Erap gives food packs to Payatas folk on eve of 74th bday

(Updated 6:22 p.m.) On the eve of his 74th birthday, former President Joseph Estrada distributed food packs to residents of a depressed area in Quezon City Monday, a radio report said. Estrada went to the Payatas area in Quezon City to spread cheer to residents there, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported. He was also expected to make the rounds of other depressed areas and an orphanage in Metro Manila within the day, the report added. In a press statement, Vice President Jejomar Binay paid tribute to Estrada's "able leadership and unwavering love for the Filipino people, especially those who are less fortunate." Binay said he "is honored to have Estrada as his friend and ally as he continues to serve the country" and prayed that the former Philippine leader "be showered with happiness, peace and love on his birthday and throughout his life." Binay was Estrada's running mate during the May 2010 national elections. Popular The former president remains popular with the poor, having made fighting for the masses his political slogan. He was elected senator in 1987 and subsequently, won the vice presidential race in the 1992 elections. In 1998, he ran for the presidency and won based on his promise to uplift the lives of the poor, but was ousted in early 2001 on charges of corruption. He was the first Philippine president to be impeached, although the impeachment trial at the Senate was never completed. He was convicted of plunder in 2007 but was granted full pardon by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who as vice president was catapulted to power when Estrada was ousted in 2001. Estrada ran again in the May 2010 presidential elections, placing second to then Senator Benigno Aquino III. — RSJ, GMA News