Opposition parties in the Philippines Saturday unveiled a united front in a bid to oust embattled President Joseph Estrada from office over corruption allegations
"It is imperative that the President resign immediately to avoid irreparable damage to the economy and to restore the people's faith and confidence in government," Philippine Vice-President Glora Arroyo said.
She was speaking at a meeting of anti-Estrada forces in the central city of Cebu, where she took on the post of leader of the "united opposition."
The meeting marked the formal launch of the opposition front, bringing together Arroyo, head of the Lakas (Strength) party, and two smaller parties, Reporma (Reform) and Promdi (Provincial).
During the meeting Reporma's leader, former defense secretary Renato de Villa and Promdi head, former governor Lito Osmena, endorsed Arroyo as leader of the opposition to Estrada.
Arroyo cited the scandal over accusations that President Estrada had received millions of dollars in pay-offs from illegal gambling syndicates and warned that unless he was replaced, the loss of confidence would cause serious damage to the economy.
"Our economy is sinking fast, battered by rising prices of basic commodities. We are concerned that the deterioration of the economy and the rapid loss of faith... is making the country vulnerable to extremist threats," she told a crowd of more than 500 political leaders.
The accusations against Estrada were made public earlier this month by a former Estrada friend, provincial governor Luis Singson.
As a result, both houses of Congress have started investigations into the charges while opposition legislators have filed an impeachment motion against the president.
Prominent figures, including bishops of the influential Roman Catholic church, have joined the clamor for Estrada to resign.
Speaking on his weekly radio show on Saturday, Estrada, popularly known by his nickname "Erap", reiterated that he was not stepping down and repeated accusations that the whole controversy was a conspiracy by the opposition.
"I am appealing to the sense of patriotism of those in the opposition who started this crisis: do not sacrifice the welfare of our people for your personal interests," Estrada said.
The political turmoil has pushed the Philippine peso to record lows and the local stock market to two-year lows.
The president and vice-president are elected separately in the Philippines, and Estrada and Arroyo come from different parties.
"I am confident that President Estrada will resign due to the pressure of the people who are angry over the rising prices of commodities, the loss of jobs," Arroyo said.
Earlier, lawyer and television talk-show host Francis Pangilinan, another member of the united opposition, said they were planning several protest actions including a boycott of firms believed owned by Estrada's cronies as well as a possible nationwide strike.
Arroyo said the opposition was "drafting an alternative national agenda that will... re-establish political stability and achieve an economic turnaround in the short term."
This would include plans for "the first 100 days following President Estrada's inevitable resignation," she said, without giving details.
Meanwhile, about a hundred pro-Estrada demonstrators staged a rally in front of the official residence of Manila archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin.
The archbishop, a frequent critic of Estrada, was among the first to call for his resignation -- CEBU, Philippines (AFP)
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