Philippines President Joseph Estrada on Thursday vowed to step down immediately "if it is proven" that he took bribes from operators of illegal lotteries.
The House of Representatives is to begin impeachment proceedings against Estrada on November 6 based on allegations by an estranged ally that he took more than eight million dollars from operators of a popular but illegal numbers game called "jueteng".
"If it is proven that I accepted a single centavo from illegal gambling or took it from the national coffers, I will not stay a single minute longer in my position," he said in a speech to residents of this southern city during a provincial visit.
"Yes, they are accusing me that graft and corruption is rampant in the office of the president," Estrada said.
He said he would challenge anyone to name a government contract he had signed which was not above board.
He accused the political opposition of spreading "ugly, false rumors" meant to create a "bad image on your president that affects the image of the country here and abroad." -- KIDAPAWAN, Philippines (AFP)
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