Estrada seeks redemption in RP election
MANILA - Riding one of the Philippines' iconic "jeepney" mini-buses used by the poor, Joseph Estrada burst into Manila's dockside slums to begin a seven-month drive aimed at returning him to the presidential palace.
"This is the last performance of my life," the 72-year-old former movie star told a crowd of about 10,000 fans in his trademark husky voice as he officially launched his election campaign last week.
Elected president by a record margin during the Asian crisis in 1998, but then impeached for massive corruption and toppled in a bloodless military coup in 2001, Estrada is seeking redemption through his unlikely campaign.
To this day he denies having taken bribes from illegal gambling operators, embezzling millions of dollars in tobacco taxes and wasting his mandate through inept rule.
He insists it was his replacement, incumbent President Arroyo, who drove the Southeast Asian nation further into poverty and chaos through corruption.
But, although Mrs. Arroyo pardoned him in 2007 after he was sentenced to life in jail for graft, Estrada maintains he has been deeply victimized by the nation's elite.
"I was also a flood victim," he told the crowd, invoking the widespread suffering wrought by a series of tropical storms that claimed more than 1,000 lives in Manila and the northern Philippines over the past month.
"I was convicted based on a flood of lies unleashed by the elite and those who are hungry for power."
Estrada, a college dropout from a large, middle-class family, was born at a Tondo district hospital near the basketball court-size stage where he announced he would contest the May 10, 2010 presidential election.
He gained his immense popularity through a career as an action movie star in which he played tough guy roles defending the poor.
And while he enjoys a lifestyle the Tondo slum dwellers could only dream of living, Estrada's theme for the next election is the same as when he first ran for president -- that he is the poor masses' best chance for a better life.
His rhetoric buys a ready audience among the tens of thousands living a precarious existence in Tondo.
"We would go to prison for him if they cheated him out of an election victory," vowed Rita Hingpes, a 54-year-old grandmother in the crowd.
Hingpes said she spent five days in a Manila prison in May 2001 after being detained for joining tens of thousands of Estrada supporters who stormed the Malacañang presidential palace armed only with rocks and placards in a failed bid to restore their idol to power.
"Erap loves the poor," echoed Hingpes' neighbor, 44-year-old housewife Fe Juanio, calling Estrada by his nickname which means "pal" or "chum" in the local vernacular, spelt in reverse.
Segundo Romero, political science professor at Manila's De La Salle University, told AFP that Estrada was hoping for popular absolution in next year's election.
"He wants to clear his name and absolve himself," Romero said.
Poll numbers show Estrada retains some support among the nation's poor, scoring 18 percent in a poll of preferred presidential candidates this month, putting him among the top three front-runners.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III, the son of democracy icon Corazon Aquino, was the clear leader with 60 percent, while property tycoon Sen. Manuel Villar was in second place.
"He's going to get a big chunk of the vote, but I don't think he's going to win," Romero said when asked to assess Estrada's chances.
Before he even gets to election day, Estrada faces a big legal hurdle.
A key condition of Estrada's pardon by Mrs. Arroyo was that he not run for president again, while the Philippine constitution limits presidents to a single term.
Opponents have said they will file legal challenges to strike down Estrada's presidential bid, but he insists he has received sound advice that he can run. Ultimately, it may be an issue the Supreme Court has to rule on.
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CULMINATION OF EDSA TRES
ITO NA ANG PINAKAHIHINTAY NG EDSA TRES. ANG PAGBABALIK NI ASIONG SALONGA, ANG TUNAY NA KAKAMPI NG MASANG PILIPINO.
SULONG PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO!!!
erap!
ginutom kami ni Gloria, tinangalan ng karapatang mamili at mabuhay ng marangal. Kamiy hinamak ng lubusan, inaapi tinatawanan. Kamiy tinuring na basahan. Sila bay makatuwiran?we will vote for him again and again. Its time to bring back our government to the people. We will win again! We will beat them again!
erap!
Ginutom kami ni Gloria, tinangalan kami ng karapatang mamili, karapatang mamuhay n marangal, "Kami'y hinamak ng lubusan, Inaapi tinatawan" Sila bay makatuwiran? Hinde namin hangad ang karangyaan. Mabuhay lng ng simple at payak. Kaming mahihina ang dapat pinoprotektahan ng ating mga matatayug na lider, pero hinde ganun ang nangyayare. Panahon na para ibalik sa tao ang Gobyerno. Gobyerno ng tao, hinde ng sila sila lang. We will vote for ESTRADA once again! We will win!
Hypocrisy and ignorance is no excuse
to prettyboy, no_body, and awe:
You guys seem very comfortable with the current situation in the country and seems enjoying it by the fact you showed no gratitude to the feelings of others who were hurt by the doings of this dirty politicians. "Lounie Louie" has feelings and probably is suffering - a victim of corruption or perhaps typhoon. If Filipinos don’t feel any sense of pity or pain for himself and others then what do we expect to happen to the Philippines?
Everyone has the right and freedom to express his/her grievances in this democratic country of ours. Just show some respect. When people are disgusted, don’t tell them to be nice because you are out of this world and as heartless as the trapos.
And, guess who are sensible? Tell the devil to be nice to the Filipinos...if you are not one of the devil yourself.
