Nationwide General Strike to Be Held in PhilippinesA nationwide general strike is to be held in the Philippines today to pressure President Joseph Estrada to step down.President Estrada's fate now lies in the hands of 22 Philippine Senators who are now committed to trying him on charges of bribery and corruption. Yesterday the Philippines 13th President became the first in the country's history to be impeached by the lower house and maybe the first to face a Senate trial. A two-thirds majority of Senate vote against Joseph Estrada will be enough to remove him from office. The conclusion of such a Senate trial could be months away. Philippines Vice President Gloria Arroyo praised the lower house decision to impeach, but renewed her calls for the President's resignation before the Senate trial begins. A general strike today by unions and business associations is pressuring for the same. |
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