Eduardo Ermita

Eduardo R. Ermita (born July 13, 1935) is a former Executive Secretary of the Philippines and former spokesperson for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[2] Ermita 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.

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

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 was appointed on October 3, 2003, as Secretary of National Defense. He is the provincial chairman of Lakas-CMD in Batangas and regional chairman of Lakas-CMD in Calabarzon since 1992.

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.

Ermita is married to Elvira Ramos from Dipolog, with whom he has four children, including former Batangas representative Eileen Ermita-Buhain.

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