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Estrada was a college drop-out who fist gained prominence as a movie actor. He played Robin Hood-type characters that battled the evil rich and defended the downtrodden. After making more than a hundred movies over three decades, Estrada was already a Hall of Fame award winner as a movie actor and producer. Through his movies and friendship with fellow actor Fernando Poe Jr., who was the most celebrated personality in the Philippine movie industry, Estrada endeared himself to the masses.
Estrada was among the first entertainment celebrities who ventured into politics. In 1969, he was elected mayor in his hometown of San Juan. The transformation of the sleepy suburban municipality into a bustling shopping and residential town was attributed to Estrada's leadership.
In 1987, Estrada was elected senator of the republic. He sponsored the Philippine Carabao Act and more significantly, he voted against the continued stay of two military bases of the United States in the Philippines. Estrada was recognized as a nationalist lawmaker while retaining his image as "man of the masses."
In 1992, Estrada was elected vice president of the country. He was also designated by former President Fidel Ramos as chair of the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission. Estrada used his position to make high-profile arrests of criminal warlords and kidnapping syndicates. Estrada further cemented his reputation as a tough leader and protector of ordinary people.
In 1998, Estrada was the landslide winner in the presidential elections. Estrada gathered the best technocrats and academicians to form his Cabinet. He even appointed former leftists in key government positions. Estrada's Cabinet ministers continue to insist that life was better during the short-lived term of Estrada compared to the succeeding administration.
From the start, Estrada's presidency was marred with controversy. Among his early pronouncements was his support for a hero's burial for former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. This statement generated protests from veteran anti-Marcos personalities.
Estrada alienated the left when he supported the return of U.S. troops in the country. He also launched military offensives against Muslim rebel communities in the south, which angered Muslim groups and peace advocates.
Estrada's relationship with the media after he became president was not pleasant. Estrada, who was sensitive to criticism, persuaded his friends in the movie industry to pull out advertisements in a major daily which was very critical of the president. In 1999, a mammoth gathering of protesters, civil libertarians and press freedom fighters denounced his authoritarian policies.
Estrada never denied that he had several mistresses. He was also known as a voracious drinker and gambler. A former government minister confessed that Estrada had a "midnight cabinet" where national policies were crafted while the president was drinking and gambling with close friends.
Estrada's term coincided with the rise of texting and use of mobile phones in the Philippines. Filipinos used texting to send humorous messages about the president's perceived incompetence, gambling, drinking and romantic adventures. This helped in undermining his credibility.
In October 2000, one of Estrada's drinking buddies exposed that the president was receiving money from gambling operations. This confession was used as the basis to impeach Estrada in the House of Representatives. Numerous tales of his luxurious living surfaced in the media while the senate was proceeding with the impeachment trial. Protest rallies snowballed, which forced Estrada to leave the presidential palace. His vice president, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, replaced him as president of the republic.
Estrada's arrest in April 2001 was broadcast on national TV. This provoked thousands of Estrada supporters to storm the presidential palace and demand the ouster of Arroyo. This unprecedented display of devotion of the poor for Estrada was interpreted by the former president as proof that he still had the support of the people. Until today, Estrada has maintained his innocence of the charges of plunder and perjury. He accused the church, business groups and the elite of conspiring to unseat him in 2001.
Estrada was allowed by the court to stay at his vacation estate while the trial was ongoing. He remained a powerful figure in Philippine politics despite being under house arrest. In fact, Estrada's endorsement was sought by many candidates in the senatorial elections a few months ago. He believes he was vindicated by the people when his wife and son emerged victorious in the senate race while the person who exposed Estrada's connection with gambling lords lost in the elections.
Estrada's popularity increased when his successor was accused of committing corruption, electoral fraud and human rights violations. A witness testified that Arroyo's family is also receiving money from gambling lords. Many were indifferent to the guilty verdict against Estrada since they believe the sitting president should be charged with plunder as well. Arroyo's alleged sins far outweigh what Estrada committed against the Filipino people.
The guilty verdict brought against Estrada has shown that the most powerful leader of a country can be punished for violating the law. But this is only possible if the leader is ousted from power. In order to prosecute Arroyo, she must first either resign her position or be forced to relinquish her authority.
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(Mong Palatino is a Filipino youth activist, correspondent for Global Voices and news editor of Yehey!, a Philippine-based Web portal. He can be reached at mongpalatino@gmail.com. His website is www.mongpalatino.motime.com. ©Copyright Mong Palatino.)
