Education
María Marcelo finished her secondary schooling at the Colégio de Station Rosa, and enrolled at the Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.
María Marcelo finished her secondary schooling at the Colégio de Station Rosa, and enrolled at the Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.
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. During her son"s rule, Ejército kept a low profile.
The people are angry now." Health problems 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 Ejército"s "delicate condition". On May 2, 2008, Ejército celebrated her 103rd birthday from her sickbed.
She had been confined to hospital and attached to an artificial respirator since August 2007 and would remain so until death.
On December 12, 2008, a spokesperson for former President Estrada reported that Ejército was in critical condition and needed resuscitation, but her physicians announced later that day that her condition had since stabilised. Ejército died on January 13, 2009 from a heart seizure and stomach aneurysm. Former President Estrada and his five surviving siblings Pilarica, Paulino, Pat, Marita, and Jesús, were at her side when she died, as were several grandchildren.