Erap mother, Doña Mary, dies at 103

Doña Mary Ejercito died Tuesday at the age of 103, her hand clasped tightly by her most famous son, former President Joseph Estrada.

A statement from the Estrada camp said Doña Mary died at around 4:15 pm, January 13, 2009 due to of multiple organ failure, adding that her kidneys had shut down four days before her death..

Doña Mary had been on a respirator for over a year since she was confined at San Juan Mediacal Center on August 2007.

The body would be brought to the Saint John the Baptist Church in San Juan City.

She will be brought out of the St. John the Baptist Church in San Juan City at 9 a.m. Saturday.

Doña Mary Ejercito, will be buried at the Ejercito family mausoleum on Saturday morning.
Initial burial plans include a funeral march from the church to the cemetery, which will take one-and-a-half to two kilometers.

Malacanang on Tuesday expressed its condolences with the family of ousted former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada regarding the death of Doña Mary Ejercito.

Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said Doña Mary was a "grand lady" who "exemplified grace, strength of character, filial and abiding love and affection to her family and loved ones especially to the former President."

Doña Mary was the most influential person to Erap. She was the guide of Erap on his political life. Erap was the most favorite son of Dona Mary.