Former President Joseph Estrada appears to be presiding over a meeting in Malacañang in his first return to the Palace last Tuesday to attend the National Security Council meeting upon the invitation of President Arroyo. (Photo by RICHARD VIÑAS)

Fate may have sent him to jail instead of finishing his term as President of the Republic nine years ago, but destiny will also bring former President Joseph Estrada back to power by June this year.

This was how sure Estrada is about his chances in the May presidential elections when he returned to Malacañang Palace last Tuesday – the first time since he was ousted in a military-backed civilian revolt in January, 2001 – for a high-level security meeting called by his successor, President Arroyo.

The former leader is again a presidential candidate in the upcoming elections despite a constitutional ban on presidents seeking reelection. Petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court questioning the legality of his candidacy.

Estrada joined President Arroyo and other senior officials in the National Security Council meeting and actively participated in discussions to ensure clean and credible elections this May. Former President Fidel Ramos skipped the security assembly, the first NSC meeting convened by the President in five years, despite an invitation from the Palace.

Estrada, speaking to reporters before entering the meeting hall, said he was eager to help in the government’s efforts to ensure peaceful polls, even suggesting the dismantling of private armies through stronger police and military intelligence work rather than through a commission.

“Not so," Estrada told reporters when asked whether he was excited to return to the Palace after nine years. "I would say that I am glad I was invited to give few of my advice to help solve some of our pressing problems especially regarding peace and order."

Asked if he hopes to return to Malacañang as a reelected President in six months, Estrada chuckled and said: “That’s destiny.”

Estrada, a popular leader despite his ouster and conviction for plunder, made a minor mistake about the anniversary of his sudden departure from Malacanang.

“After nine years eksakto, January 21st 2001, that’s exactly nine years," he said about his return to the Palace last Tuesday in his familiar low voice.

Estrada actually stepped down on January 20, 2001 following the second Edsa People Power. In 2007, Estrada was convicted of plunder but was subsequently pardoned by President Arroyo.

The former leader, wearing a Barong Tagalog, arrived in the Palace a few minutes before the 10 a.m. meeting at the Heroes Hall. Journalists were barred from covering the event although cameramen and photographers were allowed during the opening of the meeting.

Prior to Mrs. Arroyo’s arrival, Estrada shook hands with cabinet members and casually talked with some of them. Escorted by Trade Secretary Peter Favila, he later also shook hands with the President and sat beside her throughout the hour-long security meeting.

Estrada said he was pushing for peaceful and free automated elections this May, adding there should be no failure of elections “because people are excited for the election.”

“Having peaceful, orderly, clean and credible elections this coming May will be the first step towards the national unity that both our leaders and our people seek,” he said in a statement issued later.

Estrada also raised objections to the formation of a commission to investigate and dismantle private armies ahead of the elections. Instead, he called on the military and police to beef up intelligence gathering and come up with an order of battle against private armies.

Mayors and governors should be held responsible for the existence of private armies in their areas, according to Estrada.

“There is no need to form another commission or presidential task force to dismantle political warlords. Instead, the President must order the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Interior and Local Government to immediately dismantle private armies through the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, using existing laws, rules and regulations which are sufficient enough,” he said.

But with such commission already created, Estrada said law enforcement authorities should no longer wait for its recommendations and should instead report directly to the President “for a swifter resolution of this case.”

On the issue of extrajudicial killings, particularly against journalists, Estrada asked Malacañang to resolve them before the May elections.

“I also want to ensure that measures are undertaken so that journalists who will cover the May elections will be safe this time around,” he added.