Estrada kicks off anti-poverty campaign

from ABS CBN

Former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada began his campaign against poverty with a visit to a slum in Tondo, Manila. It was Estrada's first up-close "reunion" with the urban poor, many of whom continue to support him.

It was also Estrada's first public activity since being granted executive clemency by President Gloria Arroyo on October 26.

Estrada went to Vitas area in Tondo accompanied by his son Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, and political allies former senator Ernesto Maceda, Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and Makati mayor Jejomar Binay.


Estrada and his companions were in Tondo for a medical mission launched by his wife and former senator Luisa Ejercito, bringing health personnel and medicines to provide free health services to the financially strapped residents.

"Gusto niyang makita ang kanyang mga kababayan dito sa Tondo. Talagang nami-miss na niya lalo na iyong mga mahihirap," said Estrada’s wife.

(He has wanted to see his townmates here in Tondo. He really missed them especially the poor.)

The 70-year-old Estrada was found guilty of plunder after a six-year trial, during which he was detained at his luxurious resthouse in Tanay.

He was convicted of plunder by the Sandiganbayan on September 12 and sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.

A little more than a month later, Estrada was granted executive clemency by President Arroyo, the former vice-president who ascended to his position after he was ousted in 2001.

The pardon was granted on condition that Estrada must never again seek public office while the anti-graft court's forfeiture orders on more than P500 miillion of Estrada's assets remain.

In his speech before the community in Vitas, the former president insisted that he was never guilty of plunder.

"Hindi ko kayo maaaring iiwan anuman ang mangyari. Kung sakali mang tinanggap ko ang pardon na iyan hindi nangangahulugang ako ay umaamin ng kasalanan. Wala po akong kasalanan.

"Kung may pagkakamali man ako sa aking panunungkulan bilang pangulo, yang pagnanakaw ay hindi po kasali iyan. Korapsyon ay hindi po kasali iyan. Ni isang kusing po wala akong ninakaw sa ating kabang-bayan," Estrada told the crowd.

(I will never abandon you no matter what happens. Even though I accepted the pardon it doesn't mean I admit that I'm guilty. I'm not guilty of anything. If ever I did anything wrong during my term as president, stealing and corruption were not among my offenses. I never stole a single cent from the national treasury.)

Former senator Ernesto Maceda gave a speech in which he suggested that the opposition might field Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, as a presidential candidate in 2008.

Estrada and his entourage went around Tondo in a motorcade that was warmly welcomed by residents.

Estrada recognizes Tondo as one of his bulwark of support, the reason he chose to visit the area after his release.

A huge banner that welcomed the former president described him as "Ama ng Masang Tondo" (Father of the Tondo Masses).

Estrada who earlier said that he would like to be known after his release as "plain citizen Erap" vowed immediately after he was released to continue his anti-poverty programs and projects – a promise he made especially during the 1998 presidential elections when his campaign slogan "Erap para sa mahirap! (Erap for the poor!)" was coined.