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Philippines: Uncertainty Ahead Of Estrada's Future
by Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA (IslamOnline) - Philippine President Joseph Estrada's fresh appeals for calm and sobriety seem to have caused more anger, rather than the intended calming effect hoped for, drawing more protests Thursday from a broader spectrum of the population.
A much larger crowd of approximately 50,000 is expected to march on the official presidential palace Friday, observers said, adding there are fears that the Philippines military may interfere in the ongoing crisis.
Huge crowds gathered on Edsa, a historic national shrine, Thursday and vowed to stay until "evil is conquered by good".
Estrada has insisted that he is in control and that the security situation in the country is not serious. However, a series of emergency meetings held at the palace suggested concern of a full-blown political crisis looming ahead of the President.
Apart from issuing a couple of brief statements yesterday, as emotions flared high in the streets over the perception that he would likely get off scot-free in his impeachment trial, Estrada avoided journalists and public functions.
Manila's Daily Inquirer even suggested that a constitutional crisis now looms in the wake of the indefinite adjournment of Estrada's impeachment trial following the resignation of 11 House prosecutors.
The adjournment also came after Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. resigned from the top Senate post and Senator Sergio Osmeña III took a permanent leave of absence as a judge in the impeachment trial.
The country is now faced with a "damaged" Senate, a House of Representatives in "paralysis," an impeached President and a possible postponement of national elections in May.
In the meantime, Estrada expressed confidence that the country's democratic institutions would come out stronger from the "wounds of divisiveness" wrought by the political storm that has rocked his almost three-year presidency.
At the same time, Estrada asked the people to reject Jaime Cardinal Sin's call for civil unrest and instead allow the constitutional process to take its course.
He said that while the impeachment trial has been a difficult and trying experience, the process has showed the world that Philippine democracy is alive.
Cardinal Sin, on Monday, initiated a nationwide campaign called People's Power, on the same terms that led to the creation of the first People's power movement 14 years ago that led to the removal of Ferdinand Marcos from power.
Former President Corazon Aquino, widow of the man whose assassination triggered the public outrage that culminated in the 1986 ''People Power" revolt, called for bigger numbers, saying: ''Our prayer is that there will be more people who will gather at Edsa in the coming days."
Sin said the millions of people who valued truth were more than sufficient to stand up to "only one immoral President and 11 shameless senators."
"Stay here until evil is conquered by good. Stay here until corruption is overcome by integrity. Stay here and pray. Stay here and keep watch," he said in a homily that was interrupted several times by applause and by slogans demanding Estrada's resignation.
In the wake of the impending instability that could rock his presidency, Estrada issued a strong statement with the aim of assuring the business community that contrary to misleading reports of chaos peddled by political detractors, the government remains in complete control of the security situation of the country.
He reiterated that the alleged Jose Velarde account, which generated so much heat in the impeachment proceeding, does not belong to him.
The ownership haggling over the Velarde account with the Equitable-PCI Bank between prosecution and defense counsels was the spark that eventually brought the prosecution from the hearings.
In his appeal for sobriety, Estrada urged the public to pray for strength and guidance "during these trying times."
"This trial has been a very difficult and trying experience for all of us and for the entire Filipino nation . . . Since the beginning of the trial, I have been praying that in the end, whatever is the outcome, our constitutional system and democratic institutions will remain stronger and more vibrant than ever," he said.
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