CARDINAL Ricardo Vidal, archbishop of Cebu, yesterday advised former President Joseph Estrada to stick to his earlier promise not to run again for public office.

"Kung ano na ang sinabi niya at kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit nagbago na siya, ewan ko. Pero dapat mag-stick siya sa promise nya," Vidal told Radio Veritas.

Late last year, Vidal said Estrada gave him his word that he would not seek public office if granted clemency by President Arroyo.

Arroyo granted clemency to Estrada last October.

One of the conditions included in the release papers signed by Estrada was that he would no longer seek another public post.

Vidal said he was surprised by Estrada's statements last week where he said he has commissioned a group to look into the legality of him running for office.

Estrada said the results revealed he can still run for presidency but he has refused comment on his plans for 2010. - Gerard Naval