Estrada and his wife the day they left the presidential palace

MANILA, Philippines -- The wife of deposed Philippine President Joseph Estrada will run in this year's elections scheduled for May.

A certificate of candidacy was filed on behalf of former first lady Luisa Ejercito Estrada by one of her sons.

She will run as a standard bearer for the LDP, one of the parties that belongs to Estrada's political coalition.

The party is also fielding other Estrada allies, including former Defense Minister Orlando Mercado and former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara.

Thirteen seats are available in the upcoming elections, which take place on May 12.

"She wants vindication"

On announcing the first lady's candidacy, Estrada's son Joseph Victor Ejercito said she was looking to achieve two aims.

"She wants to continue to serve the people, and also seek vindication for the family," Ejercito said.

Estrada left office in disgrace on January 20, on the heels of mass demonstrations triggered by a popular belief that he had sifted funds while in office.

The former movie actor now faces investigation by the Ombudsman for charges ranging from graft to economic plunder. The latter charge carries the death penalty.

Estrada seeking surgery abroad

The Justice Department put Estrada's home under armed guard on Monday to block any attempt by the former president to leave the country.

Estrada's family said last weekend that the former president wanted to go to the United States for long-scheduled medical treatment.

Justice Secretary Hernando Perez has said Estrada would not be allowed to leave, and that the decision was final.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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