By Marco Bello
SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of people filled San Juan streets on Monday to demand that Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló resign over offensive chat messages, the latest scandal to hit a bankrupt island struggling to recover from deadly 2017 hurricanes.
Rosselló's announcement on Sunday that he would not seek re-election next year and would step down as head of the New Progressive (NYSE:PGR) Party seemed to have little effect on the crowds, who called for him to immediately surrender the governorship. The island's largest newspaper on Monday called on the first-term governor to leave office.
Crowds of people, many dressed in black T-shirts and waving the U.S. island territory's flag, filled a major highway in San Juan in the latest in a series of more than a week of sometimes violent protests in the capital and elsewhere.
"They can't deny it: The power is in the street," San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz wrote in a Twitter message on Monday.
"These governments are corrupt governments," said Martin Gonzalez, who joined Monday's march. "The people must make themselves be respected. And we take to the streets to be respected."
Rosselló, 40, asked for forgiveness and said he respected the wishes of Puerto Ricans in a message broadcast online on Sunday.
"I know that apologizing is not enough," Rosselló said in a video posted on Facebook (NASDAQ:FB). "A significant sector of the population has been protesting for days. I'm aware of the dissatisfaction and discomfort they feel. Only my work will help restore the trust of these sectors."
The publication on July 13 of sexist and homophobic chat messages between Rosselló and top aides unleashed simmering resentment over his handling of devastating hurricanes in 2017, alleged corruption in his administration, and the island's bankruptcy process.
The protests were also sparked by U.S. authorities' announcement of a federal indictment involving six people, including two former high-ranking Puerto Rico government officials, charged with conspiracy and other crimes in connection with millions of dollars in federal Medicaid and education funds.
Puerto Rico's largest newspaper, El Nuevo Dia, called on Rosselló to resign in an editorial published on Monday.
"Puerto Rico has spoken up, not only as a strong, broad and united voice but as the right voice," the editorial said. "With a gesture of nobility and humility, Governor, it is time to listen to the people. You have to resign."
U.S. President Donald Trump, who feuded with Rosselló in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, blasted the governor at the White House on Monday.
"He's a terrible governor," Trump said. "You have totally grossly incompetent leadership at the top of Puerto Rico."
'POWER OF THE PEOPLE'
Puerto Rico's non voting representative to the U.S. Congress as well as Democratic presidential candidates and lawmakers have called for the governor to step aside after nine days of sometimes violent protests.
Puerto Rico House Speaker Carlos Mendez, part of Rosselló's New Progressive Party, appointed an independent panel on Friday to investigate whether the chats warranted impeachment.
The political turmoil comes at a critical stage in the island's bankruptcy process as it tries to restructure some $120 billion in debt and pension obligations.
It has also raised concerns among U.S. lawmakers who are weighing the island's requests for billions of federal dollars for healthcare and work to recover from Hurricane Maria, which led to nearly 3,000 deaths.
Puerto Rican celebrities including pop singer Ricky Martin, a target of the governor's chats, meringue singer Olga Tañón and rapper Bad Bunny joined the protest crowds.
"I want to feel the power of the people," Martin, 47, said in a Facebook video, urging legislative leaders to start an impeachment process.