MANILA, Philippines - To cries of ''resign,'' the House on Monday sent impeachment charges against the president to the Senate for trial, charging Joseph Estrada with taking millions of dollars in payoffs from illegal gambling.
Estrada, who has been in office for two years, welcomed the chance to clear himself in what would be the first trial for impeachment in the history of the Philippines. Although four other Philippine presidents have faced impeachment complaints, the House had never forwarded charges to the Senate.
There was no vote by the full House, as had been expected. Speaker Manuel Villar said it was unnecessary because more than the required one-third of the members signed a petition endorsing impeachment.
It was unclear whether the petition process without a vote fulfilled the legal requirements for impeachment, and Assistant Majority Leader Gilbert Teodoro said the Senate might reject the complaint because of procedural flaws.
The Senate has no impeachment rules because it has never had to hold a trial. Last week, Senate President Franklin Drilon ordered a rapid drafting of rules patterned after those used by the U.S. Senate during President Clinton's impeachment trial.
''It's now up to the Senate to start the trial,'' Villar said. ''We have indicted the president.''
Estrada supporters jeered at the decision, while Estrada foes jumped with joy, chanting ''Erap resign,'' using the president's popular nickname as a former movie action star. They embraced each other and then surged toward Villar and hugged him.
Before walking into the House chamber, opposition congressmen prayed and lit candles near a Philippine flag. They wore peach-colored ribbons to signify their struggle to impeach Estrada.
Estrada may have just enough support in the Senate to remain in office. Two-thirds of the Senate must vote for removal and the process could take months.
But Presidential Press Undersecretary Mike Toledo said: ''This development is most welcome. The president said that he wants this expedited so he would be provided a chance to air his position.''
The impeachment complaint charged Estrada with bribery for allegedly taking $200,000 a month in payoffs from illegal gambling operators; with graft and corruption for allegedly accepting $2.6 million in tobacco taxes, and with underdeclaring his personal net worth.
It also accused him of betraying the public trust in favoring friends and relatives in government contracts and investigations, and of violating the constitution in a family-controlled real estate business despite a prohibition on outside business interests while in office.
Estrada was accused last month by provincial governor Louis Singson of accepting more than $10.6 million in payoffs from illegal gambling lords and tobacco taxes. He has acknowledged being offered a $4 million bribe by Singson but insists he refused it.
A coalition of groups ranging from militant labor organizations to business associations planned a nationwide general strike Tuesday to pressure Estrada to step down.
The main index on the Philippine Stock Exchange Index plunged 2.2 percent Monday, while the peso weakened further against the dollar.
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