MANILA (UPDATE) – With his victory in the mayoral race nearly in the bag, former President Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada said he feels vindicated.

Estrada said his return to public office shows that the public still trusts him after he was ousted from the presidency in 2001, triggered by allegations of corruption.

“It’s my consolation, that people still have trust in me despite all the black propaganda thrown at me during the time that I was impeached. The people know that I am innocent because of the fact that we are celebrating EDSA 1 every year, but EDSA Dos was never celebrated,” he said early Wednesday.

Estrada is leading the race with 288,058 votes compared to Lim’s 257,631 votes, as of 4:43 a.m, with at least 96% of the votes canvassed.

Estrada arrived at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium past midnight to await his proclamation, but the board of canvassers decided to wait for the remaining 4% votes to be canvassed before making the proclamation.

Estrada and Lim have figured in a heated word war since the start of the campaign, but Estrada said he harbors no ill feelings against Lim.

“I’m a very forgiving man. I forgave all those who connived to remove me illegally. I’ve forgiven all of them, and I hope they don’t do it again,” he said.

Estrada said he believes that residents of Manila wanted change in the country’s capital, which he said is in “bad shape.”

“The situation in Manila, it’s in bad shape financially, according to the report of the Commission on Audit, it’s a well-known fact that Manila has been overtaken by the neighboring towns and cities,” Estrada said.

He claimed that studies show Manila has the highest level of poverty incidence and unemployment.

Estrada said he will focus on programs on peace and order when he takes office as Manila mayor.

“If there is no peace and order, there can never be economic growth, that’s my experience [as mayor] in San Juan in 17 years. Even as President, that was my priority,” he said.