Joseph Estrada, former president of the Philippines, was pardoned this Thursday by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Chief presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye quoted President Arroyo’s decision on television and said that she cited her government’s policy regarding releasing convicts who have reached age 70.

Estrada was found guilty in September after a six-year trial. He was charged with plunder and sentenced to jail for life. He received money from illegal gambling and commissions from the sale of shares to government pension funds when he was still the president of the Philippines.

He has been allowed by the anti-graft Sandiganbayan court to house arrest in his villa near Manilla.

Ignacio Bunye also said that other factors weighed in favor of his release. The fact that Estrada was in custody for more than six years and his promise not to seek public office helped too. The wealth that he gained through illicit ways will be retained from him.

Renato Bocar, a Sandiganbayan court spokesman, said that Estrada will be released after they receive a copy of the president’s grant of pardon.

Arroyo became president in 2001 after Estrada was ousted by a revolt co-led by her, at the time vice-president. The revolt started on the assertions of corruption and misrule. Estrada denied the charges and accused her of conspiracy along with leaders of the Roman Catholic Church and military officers.

Estrada remains popular among poor Filipinos because of his numerous B-rated movies, where he portrayed roles of a champion of the poor.

The officials said that Friday morning he will be freed.

Estrada's son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, said on television: “I would like to thank this administration, specifically President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, for granting this pardon. This is coming from my heart.”

He pushed aside the suggestions that the pardon will make the opposition to slow down the search for the accusations of graft in Arroyo’s administration.