Eduardo Ermita

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Ramos and the surname or paternal family name is Ermita.

Eduardo Ramos Ermita (born July 13, 1935) is a former military officer and politician who served as Executive Secretary of the Philippines and former spokesperson for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[2]

The Honorable Eduardo Ermita
35th Executive Secretary of the Philippines
In office August 23, 2004 – February 23, 2010[1]
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Alberto Romulo
Succeeded by	Leandro Mendoza
22nd Secretary of National Defense of the Philippines
In office October 3, 2003 – August 23, 2004
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (acting)
Succeeded by	Avelino Cruz, Jr.
In office January 25, 2001 – March 19, 2001 (Acting Secretary)
President	Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Preceded by	Orlando Mercado
Succeeded by	Angelo Reyes
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Batangas's 1st congressional district
In office June 30, 1992 – January 25, 2001
Preceded by	Conrado Apacible
Succeeded by	Eileen Ermita-Buhain
Personal details
Born	(1935-07-13) July 13, 1935 (age 89) Balayan, Batangas, Philippine Islands
Political party	Lakas–CMD
Spouse	Elvira Ramos
Children	4, including Eileen
Alma mater	Philippine Military Academy
Profession	Politician, government official, military officer (retired)
Military service
Branch	Philippine Constabulary
Service years	1957–1988
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Conflicts	Coup attempts against Corazon Aquino 1989 Philippine coup attempt

Education

Ermita is graduate of Philippine Military Academy class of 1957, and one of his batch mates is former Military Chief of Staff Rene de Villa.^[3]

He took his Defense Resource Management Course at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, United States, from 1978 to 1979; Command and General Staff Course, Fort Bonifacio in 1974; Unit Psychological Officers Course, Kennedy Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, United States, from 1970 to 1971; Special Forces Course, Fort Magsaysay from 1962 to 1963; Counterintelligence Course, Special Intelligence School, Fort Bonifacio in 1962; Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S.A. in 1961; and Ranger School, Fort Benning, Georgia from 1960 to 1961.

Military career

He was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the series of coup attempts from 1986 to 1988, Undersecretary of National Defense during the last major coup attempt in December 1989, head of the Special Information group during the EDSA People Power Revolution in February 1986, and president of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association from 1986 to 1988.

Political career

Ermita was a three-term congressman, defeating one of the most influential political families, in the 1st District of Batangas from 1992 to 2001. He became the acting Secretary of National Defense from January to March 2001 under the new administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, following the Second EDSA Revolution. He was later appointed on October 3, 2003, as a full-time Secretary of National Defense. He is the provincial chairman of Lakas–CMD in Batangas and regional chairman of Lakas in Calabarzon since 1992.

Personal life

Ermita is married to Elvira Ramos from Dipolog, with whom he has four children, including Eileen Ermita-Buhain, who succeeded him as Batangas 1st district representative.