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Estrada Mounts Challenge to New Philippine President
New Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appealed for unity on Monday as former President Joseph Estrada launched what some saw as a constitutional challenge to her presidency.
Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, who served under Estrada and has been retained by Arroyo, said that there was no threat to law and order.
Estrada's apparent challenge centers around whether Arroyo is the legal president or merely the acting president, because Estrada has not officially resigned.
Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel said he had received a letter from Estrada saying he was only giving up power temporarily.
A copy of the letter, received Monday but dated January 20, said: "I am unable to exercise the powers and duties of my office. By operation of law and the Constitution, the Vice-President shall be the Acting President."
Under the constitution, the president can re-assume the presidency later if he states he is able to.
Officials at the House of Representatives said a similar letter from Estrada had been received by Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella.
But the Supreme Court appeared to head off any challenge by approving unanimously a resolution upholding its unprecedented decision to install Arroyo in power.
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