By
The Associated Press
MANILA, Philippines - Opposition lawmakers alleging President Joseph Estrada pocketed gambling money filed impeachment charges against him Wednesday, plunging the country into political crisis.
The 41 congressmen who filed the impeachment case acknowledged they have insufficient support in the Congress for passage of the charges. But the attempt is likely to take months, hurting an economy already shaken by political crisis and separatist violence.
More than 10,000 protesters crowded Manila's business district to demand that Estrada step down. Yellow confetti showered down from the windows of the stock exchange as workers watched from building ledges.
Former President Fidel Ramos joined calls for Estrada to resign. ''The continuous hemorrhage of the economy, the hardship of the people must be solved by a voluntary act of resignation,'' Ramos said.
Estrada rejected any resignation and said he had did not receive ''even a centavo'' of the $11.4 million in illegal gambling money and tobacco taxes he is accused of pocketing.
''These charges are baseless,'' he said in a speech in suburban Quezon City. ''Others are saying I should step down as president. I would never do that because I have a sworn duty to the masses.''
''These people have lost their minds,'' he said.
The payoff allegations plunged the Philippines into its worst political crisis in years. Business, political and religious groups have demanded Estrada's resignation and warned of serious economic consequences if he remains.
Twenty-six citizen groups also signed the impeachment complaint.
''It's going to be a tough fight,'' said Roilo Golez, a congressman who resigned recently from Estrada's LAMP party. ''But this is an irreversible tide.''
The impeachment charges must be approved by at least one-third of the 217-member House of Representatives, or 73 people, before they can be sent to the Senate for a trial. The Senate can remove the president if two-thirds of its 23 members support the motion.
Besides the payoff charges, Estrada is accused of using his office to benefit his own businesses.
Three other Philippine presidents have faced impeachment, including Ferdinand Marcos. None was removed from office by impeachment.
