Estrada asks Manila court permission to campaign

MANILA, Feb 16 (Reuters) Lawyers of deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada asked the anti-graft court today to allow him to campaign for opposition candidates in the May congressional elections.

The former film star, who was overthrown in a popular revolt in 2001, has been under house arrest at his country villa east of the capital while awaiting the verdict on plunder charges, an offence that carries a life term in jail.

''He should have a sporting chance to argue on the choice of choosing between one who supposedly stole money and another who supposedly stole an election among other issues,'' said Rene Saguisag, Estrada's lawyer, in a motion to the anti-graft court.

The reference was to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who took over from Estrada and then won an election in 2004 that opponents claimed was rigged.

Still popular among poor voters who swept him to power in 1998, Estrada is barred from receiving any visitors, particularly politicians seeking an endorsement from him.

Last week, Senator Manuel Villar, head of the 24-seat upper house of Congress, and his wife were turned away by armed police officers guarding the former leader's villa in Tanay town.

Estrada was also prohibited from granting media interviews, a move many political analysts believed was an effort to prevent Arroyo's political foes from increasing their electoral chances.

''Estrada continues to provide the critical mass for the opposition forces,'' Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms, told Reuters.

''His political influence remains very strong in certain sectors of society and in wide areas across the country. He can still pull about 25 percent of the votes.'' The elections are important for Arroyo, Casiple said, adding that if the opposition wins one-third of the seats in the lower house of Congress she could be impeached when the legislature convenes in July.

REUTERS PB VC1320