I was slightly disturbed by news that Joseph Estrada believes he is still eligible to run and indeed will run in the next presidential elections. Before this, I just laugh at the notion that Erap may still run or the question of can he still run because for me the answer is as simple and as clear as the text of 1987 Philippine Constitution say - No, he is not eligible to run for ANY re-election.
Section 4 of the Article VII of the Constitution clearly states " The President shall not be eligible for ANY re-election. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time."
The crucial phrase there is "for ANY re-election". This clearly means any form of re-election may it be immediately succeeding or after sitting a term or so.
Estrada's lawyers and Pro-Erap supporters argue that "THE President" in the text means the incumbent president. For them, the real purpose of the provision is to bar re-election by an incumbent that may use government funds and influence.
However, this is only laughable. If that was the only intention, I believe, the framers would have just been clear and plain and stated it as "an incumbent President" which is clearly not the intention but to bar ANY re-election of elected presidents.
Further, the last sentence of the paragraph pertains to a person who succeeded presidency through other means other than election such as a vice-president's succession as president due to the elected president's incapacity or death.
And lastly, Joseph Estrada is a convicted plunderer. I pray that the Filipino people do not forget this fact. Electing him again or letting him be elected or even run for presidency will be unforgivable.
A friend told me over text that if the Supreme Court (if ever to decide on the issue) rules that he is eligible to run and/or the Filipino people elects Estrada again to presidency, he would consider migrating to another country because it would just goes to show that our country is beyond repair. I said I can't blame him but also told him that I still have faith that the Filipino people will not let that happen. I just hope my faith does not fail me.
