MANILA, Philippines — Former president and Manila mayor Joseph Estrada wants to regain power in 2022.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada confirmed that he will run again for mayor of Manila in the 2022 elections.

“I was hocused-PCOS. I lead all the surveys, but I was defeated by the machines,” Estrada said, referring to the precinct count optical scanners used to read ballots.

Late last month, Estrada declared he was signing off on 50 years of public service during his farewell party with relatives, friends and former Cabinet members.

He said he will run again for mayor because he “does not like the way” his succesor, Mayor Isko Moreno, handled the vendors in clearing the city’s streets.

“He should not have rushed in removing the vendors. He should have given them time to look for an alternative place where they can sell their products. Many poor people lost their incomes and they, along with their families, are going hungry,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he cannot take the vendors’ plight sitting down.

“I owe everything to them (poor). Erap will not be in his place right now had it not been for the poor. I cannot repay the poor in life or in death. As the Lord said what you do to the least of my brethren, you also do it unto me,” Estrada said.