Erap: 12 years after EDSA II, the tide has turned

MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada believes the truth has set him free 12 years after he was ousted from Malacañang.

Speaking to reporters at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila where he launched a fun run for the youth of Manila, Estrada said the tables have turned in his favor.

“(Gloria Macapagal) Arroyo is now charged with plunder and incarcerated at the Veterans Memorial Hospital, where I was also detained,” he said.

Estrada said he was not guilty of graft and corruption, and that the impeachment trial against him was black propaganda to oust him.

“My ouster and the installation of Arroyo was unconstitutional,” he said.

“I was charged with plunder, only so that I would be imprisoned with a non-bailable offense. I was tried and convicted by a kangaroo court, the first special court in the history of the country, created especially to convict me, the proof of which was that two of the justices who tried me were promoted to the Supreme Court immediately after the verdict against me.”

Estrada said he must give credit where it is due and applauds President Aquino.

“His father fought for our freedom, his mother fought for our democracy, and now he has fought for justice for the Filipino people,” he said.

Estrada said President Corazon Aquino apologized to him in public and acknowledged that his ouster was a mistake.

“But P-Noy continued the fight of his mother against corruption when he took this a step further and put GMA behind bars,” he said.

“Even if he was criticized, he fought for justice for the Filipino people.”

Estrada said Archbishop Antonio Tobias of Navotas also apologized to him on behalf of the Catholic Church.

“I hope that you will someday find it in your heart to forgive the Catholic Church for what it has done to you,” he quoted Tobias as saying.

Estrada said former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay, a witness against him in his impeachment trial, publicly apologized to him at a religious gathering in Davao in 2010.

Yasay said he was used by those who were conspiring to oust Estrada, he added.

Estrada said he is seeking to be mayor of Manila as his mission is not yet complete.

“I believe that the Lord granted me my freedom because I still have a purpose to fulfill,” he said.

“As long as I can, I will continue in my mission to help uplift the lives of the Filipino people, especially the masses.