MANILA, October 22, 2009 (AFP) - Former Philippine leader Joseph Estrada has won the political backing of the family of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos in his fresh bid for the presidency, the candidate's camp said Thursday.Estrada's party announced a nine-member senatorial ticket for the May 10 presidential election that includes Marcos's son, the legislator Ferdinand Junior and also Estrada's senator son Jose Ejercito.
Both Estrada and Marcos senior were the only two Filipino leaders to have been ousted in bloodless, military-backed popular uprisings.
Marcos was toppled in 1986 after 20 years in power while Estrada followed in 2001, three years into his six-year term. Both men have been accused of plundering state coffers while in power.
Estrada and the family of Marcos senior, who died in exile in Hawaii in 1989, deny the allegations. Estrada was later convicted of plunder but was pardoned by incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The Estrada senatorial ticket also includes senate president Juan Ponce Enrile and Danilo Lim, an army general who is in prison and on trial for an alleged coup plot against Arroyo.
Though he is among the frontrunners according to independent surveys, Estrada, a 72 year-old populist and former film star, runs the risk of being disqualified because the constitution sets a single-term presidency.
Estrada argues, however, that this does not apply in his case - as he did not complete his term in office.
Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/226046/e
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