confined at the San Juan Medical Center, and rumours spread that she was near death. On September 12, 2007, Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan (a special appellate collegial court) of plunder charges and sentenced to reclusión perpetua. One month later, he withdrew his appeal and instead sought for a presidential pardon. Among the reasons cited for the request, which was granted, was Ejercito's "delicate condition".

On May 2, 2008, Ejercito celebrated her 103rd birthday from her sickbed. She had been confined to hospital and attached to an artificial respirator since August 2007

On December 12, 2008, a spokesperson for former President Estrada reported that Ejercito was in critical condition and needed resuscitation, but her physicians announced later that day that her condition had since stabilised.

Death Ejercito died on January 13, 2009, at San Juan Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila, from a heart seizure and stomach aneurysm. were at her side when she died, as were also several of her grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren as well.