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Ex-presidents urge Arroyo to resign

Philippine soldiers stand during an inspection of troops inside a military camp as they went on red alert at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, south of Manila, yesterday. The Philippine military warned that a massive anti-government protest calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo might be attacked by terrorists. PHOTO: EPA

Two former presidents joined thousands of protesters yesterday at an interfaith rally pressing for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation over a raging corruption scandal.

Thousands of soldiers and police went on high alert, setting up checkpoints at major highways as demonstrators gathered in the financial district for what organizers billed as the biggest crowd so far in weeks of protests. Tens of thousands of people filled nearby streets.

The rally was organized by a loose coalition of opposition groups, business people, left-wing activists, Roman Catholic Church-backed organizations and a large evangelical group, the Jesus is Lord Movement.

They were joined by former presidents Corazon Aquino -- who led the 1986 "people power" revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy to the Philippines -- and Arroyo's predecessor Joseph Estrada, who was ousted over massive corruption in 2001.

Both said that Arroyo, who has fended off three impeachment bids and four coup plots in seven years in power, should step down as the most peaceful option to the political crisis that is battering her government.

"No single group or person claims credit in leading this initiative," said Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the left-wing alliance, Bayan. "Mrs Gloria Arroyo made this possible. Her bankrupt and corrupt regime provided the urgency for everyone to set aside their differences and struggle together for truth and justice."

Arroyo's latest trouble stems from allegations of corruption in a US$330 million broadband deal with China's ZTE Corp, which she was forced to cancel.

In televised Senate hearings watched by millions, former consultants for the telecommunications contract have described how the president's husband and the country's elections chief -- who has since quit -- benefited from huge kickbacks linked to the aborted contract. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

Arroyo has not directly addressed the allegations against her and her husband but says she opposes corruption and that her family does no business with the government. ZTE also has denied the allegations.

Aquino said growing public discontent over the scandal could force Arroyo to quit.

"I am growing optimistic because I can see that more and more Filipinos are taking part in the effort to find the truth," Aquino said. "What came out in the Senate hearings was really shocking."
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