Estrada congratulates Arroyo on poll results<\/p>\n
MANILA (Reuters): Ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada
\ncongratulated President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday after
\nher coalition party's apparent victory in the senatorial race,
\nthe presidential spokesman said.<\/p>\n
Arroyo, who visited Estrada in a military hospital, in turn
\ncongratulated Estrada for the \"seeming victory\" of his wife
\nLuisa, nicknamed \"Loi\", in the senatorial contests.<\/p>\n
\"Former president Estrada congratulated her for the majority
\nvictory of the PPC (People Power Coalition) and President Gloria
\nMacapagal Arroyo congratulated Estrada for the seeming victory of
\nLoi Estrada,\" spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told a news conference
\nafter the visit.<\/p>\n
Earlier, a private poll said that with votes from more than
\nhalf of the over 200,000 precincts nationwide tabulated in an
\nunofficial count, Arroyo's coalition was leading in eight of 13
\nsenatorial contests while Estrada's Power of the Masses party was
\nahead in four.<\/p>\n
Among the four leading opposition candidates in the vote count
\nby the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) was
\nEstrada's wife Luisa.<\/p>\n
An independent was expected to win the 13th slot.
\nThe latest positions were based on a count made by NAMFREL as of
\n0309 GMT. It said it had so far tabulated returns from 54.65
\npercent of total precincts.<\/p>\n
The elections are seen as a test of popular support for
\nArroyo, who was catapulted to the presidency by a military-backed
\npopular uprising in January which ended Estrada's 31-month rule.
\nArroyo's coalition needs to win nine of the contested seats to
\ngain a solid majority in the 24-seat Senate.<\/p>\n
Cordial visit<\/p>\n
\"The unscheduled presidential visit... is part of her
\nadministration's reconciliation efforts and healing process now
\nthe May 14 polls are over,\" the presidential palace said in a
\nstatement.<\/p>\n
Another source, who was present at the visit but who requested
\nanonymity, told reporters: \"They spent 20 minutes exchanging
\npleasantries. The atmosphere was cordial, relaxed and
\nreconciliatory.\"<\/p>\n
It was the second meeting of Arroyo and Estrada this month. On
\nMay 3, Arroyo visited Estrada in his maximum detention cell south
\nof Manila.<\/p>\n
The disgraced leader, detained since April 25, is undergoing
\nmedical tests at the Veterans Memorial Medical Centre in Quezon
\nCity while awaiting trial on a charge of economic plunder, which
\nis punishable by life in jail or death.<\/p>\n
The former leader, who has denied wrongdoing, was brought to
\nthe hospital on May 12 after he complained of stomach pains.<\/p>\n
\"We have no problem with each other. I have no animosity
\ntowards you,\" Tiglao quoted Arroyo as telling Estrada.<\/p>\n
Tiglao said Arroyo was elated after Estrada called her \"Mrs
\nPresident,\" and for offering to support her administration.<\/p>\n
Tiglao said Arroyo visited Estrada after learning on Friday
\nnight that Estrada had \"bouts of depression\" because he did not
\nwant to return to his maximum detention cell in Santa Rosa,
\nLaguna near Manila.<\/p>\n
During the visit, Estrada asked Arroyo to transfer him from
\npolice custody to house arrest, Tiglao said.<\/p>\n
He said Arroyo told Estrada that the decision was up to the
\nanti-graft court.<\/p>\n
\"The President personally has no objection (to the house
\narrest), but the PNP (Philippine National Police) might bring it
\nup for security reasons,\" Tiglao said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/estrada-congratulates-arroyo-on-poll-results-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}