Embattled Estrada appeals to army for support

Embattled Estrada appeals to army for support

MANILA (Agencies): Embattled Philippine President Joseph Estrada on Sunday enlisted the support of the country's 120,000- strong armed forces as calls mounted for him to resign over allegations he received bribes from illegal gambling syndicates.

Estrada, speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the new army chief Lt. Gen. Diomedio Villanueva, noted that the public elected him in 1998 to a six-year term and that calls for him to step down were unconstitutional.

He also blasted his critics as self-serving politicians out to destroy the presidency.

"Today as we turn over the command of the Philippine army from one dedicated officer to another, I ask you to join me in preserving the constitution and not the selfish motives of those who seek to violate its sanctity for their own political ends," Estrada said.

"This is what we have been sworn to do, this is what we have been sworn to protect. This is what it shall be." The presidency, Estrada said, has been besieged by "politically motivated attacks" aimed at discrediting his "moral credibility" to lead.

But such moves are doomed to fail, because the "veil of deceit can never conquer the light of truth," Estrada said. He was referring to allegations made by a former friend, provincial governor Luis Singson, that he received more than US$8 million in payoffs from operators of an illegal lottery called jueteng over two years.

He attacked Singson's credibility, noting he has been accused by a government auditor of misusing more than two billion pesos ($41 million) in public funds.

Estrada on Sunday reiterated his innocence, even as opposition legislators earlier filed an impeachment complaint at the House of Representatives.

Vice President Gloria Arroyo has resigned from her cabinet post amid the crisis and has vowed to lead a united opposition as financial markets continued to take a beating.

One legislator has called for the holding of "snap elections" to determine the true pulse of the public as anti-Estrada demonstrations have become a daily scene in Manila over the past two weeks.

The powerful Roman Catholic Church, as well as former presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos, have led public calls for Estrada to step down.

Estrada, stressing he was "given a mandate to govern" by the people, rejected the calls and likened himself to a soldier who does not abandon a fallen comrade while in battle.

He, however, hinted he might accept calls for a snap election if it is determined to be legal. "That is constitutionally impossible, but if they want, it would be better if there will be a snap election," he said. "It will be up to the people to judge."

"I am firmly convinced that we shall overcome the assaults against the integrity of our republic because we believe in the righteousness of our cause and ideal," he said. "We shall overcome because we have the loyalty, the commitment and the dedication of an armed forces that upholds the ideals of democracy and freedom."

He said his opponents were "sorely mistaken" if they thought the political crisis could distract him from his duties, and vowed to continue with his pro-poor programs.

He appealed to the opposition to "set aside political partisanship and vested interests" to help restore foreign investor confidence.

Defense chief Orlando Mercado, who was Estrada's campaign manager during the elections, however later met with armed forces chief Gen. Angelo Reyes and Villanueva and cautioned them to remain neutral amid the raging political crisis.

The government has earlier been forced to quash rumours of a possible military coup and a declaration of a state of emergency.