For 2010 bets, Christmas is a time for family

MANILA, Philippines - Candidates in next year's presidential election took
time out from their busy schedules to spend some quality time with their
families on Christmas day.
Former president Joseph Estrada continued a
family tradition by inviting all members of the Ejercito clan to a reunion. Most
of the family, from the youngest grandchild to the oldest living relative, had a
good time with the former president who clearly enjoyed being the host of the
event.
"This is only my second Christmas out of jail so I really missed my
family. I told them 'We must have an honest-to-goodness, real family reunion,"
he told ABS-CBN.
Estrada was elected president in 1998 but failed to finish
his term after a four-day bloodless revolt ousted him from office in 2001. He
was tried and subsequently convicted of the crime of plunder but received a
pardon from President Arroyo a month after the sentence was handed down.
Estrada said he is running in next year's election to finish what he had
started in 1998.
Like Estrada, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Bangon Pilipinas
Movement also spent Christmas with his family. The founder and spiritual leader
of the Jesus is Lord Movement said Christmas is one of the few times of the year
that their entire family is together.
On the other hand, the family of the
late president Corazon Aquino spent their first Christmas without the democracy
icon after her death last August. Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, son of the
late president, said the Aquino holiday revelry this year was tinged with
sadness, knowing that there would be replacement for her beloved mother.
Sen. Manny Villar, meanwhile, decided to spend Christmas this year outside
the country with his family.
While the presidential contenders may be
opponents next year, all of them said they wished that the entire Filipino
people would look at the new year with hope.