MANILA, Oct 25: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo pardoned on Thursday her predecessor Joseph Estrada jailed for life on charges of stealing tens of millions of dollars from the nation’s coffers.

The announcement came just days after Estrada, a former action movie hero, asked his successor to grant him a pardon in what his lawyers called the ‘national interest’. Arroyo’s spokesman said the pardon was granted after the popular 70-year-old agreed not to pursue any other elective office. He said the pardon was granted under a policy of releasing prisoners who had reached 70 years of age.

But he did not mention the political pressure exerted by Estrada supporters for his release, after he was sentenced to life behind bars for massive corruption.

Estrada’s wife, Luisa Ejercito, told national TV he had phoned her after the pardon was announced and said: “I’ll be home for lunch (Friday).” She said preparations were now underway for a homecoming party.

Thousands of supporters are expected to turn out on the streets of suburban San Juan, Estrada’s home town, when he returns on Friday.

He is due to go to the San Juan city hall to thank supporters and will then visit his ailing 102-year-old mother in hospital.

Estrada, who had earlier insisted he had rejected a deal offered by Arroyo, was convicted by a special anti-corruption court on Sept 12, after a six-year trial that he repeatedly insisted was politically motivated.—AFP