English/Nat Vice President Joseph Estrada, the main opposition candidate, maintained his strong lead on Friday in the Philippines presidential vote count. A poll watchdog group said with about 45 per cent of the ballots counted in the 10-candidate race, Estrada had an imposing lead with 34 per cent of the vote. President Fidel Ramos's preferred candidate, House Speaker Jose de Venecia, was far behind on second place, with around 14 per cent. Most Filipinos are now convinced that Estrada will be taking over from Ramos come June 30, and Estrada himself has been making plans for his presidential programme. There is little doubt that Joseph Estrada has the charisma to enthuse the Filipino people. Everywhere he goes, the former movie star is greeted by loud cheers and applause. Estrada is one of ten candidates who had hoped to take over from President Fidel Ramos when he steps down on June 30. And if the present trend continues, Estrada will emerge as the victor. With about 45 per cent of the votes casted on May 11 now counted, a poll watchdog group said that Estrada had about 36 per cent of the vote, leaving Jose de Venecia in second place with only 14 per cent. For this, Estrada says, he has the people to thank for. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The "E-R-A-P" victory is the victory of the masses, because most of those who voted for me...majority of them come from the Filipino masses." SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Presidential candidate And the masses will be his main concern if he assumes the presidency. In an interview with Associated Press Television, Estrada spoke about his plans to make life better for the Filipino people. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I have three top priorities: first is the food security of our people, so I will give more emphasis on our agriculture. Second priority is to eradicate graft and corruption in government because graft and corruption is so rampant now in this government. It ranges from billions of pesos that are being lost in the government coffers. It's becoming a way of life among government employees. And third is the restoration of peace and order in this country, and I vow that within six months of my presidency, I will take full responsibility over restoring peace and order in this country." SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Presidential Candidate Even as counting is still far from over, Estrada finds himself answering questions about the policies of his impending presidency. One of the main concerns is how he will deal with the alleged ill-gotten wealth of ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Estrada, known to be a former Marcos supporter, said he will not lift a finger to help the Marcos family but he says he would immediately shut the Presidential Commission on Good Government. The commission has been attempting for 12 years, with limited success, to recover billions of dollars allegedly stolen by Marcos during his 20-year presidency. He said he would transfer its powers to the justice department and give them only one year to solve everything. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think it has outlived its usefulness. It has been there for more than twelve years and it has not solved the problem of this sequestration. And is now becoming the dumping ground of political proteges. SUPER CAPTION: Joseph Estrada, Presidential candidate Estrada is also considering laying another ghost of the Marcos era to rest, namely the issue of the late dictator's body. Marcos' remains lie in a refrigerated crypt in his hometown in the northern Philippines. His family has been asking the government to allow his burial in Manila, but the government of Fidel Ramos has refused, citing concerns on national security. SOUNDBITE: (English) You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7f56dec01cc80101c309545ba4c182a7 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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