Philippine Parliament to declare Aquino next President

PHILLIPPINES: Senator Benigno Aquino was to be officially declared the winner of last month's Presidential election in the Philippines, with Parliament preparing to count the final batch of votes yesterdady.

A joint sitting of parliament was due to finish counting 356,600 ballots from one southern province on Tuesday afternoon, almost a month after the May 10 elections, officials said.

But the result of the presidential ballot is already beyond doubt with Aquino enjoying a lead of more than 5.5 million votes over his nearest rival, ex-president Joseph Estrada.

Aquino is set to be proclaimed the winner well ahead of June 30. Manila, Tuesday, AFP