Estrada eyeing talk-show job

Estrada faces corruption charges, but wants to go on air

He may have been ousted out by public protests, but former Philippine President Joseph Estrada is determined not to leave the public arena.

If a high government official is found guilty of wrongdoing and he gets a pardon instead of serving the sentence, what kind of example are we setting?

Justice Secretary

His latest plan is to become a radio talk show host to fight the "black propaganda" against him - that is when he is not supporting his wife's campaign to be elected to the Senate.

His announcement comes as the new government said it would pardon Mr Estrada, who has asked the Supreme Court to recognise him as the legitimate president and grant him immunity for impending corruption lawsuits.

A popular uprising toppled Mr Estrada

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez said: "If a high government official is found guilty of wrongdoing and he gets a pardon instead of serving the sentence, what kind of example are we setting? It would encourage future presidents to steal."

Government lawyers were due to file charges against Mr Estrada next week but the Supreme Court recently gave him a reprieve, blocking the move for 30 days while it evaluated his plea.

Among the charges brought against Mr Estrada by the Philippine ombudsman are corruption, bribery and economic plunder - a crime punishable with the death sentence.

He allegedly has an unexplained fortune worth up to $400m, reportedly stashed away in secret bank accounts and mansions built for his mistresses.

Talk shows

Mr Estrada told radio station DZEC, which helped him win the 1998 presidential election, that he was considering appearing on the station "once or twice a week" and would field questions from callers.

Joseph Estrada never issued a resignation letter

"Local papers are not to my taste," the 63-year-old former movie star said, adding they had "all plotted to bring me down."

"If the news is favourable to me they will suppress it. They just want to... do me harm."

In the early part of his presidency, he hosted weekly talk shows broadcast live on radio and television, but his official spokesman put an end to that after some comments got Mr Estrada into trouble.

Wife's campaign

Mr Estrada also said he would probably join his wife Luisa Ejercito in campaigning in the southern region of Mindanao.

Mrs Estrada says she wants to redeem her husband's name

"It would give me an opportunity to speak up before our people," he said.

Many analysts say she will benefit in the polls from her image as a martyred wife who stood by her husband while he openly admitted to having a string of mistresses.

But Mrs Estrada is also could be charged for perjury for not listing her wealth.

Government ombudsman Aniano Desierto said on Thursday that she withdrew $2.3m from a Citibank account on 1 February, shortly before the family's accounts were frozen by the state.