SC upholds Erap's eligibility to run for Manila mayor

(Updated 2:31 p.m.) The Supreme Court has affirmed an earlier ruling that former President Joseph Estrada was eligible when he ran for Manila mayor in 2013.

SC Public Information Office chief Theodore Te said in a briefing Tuesday that the SC, sitting en banc, denied a motion for reconsideration filed by former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim that sought to reverse the high court's original ruling.

"The Court denied the motion for reconsideration filed by intervenor, former Mayor Alfredo Lim, on the ground that no substantial argument was raised to merit a reconsideration," said Te.

In its original ruling, the SC voted 11-3 to junk the petition filed by Lim's counsel Alicia Vida. Lim was Estrada's strongest rival in the 2013 mayoral race in Manila.

In its ruling, the high tribunal took into consideration the pardon given to Estrada in 2007 by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in coming up with their decision.

Estrada was convicted of plunder in 2007.

The SC said the acceptance of Estrada of the absolute pardon removed the disqualifications arising under Section 40 of the Local Government Code in relation to Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code.

In her petition, Vidal stressed that Estrada's conviction for plunder and his being sentenced to life imprisonment had rendered him disqualified to run for public office.

She also said the executive pardon granted to him by Arroyo specifically did not restore his right to run for public office.
She said in the pardon given to Estrada, there was a statement in the "whereas clause" that stated: “Whereas, Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office."

But in his memorandum, Estrada maintained that this statement would "not suffice to qualify, restrict or limit the pardon granted to Estrada."

Estrada stressed that when Arroyo pardoned him, his civil and political rights were restored without any restriction or limit.

Prior to winning the 2013 mayoralty elections in Manila, Estrada sought the presidency in the 2010 national elections won by then-Senator Benigno Aquino III. Estrada placed second in that elections.  —KBK, GMA News