Give it a rest, lawyers tell Estrada

Deposed President Joseph Estrada’s counsels de officio shot down yesterday his dream of returning to Malacañang when they advised him to stop issuing statements about his plan to run in the presidential elections next year.

In an interview, lawyer Prospero Crescini said that any statement about Estrada’s plan to run in 2004 would contradict his earlier claim that he is still the President on leave.

"He maintained that he is still the legitimate president of the land. If he (runs) without being acquitted first, it would be an admission that he was legally ousted from the presidency," Crescini said.

He added that unless Estrada is acquitted before the elections next year, he should stop issuing any statement about his plan to run for re-election.

"But if he is acquitted, we will insist that he restore his position by seeking re-election. He was incarcerated in 2001 and he was kicked out from office in the same year," Crescini said.

Crescini noted that since the term of office of the presidency which Estrada wants to restore will end in June next year, the only way for Estrada to restore his position is to seek re-election.