Estrada invited as guest speaker in Iloilo grad rites

MANILA, Philippines - A university in Iloilo province found itself at the center of a controversy after inviting former president Joseph Estrada as the guest speaker of its graduation rites this Friday. Radio dzBB reported Thursday that the University of Iloilo's decision to invite Estrada has split members of this year's graduating batch. The report said those against Estrada's stint questioned the school administration's decision, saying Estrada had been convicted for plunder. Estrada was ousted in 2001 over corruption charges, and sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted by a graft court for plunder in September 2007. However, he regained his freedom a month later, when President Arroyo granted him full pardon, an act her critics claimed was politically motivated. Since being pardoned, Estrada has gone around several areas of the country to "thank" his supporters. He has also entertained thoughts of running in the 2010 presidential race if the opposition cannot field a single candidate by then. - GMANews.TV