BY ASHZEL HACHERO

THE "Erap 2010" movement was launched yesterday at the Club Filipino in San Juan to convince Joseph Estrada to seek the presidency in 2010.

Vince Avena, president of the movement, said they plan to gather 1.43 million signatures signifying 1-4-3 which means "I love you."

But political personalities and opposition figures were not present in the launch.

Estrada, who will be celebrating his 71st birthday today, was in Manila where a Mass was held in his honor by residents of Tondo.

Later in the day, he distributed rice to indigent families in Tondo before proceeding to the Damas Filipinas in Paco for a pre-birthday bash with around a hundred orphans.

A fire destroyed the Damas orphanage in 1998. Estrada single-handedly raised funds for its reconstruction.

The Partido ng Masang Pilipino during a caucus Thursday presented some 80,000 signatures as a birthday gift to Estrada.

However, Estrada has said he has no plans of running for president in 2010.

"My only wish is for the opposition to unite because I have no intention of running. Unity is necessary to ensure the administration’s defeat," he said.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye wished Estrada long life and good memory so "he could remember the conditions of his pardon."

Bunye, who shares the same birthday as Estrada, signed the proclamation pardon last year in his capacity as acting executive secretary.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno wished Estrada "peace of mind" and enlightenment.