Philippine Midterm Elections 2013: Ousted President Joseph Estrada Wins As Manila Mayor
Twelve years after he was sentenced guilty of plunder, Joseph Estrada is now mayor of Philippines capital Manila.
Former Philippines President Joseph Estrada was proclaimed as mayor of the country's main capital Manila on May 14, a day after local elections.
The Manila mayoral seat signals the return of the ex-president to government office after his ouster from the presidency 12 years ago due to perjury and plunder charges.
With his popularity with the masses being a long-time celebrity and local politician, Mr Estrada once again sealed his victory with a promise that he will solve the city's burgeoning poverty and crime problems.
Moments after the 76-year old ex-president was proclaimed in a stadium, he spoke to the media of his plans as newly elected mayor. "I have no other desire in the final years of my life than to offer my experience in public service, to give everything I can to uplift the poor," he said.
Mr Estrada, or Erap as he's more popularly known among Filipinos, has a career in government service that spans almost 50 years. He first ran for public office in 1967 as mayor of another metropolitan city San Juan, a post which he held for nearly two decades. He later ran and was elected senator, and in 1992 won as vice president under the National People's Coalition party.
In 1998, he won the presidential elections but barely three years in office he was slapped with an impeachment case due to perjury and plunder charges. He was acquitted in his perjury case but was found guilty of plunder and was sentenced Reclusion Perpetua by the Sandiganbayan. Mr Estrada later filed for "full, free and unconditional pardon" during the term of his successor, ex-Philippine president Gloria Arroyo. In his application, he sought pardon while committing to never run in any public office again.
In 2007, the Arroyo government released Mr Estrada and granted him executive clemency restoring all his civil and political rights.
As now mayor of Manila, Mr Estrada vows to his constituents that he will "revive the vigor of Manila that we can be proud of." He toppled the incumbent mayor Alfredo Lim, an 83-year old ex-Manila police chief who also once served as interior secretary in Mr Estrada's cabinet.
Partial results from Monday's congressional and local elections reveal that nine senatorial candidates from the administration are taking the early lead while three candidates from the opposition have also figured in the magic 12 slots. Almost half the total votes cast in have already been counted.
