Philippine President Rejects Resignation CallPhilippine President Joseph Estrada said Saturday that despite the rallies organized by the opposition, he would not resign.According to the official Philippines News Agency, the president also renewed his call for his political opponents to work with him in solving the country's problems while distributing relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Seniang in Rizal province. "There is no need to rally. No amount of rally or demonstration can make me resign," he said. Commenting about the prayer-rally held in Manila led by Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, the president said it is a part of democracy where people can assemble and express their views. Saturday's rally was also attended by Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos. Tens of thousands of participants crowded Edsa Shrine to call for the resignation of President Estrada who was accused of receiving more than US$ 11 million in bribes in the last two years. But Estrada said for his part, he would just concentrate on serving the people, especially the poor and those affected by the recent calamities. "I will not do anything except to help the poor," the president said, adding that rallies and protest marches would not compel him to abandon his sworn duty to serve until the end of his term in 2004. The president also called on his detractors to just wait for the outcome of the impeachment case filed against him at the House of Representatives, adding that the constitutional processes should be followed. Estrada said that he is confident that in the end, he will be vindicated and that he will be able to prove his innocence. The opposition already has enough members in the House of Representatives to send the impeachment case to the Senate, but Estrada's allies still dominate the upper house which has the power to remove him from office. |
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