Shamed Philippines President Joseph Estrada was free today for the first time in more than six years after his successor pardoned him from a life sentence for corruption.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had lunch with steel workers on Monday to mark Labour Day as the country’s rapidly expanding economy faces a growing shortage or skilled staff.

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced she had quashed a coup plot today and declared a state of emergency, gambling that the backlash wouldn’t leave her crippled.

The Philippine military has crippled a suspected coup plot by identifying and investigating 14 officers who were allegedly involved, the army chief said today.

OPPOSITION lawmakers in the Philippine parliament filed impeachment proceedings yesterday against President Gloria Arroyo, accusing her of vote-rigging and other allegations.

Opposition groups seeking to oust President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on vote-rigging allegations today said they would consider impeachment when Congress convenes next week, as two more of her close aides announced their resignations.

Thousands of Filipinos bid farewell today to the late Roman Catholic Cardinal Jaime Sin, a beloved spiritual leader who helped rally his nation to hold massive pro-democracy protests that ousted two presidents.

Security forces in the Philippines were on red alert today as President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared she had a new mandate to govern after the final election tally showed her winning by 1.1m votes.

A new “people power” revolt will erupt in the Philippines if movie star Fernando Poe Jr loses the presidential election through fraud, his party warned today – fighting words in a nation where popular protests have knocked two leaders out of office.

Filipinos voted for president today amid high security and reports of scattered violence in a race pitting an incumbent who strongly backs the US war on terror against a film star whose best friend lost the job in disgrace three years ago.

CARDINAL JAIME SIN, an outspoken cleric who helped topple Philippine leaders, but alienated some of the faithful with frequent forays into politics, is retiring at 75 with the Vatican's blessing.

Police in the Philippines today arrested a key aide of disgraced former President Joseph Estrada over allegations of involvement in a mutiny by renegade troops.

Former President Joseph Estrada will become the first Philippines leader to face trial when he goes before a judge on Monday charged with plundering the economy - an offence that carries a maximum penalty of death.

The two largest parties in Indonesia’s national assembly, which combined represent a majority of MPs, were today demanding that President Abdurrahman Wahid be dismissed and replaced immediately by Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Ousted Philippines President Joseph Estrada faces the death penalty after arraigned today for economic plunder.

A judge ordered former Philippines President Joseph Estrada to be arraigned today for perjury, rejecting a last-minute bid by his lawyers to have the charge thrown out and stirring fears his supporters could cause trouble.

A Philippines' court has rejected a police petition to hold ousted President Joseph Estrada's corruption trial in a military hospital due to security concerns.

As the Philippines Government stepped up its battle with Muslim rebel hostage-takers today, the military said it found two bodies in guerrilla territory, but neither belonged to the American captive the insurgents claim to have beheaded.

An explosion at a political rally in the home town of jailed former Philippines President Joseph Estrada has left 12 people injured, one seriously.

Manila residents awoke under a ‘‘state of rebellion’’ today, more stunned than reassured after Philippines police quelled riots that left at least six dead.

A special anti-corruption court in the Philippines capital of Manila today issued an arrest warrant Monday for ousted President Joseph Estrada.

A wealthy businessman has agreed to testify in the corruption investigation of ousted Philippines President Joseph Estrada.

Prosecutors said today they were investigating former Philippine President Joseph Estrada for allegedly plundering millions while in office.

Four tanks have reportedly entered the Philippine presidential palace as fears of a coup grip the country.

President Joseph Estrada's mistresses have fled the Philippines to avoid appearing at his impeachment trial.