Please note: This forum is intended to discuss about the column or news and not about other readers comments. Respect the right of others. People say f**k or s**t whenever they like because that’s how they fell and they can’t keep that. Don’t try playing smart ass or sounds motherly or priestly because you have no right to do that. Their life is their own, but sadly, in a country with you.
Your ignorance is no excuse.
Pangkanto? Is Erap and Tondo cannot be levelled as such? Stupid, crappy, ignorant, immoral, corrupt, etc? Or, you just don’t like the tagalog of this terms.
One important thing for the Philippines to change is for all to unite and encourage each other to act/voice out what they feel until such time the trapos will take notice and change. Fence setting and pacute-cute as “awe” did is embarrassing and bad for the country. The signs of hope for Philippines is when trapos go to a real jail and people go to street to protest. That is when filipinos start to feel, act and move to get what it wants.
Comelec to enforce the law of disqualification
Article 7 Section 4 of the 1987 Philippines says:
1.) The President shall not be eligible for any re-election.
Joseph Estrada was President-elect, qualified and acted as President in 1998 to 2001 so therefore is not eligible for re-election.
2.) No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.
Section 8. The person to succeed or act as the President in case of death, permanent disability, REMOVAL FROM OFFICE, or resignation of the President-elect is the Vice-President who shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. And if both the President-elect and Vice-President fails to act as President, due to the same cause as above, then the Senate President will succeed else the House Speaker.
For example, Gloria Arroyo succeeded Joseph Estrada in 2001 and acted as President until 2004 which is less than four years (2001 to 2004) is therefore qualified for election as President in May 2004.
Therefore, since the law says “The President shall not be eligible for any re-election” then Joseph Estrada cannot run for the same office or President at any time or the May 2010 election. Hence, Joseph Estrada is breaking the law and should be sued together with Melo and Comelec for betrayal of trust or failing to enforce the constitution should they accept the application and allow or qualify Erap to run.
Please note: Gloria Arroyo is a deceitful witch could have made a bargain with the devil name Erap before pardoning to create chaos and hell this coming election (particularly to the opposition – Lacson, etc.). Melo from Comelec is deceitful - playing dumb on this issue and a follower of the witch - Gloria to create mayhem in the Catholic (no better than a Samaritan) country. So, beware because after the typhoon hell will lose.....
To hell to Filipinos who will not listen and heed to act against this devils.......
Wherever you hide, your comfort zone will soon break and force you to confront face-to-face the devil every Filipino have created and continue to create..... ‘till then take care.
And bahong Presidente ng Pilipinas?
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/object2/373/16/n165469911466_138.jpg
REAL CAUSE OF CORRUPTION
AFP- Arm Forces of the Philippines,their JOB is to protect
the constitution.
AWOL-Absent Without Leave, military or police disobeyed
the pledge of allegiation of constitution.
MP- Military Police,to catch AWOL and military abuses
their power.
PDOM- Political Drama of Officials in Military
NOL- No implementation of Laws
TACL- Tolerate All Corrupt Leader
PMA- Philippine Military Academy , from North Luzon
PMMA- Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, from North Luzon
90 percent of graduated here , from North Luzon
UP- University of Philippines, 90 percent graduated from North Luzon
NPA- New People's Army, from North Luzon
President- from North Luzon
Senator- from North Luzon
Cabinet member- from North Luzon
Candidate for President- from North Luzon
Candidate for Senator-from North Luzon
It's time to bring military schools in MANILA, so all poor and smart Filipino can participate.We need a real officer and a gentleman.These are the real reasons why Philippines were corrupted country.
BRING MILITARY SCHOOLS IN MANILA, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION.
Yan ang sensible and
Yan ang sensible and responsible comments (to prettyboy and no_body).
Hinde yung mag me mention ka ng UNNECESSARY terms na medyo pang kanto.
LET THE SC DECIDE?
as far as ive heard of what is written it says it prohibits only to those elected president whom have served morethan 4 years, so far estrada served only below 4 years. Mrs.Arroyo give him pardon and it says his civil rights is restore but prohibits him to run again in any political post. so, this scenario have to be legally in a debate in coming days as long as he filed for candidacy? so, as far as i am concerned just let the supreme court to decide?
8S HARD TO SAY?
Filipinos were among the respected and educated people in Asia: being a Filipino I am proud of it no matter what it is? Some people say that our nation has lost its hope to be change but I won’t believe it? Some people say that they are ashamed to be a Filipino I don’t think all about it? Why? - It is because if you are men who really know who you are? Why you are here? And where you would end or where you go? You cannot say some words as excuse to be a mankind! We have to realize that all these things in the real world are temporary! and now, if were talking about the reality of life we must thank to all guys out here that seems shouting that they are willing to served our nation and countrymen as a whole. Why we don’t ask ourselves if we can do what they can or if you think you must better than them then go out and take a challenge on the same rather to judge them by our non-sense attack that may affect only to ourselves and as Filipinos. Why don’t we ask ourselves on how can we deliver some services or how can we do something for our country! If we don’t like them as Candidate for Public Service then why we both for them? It’s better to do something rather than to shout out of nothing at all. At least they are doing something? Just let them run for what so called public service this is democratic country but we had to assure them that our votes have to be the power. We cannot judge them by our thoughts but one of us must have to assured that we have already registered and can be legitimate to vote. And remember there is always sunshine after the rain……peace!