President Joseph Estrada on Friday asked Congress to call for snap presidential elections in May, and said he will not stand in the polls.
"I believe this is the best course under the present circumstances since I still have the support of a significant number of people," Estrada, looking forlorn and dressed casually, said in a national broadcast.
He effectively refused calls for his immediate resignation.
"I do not think that the present polarization can be healed by a new leader who will take over without an electoral mandate from our people," he said as key cabinet ministers resigned and the military and police withdrew their backing for the embattled leader.
Estrada's six-year term in office expires in June 2004. His constitutional successor is Vice-President Gloria Arroyo.
The opposition immediately rejected Estrada's offer and again urged him to quit immediately for the sake of the nation.
"This is just a delaying tactic. He should resign now to save our country a lot of trouble," opposition Senator Sergio Osmena told reporters.
Opposition leaders said Estrada's proposal was unconstitutional as Congress was disallowed from calling for fresh polls unless the positions of the president and vice-president are vacant together.
Estrada's ally in the senate, Francisco Tatad, agreed with the opposition view. He told Estrada to "do what the people want" and "face history."
Estrada said he would not run in the election he was calling "and I will immediately hand over power to whoever is elected as my successor." -- MANILA (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
