Jubilation marks AFP withdrawal of support for Estrada; rallies mount

Jubilation marks AFP withdrawal of support for Estrada; rallies mount Ilocanos who have dubbed Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson as their hero danced in the streets with joy yesterday after receiving reports that big guns of the Armed Forces led by Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes, several Cabinet members and other top government officials had turned their back on President Estrada.

Vice Gov. DV Savellano said that employees at the provincial capitol went into unrestrained celebration as they saw the imminent fall of the Estrada administration.

Provincial Board Member Efren Rafanan said that although the President has not yet resigned, Ilocanos are already celebrating "as if the Number One enemy of our governor has already been ousted."

It will be recalled that Singson’s exposé triggered the impeachment of the President.

Meanwhile, about 10,000 Pangasinenses joining the rally at the Dagupan City plaza for the resignation of President Estrada erupted in jubilation yesterday upon hearing the same piece of news.

Msgr. Oscar Cruz of the Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese who chairs the Erap Agco La! (Enough of Erap) Movement leading the mass actions said it was most welcome news.

"We thank Secretary Orlando Mercado and Gen. Angelo Reyes for this solidarity because the military, after all, is not out to protect a man but the people – and the people are speaking clearly of having found President Estrada guilty as charged," Cruz said.

He added that the faster Estrada steps down from office, the easier it will be for the nation to rise again.

Former Speaker Jose de Venecia, who was defeated by Estrada in the 1998 elections, said he feels vindicated.

"We should celebrate and offer Mass in Manaoag for taking Erap away from us," De Venecia said.

Fourth district Rep. Benjamin Lim said he thought the fight would end only on Monday.

"It’s a pleasant surprise. Let’s hope for a peaceful transfer," Lim intoned.

Anti-Estrada movement snowballs

As there is an exodus of officials away from Estrada, anti-Estrada rallies are spreading and getting stronger all over the country.

Various militant groups and non-government organizations led by the Catholic Church in Cagayan Valley will send today a huge delegation to EDSA to press the call for the President’s resignation.

Bishop Ramon Villena of the diocese of Bayombong, co-chairman of the Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference of the Philippines has vowed to lead a series of protest actions until Estrada steps down.

In Bacolod City, about 80,000 black-clad Negrenses chanted a deafening "Erap Resign" call at the public plaza while anti-Estrada groups continued their calls on fence-sitters to join them in pressing for the President’s resignation.

Meanwhile, the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced their support for the call for work stoppage.

Earlier, employees of the Philippine Airlines showed their anti-Erap sentiments by wearing black armbands at work.

Bishop Emeritus Antonio Fortich said the Catholic Church will continue with the rallies until the President resigns.

Bishop Vicente Navarra, papal administrator of the Bacolod diocese, said yesterday’s protest action was a strong signal for Estrada to resign.

Spoof in Cotabato

After initiating a peculiar "Erap’s mistresses’ look-alike contest, leaders of cause-oriented groups in Cotabato City shaved their heads yesterday to dramatize their support for moves to oust the President.

Landy Doria, convenor of the Anti-Erap Movement in Cotabato City, said their unique ritual signifies their preparedness to face the consequences of their continuing actions against the President.

Leaders said they got their cue from the Moro juramentados who shave their heads before their suicidal frenzy.

Nenita Herrera, spokesperson of the Kambayaya Foundation, said they are planning other spoof contests similar to their look-alike contest participated in by women and gays from the city and nearby areas.

Estrada’s pictures removed in Albay

Meanwhile, the Albay provincial government removed yesterday all pictures of the President from the capitol and other government offices.

The removal of the President’s pictures followed the official signing of a manifesto of support for his resignation by Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara and 13 provincial board members.

The manifesto signing, which was made inside the capitol’s session hall yesterday morning, was greeted with anti-Erap chants by capitol employees and anti-Erap groups who were also wearing black arm bands.

Bichara said that Albay’s leaders could not just close their eyes to what is happening around the country.

Mindanao not Estrada country

The same sentiments were expressed by South Cotabato Gov. Hilario de Pedro III, who said that at least 12 more Mindanao governors are withdrawing their support for Estrada.

De Pedro said that aside from the 12 governors, at least nine city mayors would be joining their cause.

Earlier, governors Priscilla Chiongbian of Sarangani, Prospero Amatong of Zamboanga del Norte, Rosalie Lopez of Davao Oriental, Rodolfo del Rosario of Davao del Norte, and Pakung Mangudadatu of Sultan Kudarat had withdrawn their support.

De Pedro disputed the claims over national television by South Cotabato Rep. Luwalhati Antonino that Mindanao is "Erap country."

Thousands of students in General Santos and nearby Koronadal City walked out from their classes yesterday and trooped to the streets as protests calling for the immediate ouster of the President took a full swing.

Wearing black, some 4,000 students and faculty members of the Marist-run Notre Dame of Marbel University based in Koronadal boycotted their classes yesterday and assembled instead for a protest rally.

The protesters paraded a coffin to dramatize the so-called "death of democracy and freedom" in the country.

Mangyans join EDSA II

Some 1,000 activists and Mangyans from Calapan City in Oriental Mindoro left at dawn yesterday to join the mammoth anti-Erap rally at EDSA.

The protest groups left Calapan by boat and will join delegations from Batangas, Laguna and Quezon in going to EDSA.

This came amid the joining of forces of militant groups and the Kongreso ng Mindoreno para sa Inang Pilipinas (Kompil), a church-backed alliance calling for the President’s resignation, and the starting of protest rallies in different parts of Oriental Mindoro.

Since Wednesday, a daily noise barrage is held in Calapan twice a day, at 12 noon and at 5 p.m.

In Iligan City, thousands gathered yesterday at the back of the post office building in downtown Iligan to demand President Estrada’s resignation.

The rally was spearheaded by the Couples for Christ and the Handmaids of the Lord, and participated in by different religious denominations, including Muslims. Councilor Leo Zaragoza said that the huge crowd belies claims that Iligan City is pro-Erap.

In contrast, the pro-Erap supporters had dwindled in number.

In Marawi City, a bigger rally will be held today, according to Driza Liningding, Bangsa Moro Youth Movement Coordinator.

In Cagayan de Oro City, anti-Erap groups are still holding their vigil at Plaza Divisoria.

Bulacan, Davao rallies mount

This came as Bulacan Gov. Josefina dela Cruz signed a provincial council resolution supporting the Estrada Resign Movement authored by board member Jose Lava.

A similar call was mounted in Southern Mindanao, where various groups have vowed not to leave the streets until the President resigns.

Thousands of workers in Davao City walked out of their jobs and joined a march-rally that wound up at the Rizal Park yesterday afternoon.

A large contingent of media men in Davao City also took to the streets in protest of the turn of events in the impeachment trial against the President.

Archbishop Fernando Capalla and close to 100 priests concelebrated Mass Thursday at the San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City, while calling for the President’s resignation.

A noise barrage and the wild honking of horns continued while most houses also lit candles every 6 p.m. in symbolic call for peace.

Thousands from Tarlac, the home province of former President Corazon Aquino, have been traveling to Manila since Thursday night to join EDSA II, as majority of barangay captains of Tarlac City have decided to boycott the lavish preparations for the city’s fiesta celebration.

The local officials, who call their group Rebel Association of Barangay Captains, said they would not join the "Barangay Night" scheduled last night with the President’s son, San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, as guest. –With Antonieta Lopez, Charlie Lagasca, John Unson, Cet Dematera, Celso Amo, Allen Estabillo, Joe Leuterio, Lino dela Cruz, James Mananghaya, Edith Regalado, Benjie Villa, Ding Cervantes