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MANILA – Deposed Philippine President Joseph “Erap” Estrada expressed his gratitude for those who wished for his speedy recovery from COVID-19 on Tuesday afternoon, as he continued to recover in a hospital.
In a video released by Estrada’s son, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the former CEO, could be seen hooked up to what appeared to be an oxygen tank, pausing to catch his breath as he addressed the audience.
The 83-year-old actor-turned-politician said he is in good condition and told the public to be careful not to catch the virus. He was hospitalized Sunday night.
WATCH:
Video courtesy of former Senator Jinggoy Estrada
“Good afternoon, compatriots. Thank you very much for your prayers and I am in good condition. ‘Don’t worry, I’m strong, be careful too. You too will stay healthy. Good afternoon again, ”Estrada said.
(Good afternoon everyone. Thank you very much for your prayers and I am in good condition. Don’t worry, I am strong. Stay safe and healthy too. Good afternoon again).
Jinggoy earlier in the day told ABS-CBN News that his father’s oxygen level has improved to 95-98 percent, from 85 percent Sunday night, when he was taken to the hospital.
However, despite some improvements, he said it was still too early to say that the former mayor of Manila “is already free of problems.”
He noted that doctors still needed to keep monitoring Patriarch Estrada’s condition for the next 3-4 days.
Estrada has been out of politics since losing his 2019 reelection bid to current Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Turning 84 next month, Estrada won the presidency in 1998 but had his term shortened in 2001 when he was ousted on corruption charges.
He was convicted of looting in 2007 and sentenced to life in prison, but his successor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, pardoned him a month later.
The country is battling a new wave of coronavirus infections, more than a year since the government imposed lockdowns to stop the spread of the virus.
On Tuesday, the health department recorded 9,296 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the country’s active cases to more than 124,000, one of the highest in Southeast Asia.
– Report by Sherrie Ann Torres, ABS-CBN News
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Erap Estrada, Former President Erap Estrada, COVID-19, Erap Estrada COVID-19, Estrada COVID-19, Jinggoy Estrada
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