Sinusuwerte kayo, Estrada tells critics

Don’t push your luck.

This was President Estrada’s tart reply to those who are asking for his resignation in the light of the gambling payoff scandal.

Mr. Estrada stressed that there is a constitutional process to follow, and that this should be strictly observed to preserve unity and harmony in the country.

The jueteng scandal has already triggered widespread protests, and the fragmented opposition appears to be consolidating to sustain the rallies that aim to remove Mr. Estrada from office.

"That is what these insane and power-hungry people want," the President told the urban poor when he opened a P180-million bridge that links Taytay, Rizal with Pasig City.

"I think they’re pushing their luck" because "I will not step down," he said, adding that he has a mandate to serve the people until 2004. "Just wait for your turn."

The Chief Executive also criticized a number of Makati-based businessmen, who claim to be on a "moral crusade" but have actually linked arms with "vile" politicians to oust him.

"They don’t care if there would chaos in the streets or if our economy falters. All they want is to snatch power," Mr. Estrada said.

The President said he will only quit his post if he is convicted of receiving millions of pesos from gambling bosses.

About 41 opposition legislators, backed by dozens of non-government organizations, on Wednesday filed an impeachment motion against Mr. Estrada for alleged bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and violation of the Constitution.

The complaint stemmed from accusations by Singson that Mr. Estrada took more than P400 million in bribes from operators of jueteng.

Singson charged that the President also pocketed some P130 million in tobacco excise taxes intended for his province.

In hearings conducted at the Senate, Singson submitted a ledger containing details of the alleged payoffs to Mr. Estrada and some of his aides.

The President has repeatedly denied the charges and said he was ready to defend himself, despite mounting calls for him to step down.

The impeachment motion has been submitted to Villar, who is expected to submit it to the House’s justice committee within 10 days.

The justice committee then will hold hearings expected to take about 60 days, although there are fewer than 40 session days remaining before the House goes into recess.

Meanwhile, Mr. Estrada asked his political opponents to spare First Lady Luisa "Loi" Ejercito and the First Family from sick jokes.

He issued the statement after rumors spread that Mrs. Ejercito had died after suffering a heart attack.

"This is the handiwork of people with wicked minds," Mr. Estrada said. "They are desperate (to remove me from office)."

"Don’t drag my family into this war. Face me instead, and I’ll take up the challenge in any place that you want. Just be prepared," he said.

In a related development, the De La Salle University System has joined the clamor for the President to resign from his post.

In a statement signed by administrators of the system, they said Mr. Estrada has already "lost the moral ascendancy to govern the nation" because he has "favored cronies, befriended nefarious elements and personally amassed unexplained wealth."

"Because of his lack of moral and competent leadership, there are now signs that the economy is headed for recession – the peso is plummeting, stock market investors are withdrawing, prices of basic commodities are increasing and the real income of most Filipinos is decreasing," the statement read.

It also expressed concerns that there are already "disturbing signs of partisan conflict," especially from those who are planning to use violence "to correct the situation."

"We believe that there is a quick way to start solving our present problems," the group said. "We support the call for President Estrada to resign." – Marichu Villanueva