Estrada trial date set

Thousands took to the streets on Tuesday

Philippine senators are debating the rules for the trial of President Joseph Estrada on bribery and corruption charges, the first such impeachment in the country's history.

Estrada says he has grass roots support

The hearing will be held in public and is set to start on 4 December. Two thirds of senators must find the president guilty to remove him from power.

Mr Estrada, a former movie star, is accused of accepting millions of dollars in pay-offs from illegal gambling operators.

The Senate has never held an impeachment hearing before and staff have been hastily drawing up draft rules based on those used in President Bill Cinton's trial in the United States.

Reports say anti-Estrada senators won two key concessions on Wednesday - the right to question witnesses themselves, and an agreement over the submission of evidence such as newspaper articles.

Mr Estrada's spokesman said on Wednesday that although the president could not be compelled to testify, he may agree to take the witness stand.

Imelda Marcos has given the president her support

The scandal blew up when a former friend of Mr Estrada accused him of pocketing more than $8m in bribes from syndicates running an illegal lottery game and $2.6m from tobacco taxes.

An unconfirmed report in the Singaporean newspaper The Straits Times said the president had used some of the money to pay media figures not to criticise his military operation against rebels holding hostages in the south of the country.

'Dirty linen'

Meanwhile, Vice-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is also facing possible impeachment proceedings in the lower house of parliament.

Traders walked off the floor to support the protest

It has been alleged that her repeated calling for Mr Estrada's resignation violates the constitution, as she would be the direct beneficiary if he were to quit.

Ms Arroyo dismissed the case as "harassment" orchestrated by the president.

And she warned that even if Mr Estrada survived the impeachment trial, his reputation would be so damaged he would be unfit to govern.

"How long will his dirty linen be hanging in our windows?" she added.

Online petition

The scandal has wreaked havoc with the Philippine economy and triggered repeated calls for Mr Estrada to step down.

More than 100,000 protesters, including financial traders and businessmen, marched on Tuesday in support of a general strike to demand his resignation.

Outside the stock exchange, some protesters signed an electronic petition using their mobile phones. Vicente Romano, who has set up a website petition demanding Mr Estrada step down, says he has collected 91,000 ''signatures''.

Mr Estrada has insisted he is innocent and will not resign. He says he has grassroots support. A recent poll showed 56% of Filipinos still "like" him.