Ex-Philippine president Joseph Estrada eyes Manila mayoralty
Graft-tainted former president wants to end his colourful political career as mayor of Manila
In typically colourful fashion, graft-tainted former Philippine president Joseph Estrada launched his campaign for mayor of Manila yesterday in what he described as his "last hurrah" in politics.
The one-time movie actor, who turns 76 on April 19, said he wanted to end his political career as the mayor of a city where he was born and in whose slums he remains hugely popular.
"I was born in Manila, I first became a famous actor in Manila, so my career has come full circle," Estrada said before addressing thousands of supporters donning shirts in his trademark orange.
"But this is my last hurrah in politics. I just want to clean up Manila and put its affairs in order before retiring," he said.
Estrada said his first priority was to bring urban renewal in the capital city of 1.6 million people, many of whom live in slums plagued by petty crime.
He said he also planned to fight rising crime and end alleged corruption at city hall.
The self-confessed former womaniser and heavy drinker said he could "still jog a kilometre thrice a week" and was healthy enough for the day-to day-rigours of running one of the country's busiest city halls.