Estrada congratulates Arroyo on poll results
Estrada congratulates Arroyo on poll results
MANILA (Reuters): Ousted Philippine leader Joseph Estrada congratulated President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Saturday after her coalition party's apparent victory in the senatorial race, the presidential spokesman said.
Arroyo, who visited Estrada in a military hospital, in turn congratulated Estrada for the "seeming victory" of his wife Luisa, nicknamed "Loi", in the senatorial contests.
"Former president Estrada congratulated her for the majority victory of the PPC (People Power Coalition) and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo congratulated Estrada for the seeming victory of Loi Estrada," spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao told a news conference after the visit.
Earlier, a private poll said that with votes from more than half of the over 200,000 precincts nationwide tabulated in an unofficial count, Arroyo's coalition was leading in eight of 13 senatorial contests while Estrada's Power of the Masses party was ahead in four.
Among the four leading opposition candidates in the vote count by the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) was Estrada's wife Luisa.
An independent was expected to win the 13th slot. The latest positions were based on a count made by NAMFREL as of 0309 GMT. It said it had so far tabulated returns from 54.65 percent of total precincts.
The elections are seen as a test of popular support for Arroyo, who was catapulted to the presidency by a military-backed popular uprising in January which ended Estrada's 31-month rule. Arroyo's coalition needs to win nine of the contested seats to gain a solid majority in the 24-seat Senate.
Cordial visit
"The unscheduled presidential visit... is part of her administration's reconciliation efforts and healing process now the May 14 polls are over," the presidential palace said in a statement.
Another source, who was present at the visit but who requested anonymity, told reporters: "They spent 20 minutes exchanging pleasantries. The atmosphere was cordial, relaxed and reconciliatory."
It was the second meeting of Arroyo and Estrada this month. On May 3, Arroyo visited Estrada in his maximum detention cell south of Manila.
The disgraced leader, detained since April 25, is undergoing medical tests at the Veterans Memorial Medical Centre in Quezon City while awaiting trial on a charge of economic plunder, which is punishable by life in jail or death.
The former leader, who has denied wrongdoing, was brought to the hospital on May 12 after he complained of stomach pains.
"We have no problem with each other. I have no animosity towards you," Tiglao quoted Arroyo as telling Estrada.
Tiglao said Arroyo was elated after Estrada called her "Mrs President," and for offering to support her administration.
Tiglao said Arroyo visited Estrada after learning on Friday night that Estrada had "bouts of depression" because he did not want to return to his maximum detention cell in Santa Rosa, Laguna near Manila.
During the visit, Estrada asked Arroyo to transfer him from police custody to house arrest, Tiglao said.
He said Arroyo told Estrada that the decision was up to the anti-graft court.
"The President personally has no objection (to the house arrest), but the PNP (Philippine National Police) might bring it up for security reasons," Tiglao said.