WELL WISHES. Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada addresses a crowd in this undated photo. Malacañang on Tuesday (March 30, 2021) extended its "get well" wishes to Estrada after he tested positive for Covid-19. (File photo)
MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday extended well wishes to former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada after he tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed hope that Estrada would immediately recover from the virus.
“We wish former President Erap Estrada to please get well soon. Alamat po kayo dito sa Pilipinas (You are a legend in the Philippines),” he said in a Palace press briefing.
He said he was looking forward to see Estrada back in public life when he gets better.
“We want to see you healthy and we want you to take part in the public life of the country for a very long period of time,” he added.
On Monday, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada announced that his father had contracted Covid-19.
The younger Estrada said his father was rushed to the hospital March 28 due to body weakness. He is now in stable condition.
According to Estrada’s other son, former Senator JV Ejercito, there was no space available at the time, so his father was forced to spend the night in the emergency room.
“Please pray for my father who has tested positive for Covid-19 and was rushed to the hospital. Please pray for all those who are likewise fighting this virus,” Ejercito said.
Estrada’s other son celebrity, Jake Ejercito, also announced the news over Twitter and sought prayers for their father.
“Our dad, former president Joseph Estrada, tested positive for Covid-19. He’s now confined in a hospital and is in stable condition. Please pray for his recovery and the recovery of everyone affected by the virus,” Jake said.
Estrada was president from 1998 to 2001 and was ousted after a series of protests on EDSA held from January 16 to 20, 2001 amid his trial for plunder charges.
He also served as mayor of the city of Manila from 2013 to 2019.
The country is currently grappling with a spike in Covid-19 cases, particularly in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Rizal and Cavite, which have been placed under the most strict quarantine classification until April. 4.
As of Monday, the country has recorded 731,894 confirmed Covid-19 cases of which 603,213 are recoveries with 13,186 recorded deaths.
The country has also set a new record for single-day increases in Covid-19 cases with 10,016 new infections on Monday. (PNA)
