Estrada quits as Philippines' leader

Joseph Estrada has quit as President of the Philippines with Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being quickly sworn in.

The back-to-back developments came just minutes after protesters pushed through police lines and marched close to the presidential palace.

They were demanding the removal of the former action-film star whose political career was ruined by a corruption scandal and an unprecedented impreachment trial.

After taking the oath Mrs Macapagal-Arroyo said: "It is now, as the good book says, a time to heal and a time to build.

"The task is formidable, so I pray that we will all be one.

She took the oath of office at the monument to the 1986 "people power" revolution that toppled late dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Anti-Estrada demonstrators cheered wildly and waved flags after officials announced that Estrada had quit.

Mrs Macapagal-Arroyo had been calling herself the "new commander-in-chief" since Friday evening, after Estrada's military leaders and most of the Cabinet deserted him.

Joseph Estrada's Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara said: "We can assure the people that President Estrada accepts the decision of the Supreme Court."

It is understood that Estrada is still inside the Presidential palace, the Malacanang.