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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned former president Joseph Estrada last night, setting aside his conviction and life sentence on charges of plunder.
"I hereby grant executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito," chief presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye said on television, quoting Arroyo's order. "He is hereby restored to his civil and political rights."
The 70-year-old Estrada has been under house arrest since he was ousted as president in 2001 and replaced by Arroyo. He was sentenced to life in prison in last month.
