MANILA: Philippine President Benigno Aquino was set on Tuesday to win unprecedented control of the two chambers of Congress after mid-term elections, raising hopes for his reforms to sustain growth, create jobs and make a dent on chronic poverty.
But the political comeback of disgraced former President Joseph Estrada, the leader of the opposition who won as mayor of the capital Manila, could spoil Aquino's reform momentum beyond his term, which ends in 2016.
Initial results from Monday's election show Estrada and his ally, Vice President Jejomar Binay, remain a formidable force in Philippine politics and could stop Aquino's chosen successor from winning the next presidential elections in 2016. Binay is expected to mount a strong presidential challenge.
With about 75 percent of unofficial vote tallies, Aquino's allies are poised to gain control of the Senate, with his coalition winning nine of a dozen seats up for grabs.
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