At a court hearing in Manila Thursday, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez accused several opposition politicians of inciting 50,000 Estrada backers to storm the presidential palace Tuesday. Mr. Perez said the unnamed opposition leaders were attempting to install Senator Juan Ponce Enrile as president. The senator was one of 11 suspects arrested after police dispersed the demonstrators in front of the presidential palace. Thursday's court hearing was called to hear a legal challenge to the state of rebellion declared by Ms. Arroyo earlier this week. The declaration allows the government to detain people without an arrest warrant.
Opponents say it is unconstitutional.
The high court has not yet issued a ruling. Mr. Estrada is in a Manila prison, awaiting trial on charges that he pocketed millions of dollars in bribes during his presidency. He denies the charges. In another development, electoral officials in the Philippines say the country's May 14 Senate elections will go on as scheduled despite the violence.