Erap to boost campaign after Comelec nod on candidacy

Former President Joseph Estrada on Thursday said he is looking to boost his electoral campaign now that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given him the go signal to pursue the presidency once more. In an interview over GMA News' Unang Hirit, Estrada said many people have expressed willingness to contribute to his campaign after the Comelec dismissed two petitions to disqualify him from running for president in the May elections. [See: Comelec allows Erap to run in May 10 polls] "Marami namang gustong tumulong; dagdagan yung TV ads dahil medyo mahal ng konti eh kaya maraming gustong tumulong ngayon lalo na nung lumabas yung desisyon sa Comelec (There are many who want to help; TV ads are expensive so many are willing to help, especially after the Comelec released its decision)," the former president said. Estrada said he would also continue his "Lakbay Pasasalamat" to thank his supporters who stood by him even while he was incarcerated. With the Comelec decision, Estrada expressed confidence that he would rise higher in surveys on preferred presidential candidates, noting that he consistently ranked third even back when there were doubts on the legitimacy of his renewed bid for the presidency. The decision, however, is not yet final since the petitioners can still appeal the same before the Comelec en banc and even the Supreme Court.
Quite ironically, the Comelec's Second Division released its decision allowing Estrada to have another shot at the presidency on the same day that he was forced out of office nine years ago. Highest vote Estrada was elected president in 1998 with over 10 million votes, the highest vote a presidential candidate ever had in Philippine history. After less than three years in power, he was toppled by a popular uprising many dub as "EDSA Dos" amid corruption allegations and before an impeachment court could rule on his case. In September 2007, Estrada was convicted by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan for plunder, sentenced to reclusion perpetua and disqualified from seeking public office. A month later, however, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo granted him executive clemency, thus restoring his political and civil rights, including his right to run for public office. To this day, Estrada maintains that the Edsa Dos uprising--which consequently propelled then-Vice President Arroyo to the presidency--was a mistake. "Si President Cory Aquino, she touched my heart nung siya sa publiko humingi ng tawad sa akin sa pagkakamali ng Edsa Dos," he said in the same television interview. Cory apology The late former President Aquino, who was the first to be propelled to the presidency through people power after millions of Filipinos supported a military uprising against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, was one of the leaders of EDSA Dos. However, she publicly apologized to Estrada in December 2008 for helping oust him. [See: 'Guilty' Cory says sorry to Estrada for EDSA 2 revolt] A day after the Comelec allowed Estrada to run again, pro-Estrada ads calling on people to right the supposed wrongs of EDSA Dos were published in newspapers. "Ang pagkakamali ng Edsa Dos... Iwasto natin sa May 2010... Ibalik ang Pwersa sa Masa (Right the wrongs of EDSA-Dos in May 2010. Bring the power to the masses)," the message of the ad went. The ads, placed in Metro Manila broadsheets and tabloids, featured a photo of Estrada's wrist with his "trademark" wristband with the presidential seal, reaching out to the masses. Quotes from personalities questioning the impact of EDSA Dos on the Constitution were featured in the ads. Also included in the ads were apologies to Estrada by Mrs. Aquino and Catholic bishop Antonio Tobias. - Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV