The Philippines capital of Manila was in turmoil yesterday as thousands of opponents of President Joseph Estrada took to the streets in protest at a decision not to include key evidence in his corruption trial.
Trouble started when a Senate tribunal voted by the tightest of margins, 11 votes to 10, not to admit bank records which the prosecution claimed would prove President Estrada had kept an account for 3.3 billion pesos ($63.5 million) in violation of anti-corruption laws. The senator-judges ruled that the records were not part of the original impeachment order.
After the decision, the trial came to an abrupt halt when all 11 prosecutors resigned en masse. One of the 21 senators also resigned as the country was thrown into deeper political confusion.
There were immediate protests in Manila with thousands voicing their objection to the decision by spilling on to the capital streets.
Philipppines markets took an immediate hit following the critical Senate vote. The peso hit an all-time low following the protests before recovering slightly. Manila stocks plunged with the main index closing 6 per cent down due to investor panic over fears of civil unrest.
Analysts said they expected further damage. Before yesterday's drop the stock market was up 3.83 per cent to date this year, making it the best-performing market in the region.
Many of those involved in the 1986 "people power" revolt which resulted in the dictator Ferdinand Marcos being toppled, were involved in mobilising street protests and urging people from the provinces to travel to Manila to voice their concerns.
They included the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Jaime Sin, and former President Fidel Ramos.
Cardinal Sin said President Estrada was a "disaster" and a womaniser and he demanded his immediate resignation.
The former President Ramos said his successor was unfit to rule and he called on Estrada opponents for support in a crusade for better governance and effective leadership.
A group of President Estrada's supporters staged a counter-protest near the presidential palace to back the embattled former movie star. While extra police were deployed in the capital from the provinces, there was no violence or injuries.
There were reports that the President ordered the police to secure Manila's trains to prevent a repetition of the bomb attacks of December 30th which claimed the lives of 22 people and left more than 10 wounded.
President Estrada denies charges of corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust and violation of the constitution. If found guilty he will be removed form office by a two-thirds vote of the Senate on any one of the charges before him.
The Philippines Vice-President, Mr Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, issued a statement warning of a "junta plot". He takes over from President Estrada should he be convicted. He said those plotting a "civilian-military junta" to take over government would be opposed.
Philippines army chiefs said they would fight any attempt by "vested groups" to exploit political unrest. The armed forces chief said: "We are mandated and guided by the constitution and we will thwart any attempt by any vested groups to exploit the situation to their advantage."
AFP adds: Mr Estrada's son, Mr Joseph Victor Ejercito, said that while the Estrada clan was not worried about a "revolution", his father was concerned about the economy, particularly the plunging peso.