MANILA Embattled Philippine President Joseph Estrada said on Saturday he would never resign and is ready to face detractors accusing him of receiving gambling kickbacks.
Allegations linking Estrada to gambling syndicates have spurred opposition moves to impeach him and sparked calls from influential church leaders for his resignation, posing the biggest threat to his 28-month administration.
But Estrada said he had no plans to step down before his term ends in June 2004, adding that he would continue to fight for the masses who put him into power.
"You (the masses) supported me, you gave me this position so never will I resign," Estrada said in a speech at the inauguration of a government housing project.
(Reuter)