Vice-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over as the new Philippine president yesterday after mass street protests that she and her supporters dubbed a re-run of the country's 1986 "people power" revolution.
The Supreme Court stripped incumbent Joseph Estrada of his title after the military's entire senior command, the police and most of the Cabinet defected amid street protests by hundreds of thousands of people outraged by the collapse of his impeachment trial on charges of corruption.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Arroyo choked back tears as she took her oath of office before cheering supporters at the EDSA shrine in Manila, the stage of the 1986 "people power" revolt that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos.
"The Filipino has done it again on the hallowed ground of EDSA," she told the crowd, praising the peaceful "people power two" that helped sweep her into office over only a few dramatic days.
"I accept the privilege and responsibility to act as president of the republic," she told the jubilant masses. "I do so with a sense of trepidation and a sense of awe."
Estrada's position was weakened on Friday when the military and police withdrew their support and shifted allegiance to Arroyo. Most of his Cabinet also resigned and sided with the protesters.
Left with only a handful of loyal ministers, Estrada and his family left the presidential palace by river barge about two hours after Arroyo was sworn in.
Arroyo denied there had been any deal with Estrada.
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