Edgardo Bautista Espiritu is a Filipino lawyer, diplomat, and banker. He served as Secretary of the Department of Finance during the Estrada administration before resigning and testifying against Estrada during the latter's impeachment trials[1]
Edgardo Espiritu | |
|---|---|
| 24th Secretary of Finance | |
| In office July 1, 1998 – December 31, 1999 | |
| President | Joseph Estrada |
| Preceded by | Salvador Enriquez |
| Succeeded by | Jose Pardo |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Awards | The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award |
He later served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland.[2]
Early life and education
editEspiritu received his law degree from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1958.[1] He is a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity.
Career
editBanking and finance
editEspiritu served as president of Metrobank, the Philippine National Bank, and Westmont Bank.[2]
Secretary of Finance
editEspiritu was appointed Secretary of Finance by President Joseph Estrada in 1998. He resigned in 1999 due to corruption in the Estrada administration.[3]
Espiritu testified during the impeachment trial of President Joseph Estrada. He testified that Estrada held BW Resources stock and was making money from them.[4][5] He flew to the US after receiving death threats.[3]
Diplomatic career
editEspiritu served as Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland.[2]
Legacy
editEspiritu was the longest-serving president of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association. During his term, he oversaw the construction of the Ang Bahay ng Alumni building located in the Diliman campus.[1]
In 2019, Espiritu was conferred with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association's Most Distinguished Alumnus award. In 2020, the University of the Philippines conferred him with degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa, cited for his "achievements and unimpeachable character in the areas of banking and finance, economics, public service, and entrepreneurship."[1]
Espiritu was conferred The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award in 2013.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Encarnacion, Andre DP (2020-11-27). "UP to confer honorary degree on UP Law alumnus and former Finance Sec. Edgardo Espiritu". University of the Philippines. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ a b c Media, U. P.; Office, Public Relations (2020-12-03). "Amb. Edgardo Espiritu receives honorary UP doctorate, advocates against judicial corruption". University of the Philippines. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ a b Arquiza, by Rey. "Espiritu gets death threats, flees to US". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Hookway, James. "Estrada Held BW Resources Stock, Former Finance Secretary Testifies". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Dones, Liberty. "Espiritu to talk on P15-B GSIS, SSS trust funds". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Still counting, TOFIL marks its 26th year of recognizing great Filipino achievers". GMA News Online. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2024-03-05.