Manila, July 28: A day after facing down a dramatic military mutiny that shook her presidency, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today won a standing ovation from the nation's Congress by ordering an independent probe into the causes of the uprising by junior officers. Hours earlier, police arrested a key supporter of Joseph Estrada, the disgraced ex-President Arroyo replaced after his ouster by popular protest in 2001.
They alleged that several Estrada cronies aided and fomented yesterday's rebellion that ended without bloodshed in Manila's financial district.
Estrada, who has been in custody for more than two years as he stands trial for corruption, insisted that he had nothing to do with yesterday's drama. "Neither me nor my supporters has a role in this whole thing, and personally, I have nothing to gain from this incident," he said.
Arroyo, who many regard as Estrada's nemesis, used her State of the Nation address to reassure the country that she remains in control.
The force of her words immediately fueled speculation that she might reverse an earlier promise not to stand in next year's presidential election. Arroyo did not mention her political plans, but pledged action to solve critical problems including terrorism, drugs, corruption, separatism and the struggling economy. Bureau Report