Ousted Filipino leader announces election bid

MANILA, Philippines – Ousted leader Joseph Estrada, convicted of plunder and later pardoned, said Wednesday he wants to run in next year's elections despite legal challenges and immediate objections to the idea of his political comeback.

"This will be the final, final performance of my life," Estrada told The Associated Press. "I should not fail the Filipino people in this next chapter."

Estrada said he would formally announce his plans later Wednesday in Manila's slums _ the base of legions of his supporters who propelled him to movie stardom, then to political power.

A return to politics would mark a new episode in Estrada's checkered life, which many say has been as colorful as his B-movies.

The 72-old-year stepped down amid massive anti-corruption protests in 2001 after serving only half of his six-year term. He was convicted of economic plunder in September 2007 but was immediately granted a pardon by his successor and political nemesis, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Rivals are expected to challenge his candidacy before the Supreme Court and invoke a constitutional ban on a second term for any president.

A study by his legal team, Estrada said, indicated he was not covered by the ban because he was illegally forced from power. Arroyo, who was elected vice president separately, helped lead the military-backed protests, then succeeded him.

"I was demonized then unconstitutionally removed," Estrada said.

Albert Lim, spokesman of the Makati Business Club, a prestigious group of the country's top business executives, said Estrada's poor record as president and his criminal conviction should be enough reasons for him not to run again.

"Going by his track record, why should anyone think that he'll be a good president?" Lim asked. "He won't be good for business."

Despite his ouster, conviction and detention, Estrada steadfastly denied the charges of plundering Philippine coffers through kickbacks and illegal gambling payoffs. He never parted with a visible symbol of his power _ his trademark wristband with the presidential seal, which he intended to wear in a major public rally in his power base _ Manila's Tondo slum district.

"During the lowest point in my life, the poor did not abandon me," he said. "I'll announce my candidacy in their midst and I won't fail them this time."

Estrada rose to movie stardom in his early 20s, playing tough guys with a soft spot for the needy _ roles that earned him the hearts of the masses that make up almost half of the population. In the 1970s, he won five best actor awards in the Philippines' version of the Oscars.

Estrada entered politics in 1969 with his election as mayor of Manila's San Juan suburb, a post he kept for 17 years. He was elected senator in 1987, then vice president in 1992 despite a life of boozing, gambling and womanizing _ foibles that humanized and endeared him to ordinary Filipinos but disturbed the influential Roman Catholic Church and the business community.

He has acknowledged fathering children with several women other than his wife.

He banked on his macho, Filipino everyman charisma and a pro-poor platform in the impoverished Asian nation of 90 million people to win the presidency in 1998 with one of the largest margins in recent memory.

Kris names other celebrities for Noynoy

MANILA - Actress-host Kris Aquino thanked all the celebrities who have volunteered to help the candidacy of her only brother, Senator Benigno "Noynoy" III, in the May 2010 presidential elections.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Wednesday, Kris admitted that she has already received calls and text messages from stars who are willing to help campaign for her brother.

The Queen of Talk said she's really overwhelmed and touched by the expressions of support from her friends in showbiz.

"Naiyak ako talaga kasi pinadala ni Ogie Alcasid 'yung song na he wrote for Noy. Regine sang it, they recorded it," Kris said.

She also shared that Concert King Martin Nievera will be composing a song for Noynoy. The song will be performed by Nievera and Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla.

"Mayroon siyang kinompose naman na awitin niya with Zsa Za," she said.

To show their gratitude--and for the stars to personally meet her brother--the Aquino family will host a dinner for them on October 4, Sunday.

"I'm really overwhelmed kasi with so many stars, it just took a text or a call, and [now] we are having dinner with a lot of them [on] October 4, kasi we want them to meet Noynoy. Its ‘getting to know you’ kasi it's important na 'yong taong susuportahan mo makilala mo at makausap mo," she said.

Kris also said there are 16 stars who confirmed have their attendance to the dinner.

Among the celebrities expected to come are Mariel Rodriguez, Claudine Barretto, Bea Alonzo, Anne Curtis and Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson. They have offered to help Noynoy.

"Si Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, we worked together and we are very good friends. And I told her 'I didn't ask you because I didn't want any political color and I didn't want to put you on the spot.' And she said, 'But Kris, I love you and your family and that's why I'm texting you, you have my support, and whatever materials I can give you, it's my personal donation to you,'" Kris said.

Kris also said she cried when she learned about Pokwang's decision to support her brother instead of another presidential candidate.

"Kay Pokwang, naiyak ako don talaga kasi malaking bagay 'yon. Sabi ko, 'Hindi namin kayang tapatan kung ano ang ino-offer sa iyo.' Sabi niya, 'Ano ka ba? Mahal kita at mahal ko si Noy.' Yon, so many people, instead na kumita pa sa kampyang, ito nag-aabono pa for us," she said.

While Pokwang's support made Kris cry, she laughed after reading Queen of Comedy Ai-Ai delas Alas's text message.

"I just wanted to say na thank you also talaga to Ai-Ai. Ang cute, kasi kasi sabi niya, 'Friendship, huwag mo lang ako ipapadala kung saan ako makikidnap kasi alam ko wala kang pantubos sa akin.' So gusto kong mag-thank you sa kanilang lahat,” Kris said.

'No politics in hosting'

To avoid being accused of bias, Kris said that she has decided not to tackle politics in her shows, "The Buzz" and “SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon."

"It's just that ayaw kong may kulay and ayaw kong sabihan kami na I use my shows for Noy. I just really want to be careful about that. So, whenever there's...may politics involved or may mga news involved, I really try na si Boy ang nag-[ho-host or nagi-spiel noon]. And of course, if I have to answer anything on behalf of the family, I do," she said.

