Loi Ejercito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loi Ejercito
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Ejercito in 1999
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| First Lady of the Philippines | |
| In role June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Joseph Estrada |
| Preceded by | Amelita Ramos |
| Succeeded by | José Miguel Arroyo (First Gentleman) |
| Senator of the Philippines | |
| In office June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2007 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Luisa Pimentel y Fernández
June 2, 1930 Iba, Zambales, Philippine Islands |
| Political party | Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (2004–present) Independent (2001–2004) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3, including Jinggoy |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (AA, MD) |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Profession | Psychiatrist |
Luisa Pimentel Ejército–Estrada (born June 2, 1930), often called Loi Ejército, is a Filipino politician and doctor. She served as a Senator of the Philippines from 2001 to 2007. She is married to former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. She was the twelfth First Spouse of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001. Her son, Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, is also a senator.
Early Life and Education
Luisa Fernandez Pimentel was born on June 2, 1930. Her parents were Rufino Pimentel and Manuela Fernandez. She grew up in Iba, Zambales, where she went to primary and secondary school.
She studied at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1949, she earned an associate in arts degree. She then became a doctor of medicine in 1954.
Early Career as a Doctor
After finishing her studies, she taught at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. She also worked as a doctor at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital. Later, she worked at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). There, she met her future husband, actor Joseph Estrada.
In the 1960s, she trained in Australia at hospitals like Royal Park Hospital. In 1962, she came back to the Philippines. She started the Mental Health Department at Davao General Hospital in Davao City. For 15 years, starting in 1972, she volunteered as a doctor. She helped at San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital in San Juan.
Public Service and Political Career
As a psychiatrist, Loi Ejercito was known as the "First Lady of the Masses." People also called her the "Doctor of the Masses." This was because she often led medical and outreach missions. These missions helped many people during her time as First Lady.
On October 12, 1999, she received an Honorary Doctorate degree. This was from Kyung Hee University in South Korea.
Becoming a Senator
After her husband's term as president ended in 2001, she decided to run for the Senate. She joined the Puwersa ng Masa political group. In May 2001, she won a Senate seat. She placed 11th in the election. This made her the first First Lady to become a senator.
She served in the 12th and 13th Congress. In 2004, her son Jinggoy was also elected as a senator. They became the first mother and son to serve in the Philippine Senate at the same time.
Laws Authored as Senator
During her time as a senator from 2001 to 2007, she wrote many bills and resolutions. Some of these became important laws, including:
- R.A. No. 9241, which improved the National Health Insurance Program.
- R.A. No. 9211, also known as The No Smoking Act.
- A law that created the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
- R.A. No. 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
- A law that became The Clean Water Act.
Ejercito thought about running for re-election in 2007. However, she decided not to. After her Senate term ended, she retired from politics.
Life After the Senate
On June 2, 2022, which was her 91st birthday, she released a book. It is a memoir called "Love, Mommyla: My Memories of 9 Decades. " Her daughter Jackie published the 104-page book. A part of the money from book sales goes to their medical missions.
