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Estrada plans return to movies, politics

Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada, left, reaches out to greet supporters in Manila on Nov. 21 last year. Estrada said yesterday he was in talks with a local film company about the possibility of making a comedy movie. PHOTO: AP

Ousted Philippine president Joseph Estrada said yesterday he had decided to return to the movies, his original springboard to fame and power, and might consider trying for a political comeback following his historic corruption conviction.

Estrada said he has begun talks with a local film company for a possible comedy movie that could be shown later this year.

He said he was still undecided, however, about whether to try running in the next presidential election in 2010, when his political nemesis President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ends her term and by law cannot run again.

The country's constitution bars former presidents from seeking the post again, but Estrada's aides have argued that he may still be eligible because his term was abruptly cut in 2001 -- when rivals including Arroyo led the nonviolent "people power" movement that toppled him amid massive public demonstrations.

Estrada has been touring Manila's burgeoning shantytowns -- the base of legions of his impoverished followers and fans -- sparking speculations that he may be preparing for a political comeback.

He denied he was campaigning, saying his Manila slum trips were aimed at clearing his name and thanking his followers for electing his wife and son to the country's senate while he was detained.

"I'm not campaigning but thanking them and explaining to the people that ... I was unconstitutionally removed as president," Estrada told Manila radio station DZMM.

Estrada told The Associated Press, however, that he might consider running for president again if the fragmented opposition fails to unify behind a single candidate against the ruling party in the 2010 election.

"I may consider that if the opposition couldn't be united," Estrada said.
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