VICE-PRESIDENT Joseph Estrada, 61, is everything a presidential candidate should not be: multiple adulterer, gambler, college drop-out, inarticulate speaker, heavy drinker, smoker and overeater, and known for friendly underworld links.
The traditional power bases - the Catholic Church, the old rich and the middle class - have discredited him.
But the former actor is reportedly leading the vote race, with support from the same social class that lapped up movies in which he portrayed hoodlums fighting for the poor against the greedy.
Political analyst Amando Doronila said a victory for Mr Estrada would mean the poor voted for their illusion, not reality, while phone repairman Fred Rosal said: 'We've tried smart presidents. Let's try someone dumb who we know has us in his heart.'
