The opposition leader of the Philippines and former film star, Joseph Estrada, has been proclaimed by Congress as the winner of Presidential elections held eighteen days ago.

Mr Estrada will take office on June the thirtieth when the outgoing President, Fidel Ramos, stands down at the end of his six year term.

The BBC Manila correspondent says that the peaceful transfer of power shows how the political system has matured since the overthrow of the late President Ferdinand Marcos twelve years ago.