NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      MANILA (CWNews.com) - A joint session of the Philippine Congress on Friday named former film star Joseph Estrada as the winner of presidential elections on May 11.

      Estrada's candidacy had been opposed by senior Church officials, including Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila, who cited widely circulated stories of the actor's habit of keeping many different female companions and public drinking. Estrada tried to leave the campaign conflicts behind as he accepted the results. "It will be a tough, long six years. I need every support and help I can get ... Of course I am very proud ... but I can foresee the problems I'll be facing as president of this country," he said. He takes office on June 30.

      Estrada has named most of his cabinet and laid out his program for the next six years, which includes continuing President Fidel Ramos' economic reforms, focusing on agriculture and ending rampant crime and violence.