Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, while demanding the island's governor to step down.  

The protest happened a day after governor Ricardo Rossello said he would not seek the 2020 re-election but refused to resign.  

The embattled governor plans to leave the office next year, and resign as the head of his New Progressive Party (PNP) for now and work till the end of his term in January 2021.  

But demonstrators demanded him to leave the post immediately after a series of offensive text messages exchanged between him and the top aides were leaked last week.

The leaked chat message showed homophobic slurs and insulting remarks Rossello made toward people who died in the 2017 Hurricane Maria.  

"I know that apologizing is not enough," Rossello said in a video posted on Facebook, adding that he was aware of the ongoing protests and the dissatisfaction and discomfort people have.  

"Only my work will help restore the trust of these sectors," said Rossello.  

His comments drew outrage from many Puerto Ricans, with social media videos showing San Juan residents leaning out of apartment windows banging pots and pans in the third day of so-called "cacerolazo" protests. 

A Monday morning footage showed more people joining those street protesters who were already there ready for therally in the hot July summer day.  

The July 13 publication of Rossello's sexist and homophobic chat messages unleashed simmering resentment over his handling of devastating 2017 hurricanes, alleged corruption in his administration and the island's bankruptcy process. 

"#ResignRicky isn't just a call for him to resign from the party, but from his seat as the top official," tweeted Linda Michelle, an industrial engineer, and Puerto Rico radio personality. "Whoever wasn't sure about going to the march tomorrow has now made up their mind to go." 

Power of 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. 

"Once again: Rosselló must resign," tweeted U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in response to his video. 

But Puerto Rico's Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, who may take over leadership of the pro-statehood PNP, said Rossello's actions "put an end to part of the controversies and trauma hitting our people." 

Puerto Rico House Speaker Carlos Mendez, also of the PNP, appointed an independent panel on Friday to investigate whether the chats warranted impeachment. 

"I welcome the process started by the legislative assembly, which I will confront with complete truth," Rossello said in the video. 

The political turmoil comes at a critical stage in the U.S. territory's bankruptcy process as it tries to restructure around 120 billion U.S. dollars 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. 

Opposing Rossello is a raft of Puerto Rican celebrities ranging from singer Ricky Martin and rapper Bad Bunny to "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.

(With input from agencies)