Estrada tries to ride out storm

Cardinal Sin: Called on protestors to form a human chain

Philippine President Joseph Estrada has moved to defuse opposition anger at the collapse of his impeachment trial.

Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado said that the president had been busy meeting key advisers and had called for "maximum tolerance" in dealing with opposition protests in the capital, Manila, now entering their second day.

Prosecution seats lie empty

The trial was thrown into disarray on Tuesday after senators - who are acting as judges in the trial - decided to bar the inspection of the president's bank accounts.

The entire prosecution team, as well as the Senate president resigned over the decision.

Protests

The country's military commander, General Angelo Reyes, has warned that firm action will be taken against anyone trying to exploit the situation for political ends.

Estrada has denied the charges of bribery and corruption

The protests, held in some provincial cities as well as Manila, are being backed by the powerful Roman Catholic Church.

Some opposition leaders have called for a repeat of the 1986 People Power revolution which ousted the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Thousands have gathered outside the Edsa Shrine, a monument to that uprising.

Correspondents say that now that the president's opponents have abandoned their legal challenge, they are hoping that street protests will persuade him to step down.

The leader of the country's Roman Catholic church said the protests would be stepped up.

Cardinal Jaime Sin said he would hold mass at 1800 (0900 GMT) and urged protesters to form a human chain from the Edsa Shrine to another monument 10km (six miles) away.

Estrada still popular

The trial has sharply divided the country.

Despite the strong allegations of corruption made in the proceedings, the president has maintained his popularity among the poor, who remember him as a popular film star.

The protests are still a largely middle class phenomenon.

The BBC's South-east Asia correspondent, Jonathan Head, says that until that changes, Mr Estrada will probably resist the calls for him to step down.

The financial markets have reacted badly to the political situation.

The Philippine peso fell sharply on Wednesday to a new record low of 55.75 against the dollar.