MANILA, Philippines -- Former president Joseph Estrada showed that at the age of 72, he would still be fit for the presidency. He led a ceremonial run on the University of Makati’s new track oval on Sunday, before a cheering crowd of 1,000 students.

In a blue track suit with orange stripes and matching sneakers, the movie actor-turned-politician arrived promptly at 7 a.m. and jogged on the 1,500-meter oval.

The crowd screamed as he and his running mate in the May elections, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, carried torches while making their way to the finish line. With them were senatorial aspirant Joey de Venecia, the whistleblower on the scuttled National Broadband Network-ZTE deal, and 200 students.

He later told reporters that he had challenged Binay for another lap, but that the mayor declined. “No, it didn’t bother me a bit,” he said, saying he felt like the “Bionic man.”

“Age doesn’t matter and I always say I am the most experienced among the presidential candidates,” said Estrada, whose knees had been replaced.

“I’ve been a local executive for 17 years, I’ve been a senator for five years, I’ve been a vice president for six years and three and a half as President. So, more or less I know the overall problem of our country,” he said.

Estrada said he would file his certificate of candidacy before noon on Bonifacio Day, Nov. 30. He said the day would have significance, had a symbol for the masses.

“Andres Bonifacio is the hero of the masses,” he said.

He said he was prepared for challenges to his candidacy. “We have retired justices with us, deans of law schools, dean of UP, Ateneo, UE,” he beamed.

Critics said the convicted plunderer pardoned by President Macapagal-Arroyo could not run again, citing a constitutional ban on a president seeking reelection. However, Estrada said that the Constitution refers to a sitting president.

“People are asking why am I running again,” he said. “My term was unceremoniously disrupted and I was unconstitutionally removed so I was unable to implement my pro-poor programs.”

Estrada said he could not turn his back on the poor, even if this meant he had to go to jail. “I have to reciprocate what they've done for me,” he explained.

He said his party, Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Filipino masses), would come up with a complete senatorial slate, including his son, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Sen. Miriam Santiago, De Venecia and Agusan del Sur Rep. Ompong Plaza.

Talks are underway for the inclusion of the daughter of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., Grace, and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, detained on rebellion charges.

Estrada also revealed that he has opened the door for former Sen. Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III, who last week left the Liberal Party of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, expressing disappointment at the “infighting” among various factions in the campaign.

“I admire Senator Osmeña. He’s a man of principle, his integrity unquestionable,” he said. “We love to have him in our ticket.”

“We have not asked him yet but with open arms we will accept him to have his name as our guest candidate for senator,” he said.

But in a strange twist, Estrada declared that the party could also include as a “guest candidate” administration Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. in its senatorial lineup.