Philippines Still Uneasy
Joseph Estrada, forced out of the presidential palace Saturday as protests against him intensified, was ordered Tuesday not to leave the country with the impeachment trial against him switching to a criminal investigation.
But even as the new government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo tried to exude a sense of growing normalcy, filling out her Cabinet and meeting with foreign diplomats, it had to quash a rumor that a coup was brewing.
Such rumors are common here in times of turmoil. But there were hints of potential backlash over what the backbone of Estrada's support, the poor masses — who saw him as a champion of the underdog — feels is vindictiveness.
The stock market, which advanced Monday on the news of Macapagal-Arroyo's ascension, slipped Tuesday.
Fueling the uncertainty is a letter written by Estrada to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel that was received Monday. In it, Estrada did not resign, but claimed he had only been temporarily incapacitated and turned over power to Macapagal-Arroyo in an acting capacity.
Pimentel said Monday the letter "looks like the basis for a constitutional challenge."
The letter also raised questions about whether Estrada still has presidential immunity, a key issue as the government continues its pursuit of the former president.
Government ombudsman Aniano Desierto, claiming Estrada's presidential immunity no longer exists, launched an investigation against the former action film star on six possible charges on Monday.
The Justice Department followed Tuesday by ordering that 24 people, including Estrada, wife Loi Ejercito and son Jinggoy, may not leave the country.
Tax collectors said they were ready to freeze bank accounts linked to him that prosecutors claim hold a fortune in bribes and kickbacks. More than 100 protesters gathered outside two Manila banks, vowing to prevent Estrada from accessing accounts he allegedly has there.
Pimentel said the impeachment court, which riveted the nation with live television coverage from the time it opened Dec. 7, will reconvene in coming days, but just to formally end it.
In the unprecedented impeachment trial, Estrada stood accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.
The trial was indefinitely suspended a week ago after the entire prosecution team resigned to protest an 11-10 vote by senators, sitting as judges, to bar access to bank records they said were crucial to their case.
Filipinos responded by taking to the streets in growing numbers for three days to demand that Estrada quit. Military Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes and other senior officials abandoned him on Friday.
Pimentel said he would ask senators to allow the opening of the envelope containing the disputed bank records during the tribunal's closing session.
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