Eduardo Ermita

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	Eduardo Ramos Ermita (1935-07-13)July 13, 1935
Died	October 18, 2025(2025-10-18) (aged 90) Batangas, Philippines
Resting place	Libingan ng mga Bayani, Taguig, Metro Manila
Political party	Lakas
Spouse	Elvira Ramos
Children	4, including Eileen
Alma mater	Philippine Military Academy
Profession	Politician, government official, military officer
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	Moro conflict Vietnam War Coup attempts against Corazon Aquino 1989 Philippine coup attempt

Eduardo Ramos Ermita (July 13, 1935 – October 18, 2025) was a Filipino military officer and politician, who served as a Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from 1986 to 1988, Executive Secretary of the Philippines from 2004 to 2010, spokesperson for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and Member of the House of Representatives representing Batangas's 1st district from 1992 until 2001.

Eduardo Ramos Ermita was born on July 13, 1935.^[2] In his childhood, Ermita lived in the towns of Balayan and Nasugbu, Batangas and survived the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II^[3]

Ermita was a graduate of Philippine Military Academy class of 1957, and one of his batch mates was former AFP Chief of Staff Rene de Villa.^[4]

Ermita narrated in his 2017 memoir about his combat experience in Mindanao as well as being part of the Philippine Civic Action Group in the Vietnam War.^[3]

Ermita 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.

He was part of the peace negotiations with the Moro National Liberation Front from 1992 to 1996.^[5]

Ermita was elected congressman in the 1st District of Batangas in 1992, defeating incumbent Conrado Apacible, a member of one of the most influential political families. He would serve for three terms until 2001.

He resigned from Congress on January 25, 2001, to become the acting Secretary of National Defense under the new administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, following the Second EDSA Revolution, until March 19, 2001. He was later appointed on October 3, 2003, as a full-time Secretary of National Defense. He was the provincial chairman of Lakas–CMD in Batangas and regional chairman of Lakas in Calabarzon since 1992.

Ermita was married to Elvira Ramos from Dipolog, with whom he had four children, including Eileen Ermita-Buhain, who succeeded him as Batangas 1st district representative, and Lisa Ermita-Abad, who has served as the mayor of Balayan since 2025.^[6]

Ermita died in his residence in Batangas on October 18, 2025, at the age of 90.^[3] His wake was held at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on October 19–20 and at the Heritage Memorial Park on October 21–22, both in Taguig. His remains were interred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on October 23.^[2][7]