Philippine Leader Urges Opposition to Set Aside Partisan Politics

Philippine President Joseph Estrada appealed to the opposition Saturday to set aside partisan political interests and work with his administration in helping victims of the recent calamity to rebuild their lives.

In "JEEP ni Erap" TV-radio program aired nationwide, the president said that instead of dwelling on politics, the nation should shift its focus now to the immediate problem brought by the recent onslaught of typhoons Reming and Seniang.

"Let us unite once more so that we can hurdle this new problem. We need the help of everyone, including the opposition. Our countrymen have suffered much destruction because of the typhoon and we need to serve them now," he said on the program.

As of Friday, Typhoon Reming affected 472,000 Filipino families or two million individuals, while Seniang affected 127,000 families or 668,000 individuals. Seniang left 26 people dead and millions of pesos in damages to agricultural lands and private property.

As of Friday, the government had set up 814 evacuation centers and distributed food, medicine and blankets, and other provisions to the calamity victims.

Reming affected nine regions, while Seniang lashed at Metro Manila,Southern Tagalog, and Central Luzon.

"Let me take this opportunity to appeal you again because of a much bigger problem ahead caused by the series of calamities that killed many of our countrymen and destroyed our crops and property, " the president said.

Estrada said that despite the charges hurled against him by his political foes, his administration continues to work hard to realize his campaign promise of improving the lives of poor Filipinos.

He said that he will soon face these charges in the proper forum,which is the impeachment proceedings in Congress. He called on everyone to respect this process as enshrined in the constitution.

A provincial governor testified last month that President Estrada pocketed more than US$ 11 million from illega gambling lords and tobacco taxes. Estrada has denied all the allegations, saying he will be proven innocent in the end.



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