Joseph Estrada sat down to dinner with a pair of old associates - San Miguel Corp. chief Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Airlines head honcho Lucio Tan.

CNN: PHILIPPINE AIR GETS GROUNDED

Consider as one example the takeover of beer and food giant San Miguel by a longtime political ally of Estrada's - and close associate of Marcos - businessman Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco.

CNN: Estrada Denies Cronyism

And he may have a tough time keeping at arm's length longtime associates and political supporters like Philippine Airlines boss Lucio Tan and San Miguel tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco - both Marcos-era cronies whose many business interests necessarily involve government.

CNN: Act II for Estrada