Philippine New President Sworn In, Pledging New Beginning

Philippine New President Sworn In

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Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was sworn in as New President of the country in Manila Saturday noon.

Arroyo vowed to make a new beginning for the Philippines at the swear-in ceremony.

She told a huge audience that the Philippines has a great task of fighting against poverty, building good governance and changing the character of Philippine politics.

To fulfill the task, she said, the Philippine leadership should lead the country by example and through dialogue with the citizens.

She added, to build a world class economy, the Philippines should also build a world class political system, that is, to perform rather than to ground stand in the national construction and the fight against the national problem -- poverty.

She was sworn in as the new Philippine president after former President Joseph Estrada resigned.

Estrada Resigns

Philippine President Joseph Estrada resigned Saturday and the vice president was prepared to take the oath of office, according to a radio announcement here.

The news came just minutes after protesters demanding Estrada's ouster pushed through police lines and marched close to the presidential palace, demanding the ouster of the president.

Anti-Estrada protesters cheered wildly and waved flags after officials, including Laguna Province Gov. Jose Lina, said Estrada had quit.

Mike Arroyo, husband of Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, announced on local radio that Estrada had signed the resignation letter drafted for him by the opposition.