It just doesn't change. We have no choice. We have to make it work. Vote counting on the precinct and provincial levels, the stages before the national count, took longer than expected and continued to be marred by protests, violence, charges and counter-charges of fraud and cheating. Both the party of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the coalition of parties supported by her predecessor, Joseph Estrada are claiming victory.
Violence continues, especially in the southern Philippines.
Although neither Estrada nor Arroyo ran for office, they have a lot at stake. For Arroyo, these elections can either boost or erode confidence in her government. The vote count, which began when polls closed Monday afternoon, has seesawed. Unofficial counts show Arroyo's candidates winning by a slim margin in the crucial race for the Senate. Early vote counting shows Arroyo's supporters hold a slim lead over backers of former President Joseph Estrada Surprisingly, Estrada's candidates have done better than expected in the capital.