Rally calls for Philippines Arroyo to quit

MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 29 (UPI) -- Thousands rallied in Manila Friday in a religion-tinged protest calling for Philippines President Gloria de Arroyo to resign, it was reported.

Former presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada participated in the rally, which featured confetti pouring from buildings, Catholic priests praying the rosary and students yelling "fight for truth," The Philippine Star reported.

The former presidents called on the peaceful crowd, estimated by police at 13,000 to 15,000, to pray for government accountability following allegations of scandals within the Arroyo administration, the Star reported.

Estrada called Aquino "a symbol of democracy" and voiced his support for government change. Aquino said she would continue to be involved in rallies and prayer assemblies.

Accompanying Estrado and Aquino was Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada Jr., who has alleged a kickback scheme in the now-defunct $330 million national broadband project.

Lorelei Fajardo, a deputy presidential spokeswoman, called it "disturbing" that Arroyo opponent Lozada "publicly called on the people to remove hatred and anger in the hearts of his listening public" only to continue "to spread his vile lies and innuendos."