I'm still President, says Estrada

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, JAN. 31.Mr. Joseph Estrada, ejected from office on January 20, claimed in his first public appearance in nearly two weeks that he was still the President of the Philippines. Addressing supporters in Manila, Mr. Estrada said: ``I have not resigned. I am the duly elected President.'' The ousted President's remarks came a day after Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, sworn in as President by the country's Chief Justice on January 20, said she would ``crush'' the enemies of the State.

``To the destabilisers, I extend our hand of peace and reconciliation...should you, however, persist in your evil designs, I say to you: You can try but you will fail. You cannot win against the people. So, I warn you, think twice,'' Ms. Arroyo said in a televised address yesterday. ``I said it before and I will say it again, I am not a happy warrior, but if forced, I have a sworn duty to protect and defend the Constitution above everything else. I shall crush you,'' the tough-talking President stated. For his part, Mr. Estrada said today: ``We are faced today with the grave and overpowering constitutional crisis that affects the foundations not just of the presidency but of our Government and democratic institutions.'' ``This is the most serious challenge to our Constitution,'' Mr. Estrada was quoted as saying. The ousted President, whose supporters have approached the Supreme Court on the issue of the Court verdict, declaring the position of the Head of State ``vacant'', said: ``We must wage a battle through constitutional processes and remind the powers- that-be of what they may have forgotten.''

``I have only one country, one Constitution and one oath and this I will adhere to...no matter what they do to me, even if they jail me, no matter what happens, I will not desert you,'' the ousted President added. In an almost immediate response to Mr. Estrada's remarks, the military chief, Gen. Angelo Reyes, restated his support for Ms. Arroyo.

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Section  : International
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