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Philippine president Estrada resigns

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January 20, 2001 

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — President Joseph Estrada quit amid a corruption scandal Saturday as tens of thousands of protesters marched on his residence. The country's vice president immediately took the oath of office in an effort to end the Philippines' worst crisis in years.

The rapid-paced developments came just minutes after protesters pushed through police lines and marched close to the presidential palace, demanding the removal of the former action-film star whose political career was ruined by a corruption scandal and an unprecedented impreachment trial.

``It is now, as the good book says, a time to heal and a time to build,'' Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told masses of screaming supporters after taking the oath of office at the monument to the ``people power'' revolution that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

The demonstrators cheered wildly and waved flags after officials announced that Estrada had quit. Macapagal-Arroyo had been calling herself the ``new commander in chief'' since Friday evening, after Estrada's military leaders and most of the Cabinet deserted him.

``We can assure the people that President Estrada accepts the decision,'' Estrada's Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara said. But he disputed widespread speculation that Estrada plans to leave the country.

Estrada spent a turbulent morning barricaded inside the presidential palace, apparently seeking last-minute concessions for the only thing he had left to offer: his resignation.

An air force fighter jet buzzed past the palace in the late morning and four military helicopters had been hovering overhead — reminders to Estrada that his defense chiefs deserted him a day earlier.

The nation has been suffering through political turmoil that exploded in October with allegations Estrada took gambling kickbacks and skimmed money from provincial tobacco taxes.

Estrada's highly charged opponents and smaller groups of supporters got into shoving matches early Saturday near one roadblock, where rocks and one small explosive were thrown. Police fired at least one warning shot but there were no reports of injuries.

Estrada remained inside the palace, Malacanang, preparing a statement, a spokesman said. The president's spiritual adviser, evangelist Mike Velarde, said he spoke with Estrada, who was packing his bags.

The end was inglorious for the former action-movie star who was being tried on unprecedented impeachment charges when the situation worsened Tuesday as senators serving as judges narrowly refused to open bank records that prosecutors say would have proven Estrada's guilt.

Protests swelled and Estrada was devastated Friday by a string of high-level defections. At least a quarter-million people demanded his resignation during a raucous rally at a Manila monument to the 1986 ``people power'' revolt that threw out late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

As Estrada tried to negotiate as favorable an exit as possible — raising issues said to have included his departure from the nation as well as requests to take some of his fortune — demonstrators began marching toward the palace in the early morning.

Some rode in trucks and waved big flags and banners, but most were on foot, cheered by thousands on roadsides who handed out food and gave thumbs-down signs for Estrada, known by the nickname ``Erap.''

The emotional crowd eventually reached a barricade not far from the palace gates and pushed quickly through, yelling ``Peace!'' at the riot police who quickly retreated.

Manila's influential Roman Catholic leader, Jaime Cardinal Sin, asked the protesters to delay the march amid worries pro-Estrada groups were ready for a brawl. The palace also was surrounded by heavily armed presidential guards — perhaps Estrada's last layer of protection.

``This is the only way to show President Estrada that he has to step down for the good of the country and the love of the nation,'' said one protest leader, Teddy Casino.

Estrada tried to buy time Friday with two appearances on national television. He offered to restart his impeachment trial, then later urged Congress to call snap elections in May, saying he would stay out of the race.

It was a clear attempt to thwart Macapagal-Arroyo, the daughter of a former president who headed an opposition group made up of such diverse elements as big business and left-wing labor and communist forces.

Macapagal-Arroyo's aides resisted Estrada's attempts to gain concessions. Details of his decision to leave were not immediately released.

Sources earlier said three airplanes were put on standby at nearby Villamor Air Base, and that immigration officials were told to go there and prepare to process some people leaving the country by early Saturday. Rumors of possible destinations included the United States and Australia.

U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher called the crisis ``a domestic issue for the people of the Philippines to decide according to their own peaceful means and constitutional system.''

Minutes after Estrada went on television for the first time Friday, military chief Gen. Angelo Reyes abandoned the president and joined the wildly cheering protesters in Manila.

Reyes sought conciliation, saying Estrada and his family should be allowed to ``exit with dignity.''

Chanting and dancing anti-Estrada demonstrators jubilantly declared victory, after earlier hanging the president in effigy and conducted a mock trial that found him guilty. The rally echoed the protests against Marcos, who fled the country when the military turned against him.

Marcos' widow, Imelda, whose massive shoe collection became an infamous focal point of her husband's fall from power, has been one of Estrada's high-profile supporters.