Re-elected Sen. Gregorio Honasan, on the other hand, was seen apparently trying to avoid running into the President at least three times on the stage of the Westin Philippine Plaza hotel where the 13 winning senators were finally proclaimed yesterday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Both the administration and the opposition have been making noises about the need for reconciliation after the elections, and optimists saw tentative steps in this direction at the proclamation yesterday.
Honasan, who together with Lacson went into hiding in the final days of the campaign after they were accused of rebellion by the administration, finally shook the President’s hand after she stood beside him for a group photograph.
Apparently adhering to her promise of "reconciliation after victory," the President personally congratulated the four new opposition senators including balik-Senado Sen. Edgardo Angara, as well as independent candidate Noli de Castro who was adopted by the opposition Puwersa ng Masa.
Both the opposition winners and the administration People Power Coalition, however, vowed to pursue charges of poll fraud.
In an interview from detention, jailed former President Joseph Estrada reiterated his charge that the administration had cheated to keep more of his allies from getting elected to the Senate.
But the mood, at least during the proclamation yesterday, was conciliatory.
"We must move forward and allow the healing process to begin," said Honasan, who described his election despite the rebellion charges as "a moral victory of sorts."
Hours earlier, the President said she had not yet consulted with the new legislators but stressed "it’s important that the (congressional) leadership supports me."
The PPC is confident it will gain control of the leadership of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. President Arroyo said yesterday she was staying out of the leadership fight in both chambers.
The elections were seen as a proxy fight between the President and Estrada.
Ejercito, the first former Philippine first lady to win a Senate seat, said her victory showed that the masses still support her husband. While visibly elated over her victory, she said she was disappointed her husband could not be with her.
Her proclamation was witnessed by son Jude Estrada, daughter Jackie Ejercito-Lopez and son-in-law Beaver Lopez.
Ejercito told reporters she would get lawmaking advice from her husband who was a former senator, as well as losing opposition bets Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile.
At a press conference, Mrs. Arroyo refused to comment on Estrada’s petition with the Sandiganbayan to allow him to attend his wife’s oathtaking.
"I have been advised that even if it is the court’s prerogative and even with freedom of speech, I should not give my opinion," the President said.
Lacson, for his part, said his victory was a vindication in the face of all the "black propaganda" against him, but expressed willingness to reconcile with the Arroyo administration. – Pia Lee-Brago, Marichu Villanueva