Edgar San Luis

Edgar Sulit San Luis was born on July 12, 1955, in Santa Cruz, Laguna. His father was Felicisimo San Luis (1919–1992), a lawyer, and his mother, Virginia Sulit (died 1963), was an educator. San Luis has six siblings, namely: Rodolfo, Mila, Linda, Emilita, Manuel and Tobias. San Luis' father served as Councilor of Santa Cruz, Laguna, and subsequently the provincial Governor of Laguna, serving from 1959 until his death in 1992. Before seeking public office, San Luis's primarily known in sales, marketing and advertising. He had previously served as President of the RPN-9, one of the biggest TV stations in the Philippines during the 1970s–90s. It is now known as the DZKB-TV. == House of Representatives (2007–2013) ==

San Luis had held the position as Member of the House of Representatives representing Laguna's 4th district serving from June 30, 2007 until June 30, 2013, respectively. Elections 2007 San Luis' first stint in politics was during the 2007 Philippine elections in favor of his brother, Rodolfo, when he ran for a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives to represent the 4th district of Laguna. On May 14, 2007, the elections were held and on May 18, San Luis would be proclaimed as the duly elected Congressman of the district, unseating the incumbent Benjamin Agarao Jr. of the Liberal Party. San Luis managed to win 48.46% of the votes to 43.56% of Agarao. 2010 On May 10, 2010, the elections were held. San Luis ran under Nationalist People's Coalition and would be proclaimed on the same day, winning his re-election unopposed, respectively. House of Representative Tenure Prior to assuming the position of Representative of Laguna's 4th district, he was a businessman and media executive, primarily known in sales, marketing and advertising. The complaint discussed the failure to take action over the awarding of a $329 million contract to the Chinese telecom company, ZTE. On October 11, the complaint was moved to the House Justice Committee. The same day, Arroyo discussed the complaint with lawmakers in the House of Representatives. The complaint was later discarded due to Arroyo's party dominance in the House. Congressman Matias Defensor Jr. later stated that the House would not accept any more impeachment complaints. In 2009, San Luis authored House Resolution No. 1142 which aimed to grant Freddie Roach, an American boxing trainer and former professional boxer a Filipino citizenship for his efforts training Manny Pacquiao for his boxing matches. During the 15th Congress, San Luis authored House Bill No. 5445 that aims to impose a prison penalty of six months to one year and a fine of 100,000 to 500,000 pesos against violators of the proposed act. The bill main purpose is to prevent hospitals from charging any on-the-job training fees on registered nurses who render services in these institutions to gain work experience. Earlier, during his first term, he filed a bill seeking to protect new registered nurses. On December 12, 2011, San Luis was among 187 lawmakers from the House of Representatives who signed the impeachment complaint against Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was accused of committing graft and corruption, violating the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. San Luis voted for Jose de Venecia Jr. as House Speaker during the opening session of the 14th Congress. During the ouster of de Venecia, on February 4, 2008, San Luis voted yes to declare the position of Speaker vacant. On July 26, 2010, during the opening session of the 15th Congress, San Luis voted for Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for Speaker. During both of his terms in the House of Representatives, he joined the Majority bloc. House Committee membership The following were the House Committees assigned for San Luis during the 14th and 15th Congresses, respectively: == 2013 gubernatorial election ==

Although, San Luis was eligible to run for re-election in the House of Representatives for his third and final consecutive term, but he instead sought a higher position to serve the people of Laguna. He filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the upcoming 2013 Philippine elections for the position of Governor under the Liberal Party of the Aquino Administration. His sole opponent was the incumbent Governor Emilio Ramon Ejercito III, popularly known as "E.R." He was running under the opposition's United Nationalist Alliance. Ejercito is a famous actor who turned politician during the 2001 elections, respectively. During the campaign period, the battle for the governorship was heated, revolving into dishonoring and throwing name-calling at each other's party. Three days prior to the upcoming election, San Luis filed a disqualification case against Ejercito before the Office of the COMELEC Clerk in Intramuros, Manila. In September 2013, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) ruled that Ejercito is thereby disqualified for campaign overspending during the 2013 election. Later, in May 2014, the COMELEC En Banc ordered Governor Ejercito to voluntarily step down from his office, and later appealed to the Supreme Court to null the COMELEC's decision, but was later denied. On May 30, 2014, Governor Ejercito voluntarily stepped down from his position, in favor of his uncle, former President and Manila City Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Incumbent Vice Governor Ramil Hernandez already took his oath on May 27 to replace Ejercito as the Governor, while Board Member Katherine Agapay would be elevated to the Vice Governorship on May 30. == 2016 congressional comeback attempt ==

