Ousted Philippine President Vying for Re-Election

Ousted Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada solidified his intent to run – again – for the highest elective office in the country on 2010.

In the National Convention of the United Opposition (UNO), Estrada’s political party, held at Tondo, Manila on October 21, thousands of supporters witnessed the acceptance of his nomination as the party’s standard bearer for the presidential race.

UNO chairperson and Makati Mayor Jejomar “Jojo” Binay was chosen as Estrada’s running mate. Binay was the party’s original choice as the standard bearer but he paved way for Estrada.

United Opposition also announced the unofficial senatorial line-up of the party for next year’s election. Included the line-up, and present in the convention, were Estrada’s son and incumbent senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and whistle blower Joey De Venecia.

Other individuals in the shortlist but were not able to attend were detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III,

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago of the People Reform’s Party and Rep. Rodolfo Plaza of the Nationalist People’s Coalition will also be in Estrada’s line-up as guest senatoriables.

Legality of candidacy

Questions of the legality of Estrada’s candidacy immediately arise after the latter’s proclamation.

In the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it is clearly stated that no individual is allowed to run for a second term as president.

Estrada’s legal consultants, however, are saying that the constitution “prohibits the reelection of an incumbent president” and “those who have completed their six-year term”.

Estrada is not under of any of these provisions.

Estrada won the 1998 National Elections but was forced to leave the office three years later due to a massive protest action held against him.

Known as the EDSA People Power Revolution 2, millions of Filipinos gathered together to call for Estrada’s resignation. (EDSA 1 occurred in 1986, ousting dictator Ferdinand Marcos and instilling Nobel Peace Prize nominee and 1986 Time Magazine Woman of the Year Corazon Aquino),

Estrada was accused by his former ally, then Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, of bribery and acceptance of kickbacks from jueteng — an illegal gambling activity in the country.

Estrada was found guilty of plunder after six years of trial but was immediately pardoned by President Gloria M. Arroyo a few days later.

Several rumors said that the initial condition of Arroyo to pardon Estrada was his pledge not to run for any elective office.

In an interview by GMA Network after his proclamation, Estrada denied the rumors and said that in the papers he signed after the pardon, it was stated that he was given his “elective rights” back.

“Giving back my elective rights means I can also run fro any public office,” he said in Filipino.

Debates of the legality of his candidacy are expected to worsen as the 2010 elections in May approaches.

“Erap is Back”

Few hours before his proclamation, major Philippine dailies published Estrada and Binay’s advertisements. Included in the ad were statements from Supreme Court Justices stated as if they support Estrada’s candidacy and condemns his ouster.

Chief Justice Renato Puno, however, immediately released his statement saying that the texts quoted in the advertisement were not pertaining to Estrada but to another politician.

Also in the ad was the statement of former president Aquino apologizing for her participation in calling for Estrada’s ouster in 2001.

Aquino’s son, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III previously proclaimed his intent to run for president and is busy travelling around the country.

In a television advertisement, Estrada is seen shaking hands with the common people wearing his trademark orange shirt and wristband.

Estrada is a former actor and is known for his slogan “Erap para sa mahirap” (Erap for the poor). In the final part of the TV ad, Estrada is shown fiercely saying “Erap is back”.

Estrada’s proclamation is expected to create ripples in the presidential surveys. Currently, Senator Aquino tops the recent surveys due to his sudden popularity after former president Aquino’s death in August.

Other possible presidential aspirants are Senators Manuel Villar, Richard Gordon, Jamby Madrigal, Francis Escudero, and Loren Legarda, Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Public Works and Highways Secretary Jun Ebdane.