The vibrancy of the current political exercise for the May 10, 2010 presidential elections is a healthy indication veering towards the return of democracy that can place the country “on the right side of history,” former President Joseph Estrada said last Wednesday night.

Estrada made the statement as candidates vying for a range of elective positions are moving to beat the Nov. 30 deadline set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to file their certificates of registration.

“The prevailing political air showing no signs of government intervention yet, is a strong sign to the international community that the country is on the brink towards the return of citizen sovereignty in the Philippines,” Estrada said.

The popular opposition leader pointed to the EDSA II funding by big business leaders whose vested interests were repulsed by his pro-poor platform, joined by some government officials and a Catholic church Cardinal that saw the dismantling of the Rule of Law.

“With that, the sovereignty of more than 10 million Filipinos was stolen,” Estrada recalled.

He stressedd that should the prevailing democratic trend continue, the results in next year’s elections would put to rest lingering public fear over any incidence that would again engender future power grabs, resulting in the stealing of popular votes from those genuinely elected to lead the nation for a term mandated by the Constitution.