After his failed 2013 Gubernatorial bid, San Luis once again planned to run for the 2016 elections as the Liberal Party candidate. In October 2015, the Liberal Party and the Nacionalista Party of incumbent Governor Ramil Hernandez joined forces, setting aside San Luis as a candidate. San Luis later endorsed Senator Grace Poe's presidential bid for the upcoming election. of the Liberal Party. San Luis conceded the election to Agarao. == Mayor of Santa Cruz, Laguna (2019–2025) ==

San Luis held the position of Mayor of Santa Cruz, Laguna, serving from June 30, 2019 until June 30, 2025. Elections 2019 On October 16, 2019, San Luis filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for Mayor before the COMELEC office in Santa Cruz, Laguna. He ran under the Nacionalista Party, with term-limited Mayor Domingo G. Panganiban as his running-mate and formed their own slate, Team Egay-Dennis. On May 13, 2019, the elections were held and on the same day, he was proclaimed as Mayor–elect beating incumbent Board Member Benjo Agarao and former Mayor Ariel Magcalas. San Luis garnered 48.09% of the votes to 45.16% of Agarao and in distant third, Magcalas with 6.75%. 2022 On October 5, 2021, San Luis filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) under Aksyon Demokratiko for re-election in COMELEC Santa Cruz office. He formed his new slate with incumbent Councilor Louie De Leon as his running-mate. On February 11, 2022, San Luis endorsed the campaign of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno for the presidency with other local candidates. On May 9, 2022, the elections were held and on May 10, he was officially proclaimed for his second term in office, after garnering 50.97% of the votes to 49.03% of his sole opponent Benjamin Agarao Jr., incumbent Representative. 2025 On October 2, 2024, San Luis filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) under the National Unity Party for his third and final term in the new COMELEC Santa Cruz office, located in Metro Central Mall. This time, his running-mate is Laura Obligacion, ex officio Councilor for Liga ng mga Barangay. The campaign trial was heated and on May 12, the elections were held and eventually, San Luis would be defeated by incumbent (Senior) Board Member Benjo Agarao in a rematch, he obtained 47.54% of the votes to Agarao's 52.46%. The next day, San Luis thanked his supporters and conceded the election. Mayoral Tenure San Luis took office on June 30, 2019 succeeding outgoing Mayor Domingo G. Panganiban. His first term was seen as a fresh leadership in Santa Cruz. During his first term the town's water provider was a problem and was replaced with PrimeWater, a water and wastewater services provider owned by the Villar family. This resulted in controversies due to its failed services not only in Santa Cruz, but in other places where it is the main service provider. On May 19, 2025, after a five-year contract with the company, San Luis announced that the town's water district finalized a decision to end their contract with PrimeWater due to its failed services. During San Luis' term, the town faced major crisis's, especially when the COVID-19 virus erupted which resulted in government placing the country in a lockdown. Unemployment was high, the town's economy was primarily hit by the pandemic. San Luis acted immediately and launched his program, the Kabuhayanihan. After losing the election, he once again faced major problem when part of the town's public market was burned down on May 23, 2025. This resulted in many business establishments left destroyed by the fire. San Luis assures assistance for those market vendors whose affected by the fire, respectively. On June 18, 2025, San Luis suspended the classes from both public and private schools, and the work in the municipal hall and office after an anonymous person posted a bomb threat online threatening the town schools and government offices. Later the threat was confirmed as hoax and the assailant was arrested by the authorities, respectively. Despite all of these events, during San Luis' leadership the town was awarded with the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2019. The town was also awarded with Good Financial Housekeeping Award in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, and lastly in 2024, before his tenure ends. == Personal life ==

San Luis is married to Doris Laviña of Cabuyao, Laguna. Rai-Ann Agustine (Rai-Ann, born 1983), Francis Joseph (Milo) and Felicisimo Mateo (Bingbong). San Luis also plays golf as his sports. == Controversies ==

‘Bogus’ impeachment complaint After San Luis endorsement of the three-page Impeachment Complaint filed by lawyer Roberto Rafael Pulido against President Arroyo. He was accused of being bribed to endorse the ‘bogus’ complaint so the Pro-Estrada opposition would be barred from filing their own complaint to the House of Representatives, respectively. PDAF scam San Luis was accused, along with other lawmakers, of being involved in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam (Pork barrel scam) of Janet Lim-Napoles, a Filipina businesswoman who was believed to be the mastermind of the scam. As stated by the whistleblowers, he got 100 million pesos from the Congressional Pork barrel system. Fake COMELEC staffs Prior to the 2025 elections, San Luis was once again involved in a controversy. This time over the arrested fake COMELEC staff and NBI agents. He was alleged as one of the masterminds of the fake staff and agents so that they could favor the election results for them. San Luis denied the allegations against him. == References ==