Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is now COVID-19 free, his son ex-Senator Jinggoy Estrada announced today.
“We are happy to announce that my dad continues to improve and we expect that he can be transferred to a regular room soon,” Jinggoy said in an online statement.
“His repeat RT-PCR (swab test) is now NEGATIVE!” the former lawmaker added.
Read: Manila mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada recuperating from pneumonia
Erap is still on “high flow oxygen support” but at a reduced rate, and has been on a “soft diet.” The former president is conversing normally and is in good spirits, his son said.
“Again, we thank everyone for their continuous support and love and ask that you continue to pray for him and others who are afflicted with this awful and dreaded disease. Thank you so much,” Jinggoy said.
Erap was rushed to the hospital last month after testing positive for COVID. At one point, he had to placed on mechanical ventilation due to his pneumonia.
A former actor, Erap was president of the country from 1998 to 2001 but resigned after he was impeached over corruption allegations. He was incarcerated and found guilty of his crimes but was pardoned by his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He was freed in 2007 and ran for president in 2009 but lost to Benigno Aquino III.
In 2013, he successfully ran for mayor of Manila City and was re-elected to the position in 2016. He failed to clinch a third term when he lost to the incumbent, his former ally Isko Moreno.
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