Estrada was convicted of corruption just six weeks ago
Ex-Philippine President Joseph Estrada is a free man for the first time in six and a half years, after being pardoned by his successor Gloria Arroyo.
Estrada was convicted of corruption last month, and given a life sentence.
But on Thursday he was officially pardoned by President Arroyo, leading a court to order his release.
Mrs Arroyo said she had issued the pardon to end political divisions, but correspondents say her move was at least partly self-motivated.
She needs to gain public support amid mounting calls for her resignation, and in pardoning her predecessor, she managed to extract a guarantee that he would not seek office again himself.
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