CABRERA, Aljen B.

Legal Research and Writing

20103940 Atty. Lopez

JOSEPH E. ESTRADA, petitioner,
vs.
ANIANO DESIERTO
G. R. No. 146710-15      March 2, 2001

FACTS:

Petitioner, Joseph Estrada and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was elected as President and Vice
President of the Republic of the Philippines on May 11, 1998. From the beginning of his term, the
petitioner, he was plagued by a plethora of problems that slowly but surely eroded his popularity. It
started on october 4, 2000, when Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, petitioner’s long-time friend
alleged the petitioner from receiving millions of pesos of Jueteng Lords.
The exposẻ immediately ignited reactions of rage. Representatives Heherson Alvarez, Ernesto
Herrera and Michael Defensor spearheaded the move to impeach the petitioner. Calls for the
resignation of the petitioner filled the air. Early on, or on October 12, respondent Arroyo resigned as
Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Services 6 and later asked for petitioner's
resignation.7 However, petitioner strenuously held on to his office and refused to resign. After a long
battle, January 20 turned to be the day of surrender. At about 12:00 noon, Chief Justice Davide
administered the oath to respondent Arroyo as President of the Philippines. 28 At 2:30 p.m., petitioner
and his family hurriedly left Malacañang Palace. He included in his letter that he is a president on
leave and that he will do this for the sake of peace and order among the Filipino people. He also
addedthat he had doubted on the legality and constitutionality of the proclamation of Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as the new president of the Republic of the Philippines.

ISSUE:

Whether or not Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a de jure president.

RULING:

YES. The Supreme Court holds that the resignation of Estrada cannot be doubted. It was
confirmed by his leaving from the Malacanang Palace. In the press release containing his final
statement, (1) he acknowledged the oath-taking of the respondent as President of the Republic albeit
with the reservation about its legality; (2) he emphasized he was leaving the Palace, the seat of
the presidency, for the sake of peace and in order to begin the healing process of our
nation. IN VIEW WHEREOF, the petitions of Joseph Ejercito Estrada challenging the respondent Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo as the de jure 14th President of the Republic are DISMISSED.