Erap, GMA, Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines - Former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo led the pack of candidates sprinting to victory as partial, official results of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) became available last night. Estrada was expected to be proclaimed Manila mayor, besting incumbent Alfredo Lim by about 30,000 votes.

 As of 9:30 p.m., Arroyo was way ahead with 97,461 votes against her Liberal Party rival Vivian Dabu’s 10,503 in the race for a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district.

Boxing idol Manny Pacquiao, who ran unopposed as congressional bet in Sarangani, garnered 53,458 votes. His wife Jinkee was leading with 47,636 votes in the race for vice governor.

Former first lady Imelda Marcos trounced her two independent rivals for a congressional seat in Ilocos Norte’s second district while her daughter Imee ran unopposed as governor.

In Pangasinan, Gov. Amado Espino of the Nationalist People’s Coalition was leading in his re-election bid.