FORMER President and convicted plunderer Joseph Estrada filed Monday, Bonifacio Day, before the Commission of Elections his certificate of candidacy for the presidency in next year’s elections, expressing confidence that he will not be disqualified from running by the poll body and the High Court.
Elected president in 1998, Estrada’s six-year term was cut short when he was ousted in January 2001 after he was being tried by the Senate on plunder and other charges. He was convicted in 2007 and sentenced to life imprisonment, but was later pardoned by President Gloria Arroyo.
Philippine presidents can only hold a one-year term and cannot seek reelection.