JOINT-CRISIS COMMITTEE

JCC:ESTRADA

Topic: The Fall of Joseph Estrada, Philippines Constitutional Coup

BACKGROUND GUIDE (COMING SOON)

Committee Profile

It’s the year 2000, and President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s administration, once buoyed by a landslide victory and populist promises, is now under siege from mounting allegations of corruption, cronyism, and gambling payoffs. The Loyalist Estrada Bloc—which is comprised of cabinet officials, legislative allies, media giants, and economic stakeholders—stands as the president’s primary line of political defense, tasked with safeguarding his legitimacy, preserving stability, and holding together the coalition’s rural and working-class base amid swelling opposition protests in Metro Manila. As impeachment proceedings loom and investor confidence falters, the bloc must coordinate a united strategy to rally public support, contain dissent within government ranks, and counter a rapidly deteriorating narrative before political momentum irreversibly shifts to Estrada’s adversaries, all the while navigating internal political struggle, allyships, and potential ground for administration reform.

  • Rashid Jeff Bernard Araula - Committee Chair (JCC:ESTRADA)

    University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

    Rashid Jeff Bernard Araula or JB is a third-year student the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He is double majoring in Political Science and Filipino Arts, Language, and Culture. He is finishing up his final semester, while working as staff for Congresswoman Jill Tokuda of Hawaiʻi's Second Congressional District. He has a burning passion for politics and policy, ignited by his years of experience in Model UN as both a delegate and a chair. If he isn't doing either, you'll catch him playing video games or boogie-boarding Kauaʻi's various shores.

  • Young man in a business suit smiling, wearing a conference name badge around his neck, standing against a textured beige wall.

    Benjamin Phipps - Head Crisis Director (JCC:ESTRADA)

    University of California, Davis

    Benjamin Phipps is a fourth year student at the University of California Davis, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Human Rights and Anthropology. He participated in Model UN all throughout high school, also taking on various administrative roles within the club. In his free time, Benjamin is a musician with a beat tape called “Bad Therapy” released on SoundCloud under the name Psue Donim in January 2025, with much more music coming later this year. This will be his 6th PacMUN (3 as a delegate and 3 as a Crisis Director) and he is very excited to meet all of you wonderful delegates this year! Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

  • A young woman sitting on the hood of a blue car outdoors, smiling and wearing a white polka dot top and black shorts with trees in the background.

    Zoe Kim Nguyen - Coordinating Crisis Director (JCC: ESTRADA)

    San José State University

    Zoe Kim Nguyen, or simply Zoe, is a fourth-year at San José State University majoring in Behavioral Science. She is passionate about reducing recidivism and hopes to pursue a career in criminal justice reform. With over five years of experience in Model United Nations, including serving as a board member at Santa Teresa High School, Zoe does her best to make conferences fun and educational. This will be her first time serving as a staff member at PacMUN, though she has previously participated as a delegate. In her free time, Zoe enjoys working on her Honda Civic, building Lego sets, and baking 5 dozen cookies just for fun.