Kris said that she really wants to help and support her brother’s candidacy, but she stressed that she will now be doing it outside of her programs.

"Natural lang naman na gusto mong suportahan mo ang kapatid mo, pero mas maganda naman na magawa ko ito outside my work. Tutal naman ang kinikita ko sa work ko sa kanya na," Kris said.

'Real score with Korina'

After revealing in public that she and popular broadcaster Korina Sanchez have reestablished communications and are now “united” again in support of the Liberal Party tandem, Kris admitted that she has not had a chance to personally talk to Sanchez..

"Kasi mahirap naman na loving-loving na kami. We haven't seen each other, hindi pa kami nagkakausap. Naiintindihan ko na she's busy with her wedding," the host said.

Sanchez will be marrying Senator Mar Roxas, the erstwhile Liberal Party standard-bearer, on October 27. Roxas gave up his presidential bid in favor of Noynoy Aquino.

Kris said she's hoping that she and Korina will be able to find time to talk and bond again, but stressed that what is important now is their support for the men they love.

"Ang importante, si Noy at Mar ay nagkakasundo. Support lang naman kami dito, hindi kami bida. For once in our lives, kami ang nasa likod lang, so dapat kung naasan sila, doon kami," she said.

On Wednesday, September 23, Kris with her sisters Pinky, Viel and Ballsy, recorded rosary songs for Star Records. According to Kris, the CD is their birhday gift for their mom, the late President Corazon Aquino, who was known for her devotion to The Holy Rosary.

Sharon ups 'reward' money to P10-M!

Remember the P1-M “reward” money Sharon Cuneta put up last year for whoever could produce “hard evidence” (pictures, etc.) that her husband, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, has a mistress?

Sharon named that “price” sure as she is that the persistent rumor is untrue and without basis.

Don’t look now but Sharon is even willing to raise the amount to — hold your breath — P10-M because she said she knows fully well, convinced beyond any doubt, that the rumor is the product of an evil mind’s wild imagination.

“In this age of the Internet and sophisticated cellphones,” said Sharon during a one-on-one with Funfare the other day after the press launch of her new album Children’s Rhymes and Lullabies (released by Sony Music), “how come nobody is producing any proof?”

The “old issue” was casually brought up during the one-on-one because Kiko has already announced his intention to run for vice president in the 2010 elections, again as an Independent like he did in 2007 when he ran for reelection.

For sure, skeletons will be rattled and Kiko’s opponents will dig up as much “dirt” (if any) as they can, including the yarn about his having “another woman” with whom he has not just one but two children (daw).

“What else can they throw at us?” asked Sharon. “Everything about us is public knowledge. There’s nothing left to dig up.”

Asked if she’s ready to be a Second Lady, Sharon said she is.

“It’s something you should prepare for.”

Sharon graced the Rock The Vote concert held a few days ago to encourage new voters (numbering more than one million) to register and, that’s it, vote in 2010. Kiko was among those who organized the event.

“I am supporting my husband all the way,” she stressed, adding that she and Kiko thoroughly discussed his 2010 plan before Kiko announced it. “I believe in my husband’s ability.”

Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos is being lured by some presidentiables as their running mate. If Gov. Vilma says “yes,” she’ll be pitted right smack with Kiko.

What if...? Funfare asked Sharon who is an avowed Vilmanian.

“Of course,” she said, “I will have to root for my husband. I’m sure Vilma will understand. If, for example, her husband Ralph (Recto, director-general of the National Economic Development Authority) would run against my husband, siempre Vilma would rally behind Ralph.”

In the meantime, while the start of the campaign is eight months away, Sharon is focused on her career.

Her latest movie, Star Cinema’s BFF (Best Friends Forever), a riotous comedy directed by Wenn Deramas and co-starring Ai-Ai delas Alas, shows to the hilt Sharon’s comic side which has never been fully exploited. BFF pokes fun at the two stars’ physical defects — Sharon’s excess poundage and Ai-Ai’s prominent chin — and moviegoers lap up with gusto the two stars’ self-deprecating humor.

“I enjoyed doing the movie,” admitted Sharon. “It was so much fun that after the shooting, I really missed everybody.”

She’s now busy promoting the Sony album which is divided into four parts, each consisting of English songs with corresponding Filipino translations: School/Learning Time (Alphabet Song, Seven Days a Week/Pitong Araw Sa Isang Linggo, Sampung Mga Daliri, etc.); Play Time (I’m A Little Teapot/Ako Ay Maliit na Pitsel, Maliliit Na Gagamba/Eency Weency Spider, etc.); Activity Time (Magtanim Ay Di Biro/Bahay Kubo, Leron Leron Sinta, etc.); and Sleep Time (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, When You Wish Upon A Star, etc.), plus the bonus track You’re My #1 from Sharon’s Nido Milk TV commercial. The CD comes with a Sing-Along with Sharon Disc 2.

She’s also preparing for her US concert tour that will start at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, produced by US-based journalist Jackie Regala; and, possibly, the production of an indie movie in which she herself might star.

But even if she and ex-husband Gabby Concepcion have recently already “made peace” personally when they crossed paths in ABS-CBN, much to the relief of their daughter KC who had been wishing for it, Sharon dismissed any possibility of them doing a “reconciliation” movie (preferably with KC) — not now anyway...not with the forthcoming 2010 elections.

“I don’t want my family to be dragged into the movie’s promotion and publicity,” said Sharon, referring especially to her and Kiko’s young daughters Frankie and Miel who are too young to draw a line between the reel and the real. “It’s enough that Gabby and I have talked na personally although we’d been talking on the phone.”

And what did she and Gabby talk about this time?

“Wala lang. About small things.”

Nothing heavy, really.