MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Former President Joseph Estrada was declared the winner of Manila's mayoral election on Tuesday, his first ballot victory since his ouster in a 2001 anti-corruption revolt and a possible prelude to a return to higher office.

Estrada's was among a host of familiar names, including former first lady Imelda Marcos, to score wins in Monday's congressional and local elections. About half the votes have been counted so far, and if they accurately reflect the whole, President Benigno Aquino III will have enough congressional support to enact his policies in his last three years in office.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Aquino has described the election as a referendum on his administration.

"It seems clear that our countrymen have spoken overwhelmingly to confirm and expand the mandate for reform and change that they first granted in 2010 to President Aquino," Lacierda said.