KARUNA SHINSHO, CNN ANCHOR: In the Philippines, former President Joseph Estrada will have to wait until the end of the month to be arraigned in court on perjury charges. Estrada was to appear in court on Thursday, but police say his presence might trigger street violence. He has been under guard in hospital after his arrest last month on charges of corruption and economic plunder. The delay comes as Estrada's political allies appear to be making a strong showing in Monday's elections. Maria Ressa has more on the vote count, and what it means for Estrada and the woman who replaced him, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.</s>MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Cries of cheating rallied this crowd, supporters of a losing candidate on the third day of counting. Troops moved in to stop the violence, most prevalent in local elections often fueled by long-running rivalries. With more than 17,600 posts to be decided by a tediously slow and manual vote count, candidates and supporters are watching closely. More than 230,000 polling stations were manned by the country's public school teachers, many of whom protested the way elections were run Monday.</s>RAYMOND VILLANUEVA, ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED TEACHERS: This commission on elections just presided over what could probably be the worst election in recent memory. Hundreds of thousands of voters were not able to exercise their right to suffrage what they gave us was the right to suffer.</s>RESSA: Despite the hallmarks of Philippine elections: the violence, intimidation, vote-buying and fraud, officials claimed these elections reflect the will of the people. Candidates backed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have a slim lead over opposition politicians backed by her predecessor, Joseph Estrada. On Wednesday, Mrs. Arroyo says no matter the results, elections show a democracy in progress. She said she spoke with opposition leaders and emphasized her goal now is healing. She told investors the Philippines is open for business. Still, the markets reacted cautiously waiting for official results expected on May 28th. Maria Ressa, CNN, Manila.
Former President Estrada's Political Allies Appear to be Making Strong Showing in Elections in Philippines