Arroyo sworn in as president of Philippines

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MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- Philippine Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Saturday accepted what she called "the privilege and responsibility to act as president of the republic."

"I do so with both trepidation and awe," she said, after she was sworn in as president following a declaration by Chief Justice Hilario Davide that the presidency was vacant, which effectively booted the embattled Joseph Estrada from office.

Under the Philippine Consitution, the vice president takes the reins of power when the president's office becomes vacant.

"We can assure the people that President Estrada accepts the decision of the Supreme Court," Estrada's Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara said. But he disputed widespread speculation that Estrada plans to leave the country and said Estrada had not signed a resignation.

VIDEO CNN's Maria Ressa reports on the transition of power in the Philippines Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino comments on recent political events Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)    AUDIO Correspondent Maria Ressa talks about the Philippines VP pending swearing in 365K/34 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    GALLERY Scenes of protest across the Philippines    RESOURCES Chronology of Estrada's loss of moral authority in the Philippines    PROFILES Key players in the Estrada impeachment case    RESOURCES Follow a timeline showing President Estrada's recent political crisis    MESSAGE BOARD Estrada trial     ALSO Text of Estrada statement Philippines VP ready to fill Estrada's shoes Philippine embassy in Washington dumps Estrada

Estrada issued a statement about Arroyo's swearing-in, saying he had "strong and serious doubts about the legality and constitutionality of her proclamation as president" but that he would give up his office to avoid being an obstacle to the nation's healing process.

Estrada called on his supporters "to join me in the promotion of a constructive national spirit of reconciliation and solidarity."

Estrada and his family later left the Malacanang palace, smiling and waving to reporters and shaking hands with the remaining members of his Cabinet and other palace employees.

They boarded a boat to cross the river to the headquarters of the Presidential Security Group, then got into a silver van.

Although Estrada had vowed earlier to "live and die in our country," a diplomatic source said he was believed to be preparing to go to Australia.

Arroyo said that her approach to running the government would be based on four core beliefs.

First, "we must be bold in our national ambitions" and fight against poverty.

Two, "we must improve moral standards in government and society in order to provide a strong foundation for good governance," she said.

Three, "we must change the character of our politics in order to create fertile ground for true reforms. Our politics of personality and patronage must give way to a new politics of party programs and a process of dialogue with the people."

Finally, Arroyo said, she believes in leadership by example. Therefore, "we should promote solid values such as the work ethic and a dignified lifestyle" and "performing rather than grandstanding."

All of these comments seemed aimed directly at Estrada, a former movie star turned politician who was driven from power by allegations of corruption.

"I ask for your support and prayers. Together we will light the healing and cleansing flame. This we owe to the Philippines. This we owe to every Filipino. Thank you and God bless you," she said at the conclusion of her address.

The dramatic turn of events came after thousands of opposition protesters demanding Estrada's resignation broke through the barricades of the presidential palace on Saturday morning, where the embattled leader was holed up.

Once an opposition deadline demanding his departure passed, thousands of opposition supporters who had gathered at a memorial to those killed in the 1986 popular overthrow of former President Ferdinand Marcos, began a march to the presidential palace.

Soon after the 6 a.m. deadline expired, thousands of Filipinos began to march to the Mendiola Bridge near the presidential palace in a bid to force him out. The Mendiola Bridge, near the main drive leading up to the palace, is where Filipinos have traditionally gathered to express their displeasure with governments.

Arroyo -- daughter of the late Diosdado Macapagal, who served as the Philippines president from 1961 until he lost a bid for re-election to Marcos in 1965 -- had earlier rejected the embattled president's call for snap elections as key military and government officials defected to the opposition's side.

"That's illegal and unconstitutional," said the vice president.

"The president has not only lost moral authority to govern, but now has no government," Arroyo said in a statement in which she referred to herself as the "new commander-in-chief," according to The Associated Press.

Arroyo has led an opposition campaign joined by hundreds of thousands of ordinary Filipinos and unlikely allies from big business and left-wing communist groups.

Earlier, Estrada said in a televised speech that he would not run if Congress announces snap elections, to be held in May alongside general elections.

"This, I believe is the best course under the present circumstance," he said. "Since I still have the support of a significant segment of our people, I do not think that the present polarization can be healed by a new leader who will take over without an electoral mandate."

Armored personnel carriers were seen entering the palace grounds following the announcement, in what palace officials called a routine security operation.

Estrada, elected president by an overwhelming majority in 1998, was on trial in the Philippines Senate on corruption charges, but that trial was suspended earlier this week when the Senate judges barred evidence the prosecutors in the case said would prove the president's guilt.

Protests erupted almost immediately. Nearly 150,000 demonstrators loudly demanded Estrada's resignation on Friday, joined by national police officials, the army chief and air force chief, many still wearing their uniforms.

Philippine Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Angelo Reyes resigned from the Estrada administration on Friday, withdrawing their support for the president and joining protesters in urging him to step down. Former President Corazon Aquino was also demanding that Estrada leave office.

Reyes and Mercado arrived at the historic EDSA Our Lady of Peace shrine -- located on an important artery in Manila called Epifanio de los Santos (EDSA) Avenue -- to wild cheers.

The shrine is the focal point of the "People Power" protests that led to the ouster of Marcos in 1986 and is now the gathering place of the anti-Estrada demonstrations.

Officials threw their support behind Arroyo, as the finance secretary, national treasurer and five undersecretaries also defected. Central bank Gov. Rafael Buenaventura said Estrada's entire team of economic advisers wanted the president to resign to help the Philippines "preserve the economy and the banking system."

Near the anti-Estrada demonstration, thousands of Estrada loyalists marched through the capital's Makati financial district on Friday when a rock-throwing clash with protesters calling for the beleaguered president to step down erupted near the Philippine Stock Exchange.

At least two people were injured in the battle, witnesses said.

"They (the troops) are authorized by the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines). A situation might arise and we must be ready for it," military spokesman Gen. Generoso Senga told reporters.

Meanwhile, a crowd of about 5,000 Estrada supporters occupied grounds near the presidential palace.

"If they remove Erap, there will be a revolution," said Myrna Casino, one of the leaders of the pro-Estrada group. Erap, which means "Buddy" in English, is Estrada's nickname.

Friday's crisis was sparked earlier this week when the Senate, sitting as judges in Estrada's impeachment trial on corruption charges, voted to bar a key piece of the prosecution's evidence.

All 11 men prosecuting the president quit in protest, saying the 11-10 Senate vote spelled doom for their case.

They said a fair verdict was impossible because so many of the senators were in the president's pocket.

In October, Luis Singson, the governor of Ilocos Sur state and a former friend of Estrada, accused the president of taking more than $7.7 million in bribes from illegal gambling lords as well as another $2.5 million in tobacco tax kickbacks.

Estrada has repeatedly denied the charges.

Manila Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Sin called on Filipinos on Friday to join thousands of protesters gathered outside a church along Manila's EDSA highway demanding the resignation of Estrada.

Sin's call was reminiscent of broadcasts he made from a dissident radio in 1986 when he urged Filipinos to gather the at EDSA shrine and join an uprising against late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who was eventually toppled from power.

"I am calling on all of you to stay at EDSA (shrine) the whole day. EDSA is holy ground. God is in this place," Sin said in a statement on Friday. "Do not go anywhere."

CNN's Maria Ressa and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)
Philippine House of Representatives

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