MANILA - DISGRACED Philippine president Joseph Estrada on Thursday said he would stage a comeback, but only on the silver screen where he plans to star in a comedy.

'I will return, yes, but in the movies only,' the movie star-turned-politician, now 70, told reporters.

Mr Estrada laid out his plans just over two months after he was released from detention for corruption after being granted a presidential pardon.

'I was in jail for six years, I don't have money anymore,' the former movie action star president and self-confessed womaniser said.

'People are already suffering and crying, we don't need to make them cry some more in a dramatic movie,' he said, explaining his choice of a comedy for his comeback.

The film title was being kept under wraps, and he said his fee was also 'negotiable.'

Mr Estrada, who made his name in more than 100 movies over three decades, cultivated an image of the everyday man who was a champion of the poor and remains hugely popular.

In 1998 he won the presidency by the biggest margin in Philippine history.

Allegations of incompetence and massive corruption however led to his impeachment 30 months into office, and subsequently to his ouster in a military-backed bloodless popular revolt.

In April 2000 he became the first president to be booked and detained like a common criminal.

His six-year trial ended in September last year, when he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

But two months later, his successor and arch enemy, incumbent President Gloria Arroyo pardoned him.

Mr Estrada, still the de facto political opposition head, remains hugely popular with the masses while Mrs Arroyo has seen her popularity dwindle.

Mr Estrada aides have been floating the idea of a possible presidential run in 2010 in the absence of a unifying figure among opposition candidates.

Asked to confirm the report on Thursday, Mr Estrada played coy, saying: 'That is just speculation right now, but who knows?' -- AFP