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New Philippine president tries to 'hit the ground running'

 ON THE SCENE
reporter
Mike Chinoy: On the streets of Manila: 'Resign or Else!'

In this story:

'People Power II'

No resignation

Estrada maintains some support

RELATED STORIES, SITES icon



MANILA, Philippines (CNN) -- New Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is preparing for her first working day in office on Monday and told CNN she wants to "hit the ground running."

Arroyo -- formerly Philippine vice president -- took the oath of office Saturday after former President Joseph Estrada was ousted by the nation's Supreme Court. She said she has spent much of the weekend working to form a new Cabinet.

"Well, I feel that I have to hit the ground running ... because we have to put the government together," Arroyo told CNN's Maria Ressa. "Tomorrow is our first working day since the oath taking, so at 8 o'clock in the morning I should like to be able to have a decent government off and running."

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CNN's Maria Ressa interviews new Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

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CNN's Veronica Pedrosa finds out what people are saying about the transition of power

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CNN's Maria Ressa reports on the transition of power in the Philippines

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Former Philippines President Corazon Aquino comments on recent political events

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The 53-year-old new chief executive has already appointed a new finance secretary and announced plans to retain Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, while the search continues for other Cabinet members, including her vice president.

Streets in Manila have been filled with crowds, cheering and celebrating Estrada's ouster, which followed a months-long impeachment trial in the nation's Senate on corruption charges. The trial collapsed in a dispute over evidence. The Supreme Court ruled that Estrada was no longer eligible to hold office, opening the door for then-Vice President Arroyo.

'People Power II'

Comparisons are being made between Arroyo's ascent to power and the so-called "People Power" revolution in 1986 that led to the ouster of longtime President Ferdinand Marcos. Many Philippine residents are calling this weekend's events "People Power II."

"Both times they were bloodless," Arroyo said. "This is the second time we've done it. We've had a peaceful revolution this time, this second time because People Power is institutionalized in our Constitution. This is constitutional."

One scholar on the subject said this popular uprising "was about a moral revolution."

"It's an assertion of ethical values," said Randy David of the University of the Philippines.

No resignation

But unlike Marcos, who quickly left the nation to live in exile, Estrada has not yet officially resigned from office and continues to occupy his luxurious suburban home, which presents a thorny problem for the new government.

"My father is still a force to be reckoned with," said Estrada's son, Jinggoy Estrada. "All I can tell you is that my father has not resigned. So the vice president is the president in an acting capacity."

Arroyo disagreed and said the question of Estrada's resignation was "academic."

"The Supreme Court has already declared him out of office," she said. "Everything we've done is part of the Constitution.

Estrada maintains some support

Much of Estrada's support remains strong among the nation's poorer classes who came to know him during his previous career as an action movie star.

Many of Arroyo's supporters say they want to see Estrada punished. "Of course, we want him in jail," said Manila Mayor Mel Lopez.

Arroyo has responded to calls for Estrada's punishment by saying that "justice will take its course and the government will proceed in a dignified manner."

On Saturday a government spokesman said a new probe was under way against Estrada alleging graft and similar charges to those in his impeachment trial.

CNN Correspondent Veronica Pedrosa, Jakarta Bureau Chief Maria Ressa, Hong Kong Bureau Chief Mike Chinoy and Reuters contributed to this report.

ASIANOW


RELATED STORIES:
Opposition deadline passes without word from Estrada
January 19, 2001
Estrada opponents call for general strike
January 18, 2001
Maria Ressa on the Philippines' political institutions on trial
January 17, 2001
Philippine opposition calls for chain of protest against Estrada
January 17, 2001
Key Philippines impeachment testimony may be thrown out
January 15, 2001
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January 3, 2001
Philippine presidential impeachment witness alleges cover-up
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January 1, 2001
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December 22, 2000

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


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