Estrada no threat to Philippines: Arroyo
REUTERS

MANILA, FEB 2: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said her predecessor Joseph Estrada posed no threat to the government despite his claim that he was still the country's ruler.

Arroyo, sworn into office on January 20 after Estrada was dismissed following a popular revolt, told a local television station late on Thursday that she had the confidence of the people.

Asked whether she saw Estrada and his allies as a threat toher government, Arroyo replied:

"I don'T think so because I already have the overwhelmingsupport of the people. I have the overwhelming support of the international community."

Estrada emerged from seclusion on Wednesday to tellhundreds of cheering supporters that he was still the President, but at the same time he renounced using violence to regain power.

Arroyo, Estrada's vice President, took power after theSupreme Court stripped him of his title, capping five days of a "people power" revolt triggered by the collapse of Estrada's impeachment trial in the Senate.

The former movie star has been accused of graft andcorruption, charges he denies.

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