PHILIPPINES: UNDER-FIRE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA APPEALS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND AN END TO SQUABBLING

Record ID: 443052

  • Title: PHILIPPINES: UNDER-FIRE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA APPEALS FOR NATIONAL UNITY AND AN END TO SQUABBLING
  • Date: 17th November 2000
  • Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (NOVEMBER 17, 2000) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. MV: PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA WITH MILITARY OFFICERS WALKING ALONG CORRIDORS OF MILITARY HOSPITAL 0.05 2. SV: ESTRADA LOOKING AT THE NEW BUILDING BEING BUILT 0.11 3. SV: HOSPITAL WORKERS WAVING AND GREETING ESTRADA "MERRY CHRISTMAS" PAN TO ESTRADA WAVING BACK 0.21 4. VARIOUS OF ESTRADA PINNING MEDALS ON WOUNDED SOLDIERS FROM MINDANAO (2 SHOTS) 0.53 5. SV: SOUNDBITE (English) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA SAYING: "There are forces in our society that are out to discredit my credibility to lead this nation." 1.03 6. MEDIUM SHOT OF ESTRADA AT THE PODIUM 1.12 7. SV: SOUNDBITE (Filipino) PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT JOSEPH ESTRADA SAYING: "I repeat to you all, I did not receive anything, not even a single centavo from any form of illegal gambling. This, as your commander in chief, I swear to you. My conscience is clear. I am not keeping anything from you the soldiers, especially to our countrymen. I am ready for the impeachment process, that will be held by the senate. I am ready to face the trial, as long as it conforms with our constitution. I believe that in the end, the truth will prevail". 1.28 8. SV: ESTRADA REACHING OUT TO SOLDIERS AND HOSPITAL STAFF 1.39 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 2nd December 2000 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Reuters ID: LVA5NMQBM1UKUG7V6QWEYOCOHF7
  • Story Text: Philippine President Joseph Estrada, who faces an
    impeachment trial next month on charges of bribery, has
    appealed for national unity and an end to squabbling.



    In his first comments since the Senate's formal decision to
    impeach Estrada, the Philippines president called
    upon politicians in the his country to end "our bickering and
    backstabbing and fault-finding".

    Visiting a military hospital in Manila, Estrada said:
    "There are forces in our society that are out to discredit
    my credibility to lead this nation."
    "I repeat to you all, I did not receive anything, not
    even a single centavo from any form of illegal gambling. This,
    as your commander in chief, I swear to you. My conscience is
    clear. I am not keeping anything from you the soldiers,
    especially to our countrymen. I am ready for the impeachment
    process, that will be held by the senate. I am ready to face
    the trial, as long as it conforms with our constitution. I
    believe that in the end, the truth will prevail," he added.

    He also reiterated that he intended to finish his
    six-year term in office, which ends in 2004.

    The former movie actor has been accused of accepting
    millions of dollars in bribes from gambling syndicates running
    an illegal numbers game and diverting government revenues for
    his own use.

    The opposition has mounted a fierce campaign for his
    resignation, and business groups, many of Estrada's own
    coalition members and trade unions have backed the call.

    It was his first public reaction to the impeachment charges
    "I am ready to testify before the Senate," Estrada told
    Filipinos living in Brunei, where he had gone for the
    Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit.

    "I never accepted (illegal gambling) money. The
    accusation against me is all a set-up to discredit me."
    Estrada returned to Manila late on Thursday (November
    16).

    The Senate is likely to begin hearing the charges
    against him next month. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel has
    said he wants a verdict by the first week of February, when
    the Senate begins a long break ahead of congressional
    elections in May.

    Senator Miriam Santiago, an ally of Estrada, has said he
    is likely to survive the trial since nine of the 22-member
    body are likely to vote in his favour.

    To remove Estrada from office at least 15 of the senators
    have to find him guilty.



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