Arroyo and Estrada at same venue

President Gloria Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada yesterday attended the birthday party of charismatic lay leader Brother Mike Velarde during a prayer rally that was attended by 5,000 people at Manila's central Luneta park.

Arroyo attended the rally earlier and gave a message of inspiration to Velarde.

While she was onstage, Estrada and his family members, Senator Loi Ejercito and son Jinggoy, also a senator, waited at a room in nearby Manila Hotel.

The Estrada family went onstage with a message to Velarde. It was the first time that Arroyo and the Estradas were seen "almost together" in one public place.

Velarde was a supporter of Estrada during his presidency.