The president of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, has sacked the government's chief lawyer, who earlier this week urged the Supreme Court to set aside a twelve year jail sentence against Imelda Marcos, the widow of the late President Marcos.

President Ramos ordered the Solicitor General, Romeo de la Cruz, to resign next Monday.

June 8th Mr de la Cruz said Mrs Marcos should be acquitted of her conviction for corruption in 1993 because there was a lack of evidence.

Correspondents say his recommendation outraged many people in the Philippines who believe the Marcos family stole billions of dollars from state funds.