San Juan, Puerto Rico (CNN) As thousands of people crowded the streets calling for Gov. Ricardo Rosselló to step down, the president of Puerto Rico's House of Representatives created a special committee on Friday to advise him on whether the governor committed impeachable offenses.

The committee's formation comes after days of protests, sparked in part by the leaks of offensive private chat messages between the US territory's governor and his inner circle, while the island has battled high poverty rates, crushing government debt and a painful recovery from 2017's devastating Hurricane Maria.

The impeachment research committee includes three attorneys who will have 10 days to provide a detailed report to Carlos "Johnny" Méndez, according to a news release from the House leader's spokesman, Raúl Colón.

The committee will evaluate the content of leaked messages between Rosselló and Cabinet members and determine if there's proof Rosselló committed a crime, Méndez said.

"We are here to order this evaluation, one that will be transparent and responsible," he said. "I thank this group of lawyers for giving a step forward in this historic moment for Puerto Rico. We will thoroughly evaluate the conclusions of this committee so we can proceed."

leaked chats from the governor's private Telegram Messenger group in which he and 11 top aides and Cabinet members exchanged profanity-laced, The chaos in Puerto Rico follows the Center for Investigative Journalism's publication of nearly 900 pages ofleaked chats from the governor's private Telegram Messenger group in which he and 11 top aides and Cabinet members exchanged profanity-laced, homophobic and misogynistic messages about fellow politicians, members of the media and celebrities. In one, the former chief financial officer appeared to joke about those who died in Maria.

While Rosselló has refused to step down, two Cabinet members who participated in the chats resigned July 13. And on Friday, one of his aides -- press secretary Dennise Peréz -- also stepped down.

In her resignation letter, Peréz lamented that someone had called her corrupt in front of her son.

"While holding my head high and my family close, I thought I could go through anything and continued doing my job professionally, just how I have been for the last 20 years," she said. "Like you are aware, this week, a citizen, without any consideration, called me corrupt and did it in front of my son. This is where I draw the line."

The leak came the same week that two former officials from Rosselló's administration were arrested by the FBI as part of a federal corruption investigation.

'You left us to die'

Thousands of protesters gathered Friday night in the capital of San Juan calling for Rosselló's resignation.

Layzne Alvez told CNN the territory's government had been "left to run wild with our economy, with our money, with all the federal funds the government are sending here." She added that Puerto Ricans weren't a violent people so they did not plan to bring Rosselló down by force.

"We are going to stay here no matter what," Alvez said. "We are going to force our local leaders, representatives, senators, whoever we need to, to get him out. We are going to stay here."

Protesters took to the streets of San Juan on Friday night.

Protesters have jammed the streets of San Juan over the last several days. Hundreds gathered in front of the Capitol on Wednesday and marched to the governor's mansion, playing tambourines and banging on pots and pans. At times police have fired canisters of tear gas into the crowds.

"Unfortunately, there is always corruption in the government," said Pamela Calderón, the owner of a small restaurant on Calle San Jose. "But with the publication of the chats, people in Puerto Rico saw how the corruption affected the response to the hurricane. There's a sense of, 'You left us to die.'"

"There are still people without electricity or a roof," she added. "There is a perception of being abandoned by the government, a lack of planning, and the inept way government managed the crisis."

The scandal made people snap out of their complacency, a restaurant manager in Old San Juan said.

"We usually wait for things to take their course," Jose Ramos said. "But this will not get resolved without pressure."

Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters celebrate in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, after Gov. Ricardo Rosselló announced that he will resign. Hide Caption 1 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Puerto Ricans wave flags in celebration of Rosselló's resignation. Hide Caption 2 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Demonstrators react in front of the governor's mansion, known as La Fortaleza. Hide Caption 3 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation People in the crowd hold flowers and flags outside the governor's mansion. Hide Caption 4 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A demonstrator rejoices after Rosselló announced his resignation. Hide Caption 5 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Jubilant demonstrators are seen in the streets of Old San Juan. Hide Caption 6 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A woman celebrates near La Fortaleza. Hide Caption 7 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A Puerto Rican man cheers after the resignation of Rosselló. Hide Caption 8 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A demonstrator listens to Rosselló's resignation message on a cell phone. Hide Caption 9 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters rally in San Juan on Wednesday, July 24. Hide Caption 10 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Demonstrators react Tuesday, July 23, upon hearing reports that Rosselló would step down. Hide Caption 11 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Police clash with protesters during demonstrations against Rosselló on Monday, July 22. The protests continued into Tuesday morning. Hide Caption 12 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A protester throws a tear gas canister toward police in San Juan. Hide Caption 13 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A protester reacts to tear gas outside the governor's mansion. Hide Caption 14 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters run away from tear gas near the governor's mansion. Hide Caption 15 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A line of police moves toward demonstrators. Hide Caption 16 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A woman confronts police in riot gear. Hide Caption 17 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters disperse in a cloud of tear gas. Hide Caption 18 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation People hold up their phones during the rally outside the governor's mansion. Hide Caption 19 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters demonstrate near a police barricade set up along a street leading to the governor's mansion. Hide Caption 20 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation This aerial view, taken from a drone, shows protesters on the Expreso Las Americas highway on Monday. Hide Caption 21 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation People join the rally against Rosselló on Monday. Hide Caption 22 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A masked man protests in San Juan. Hide Caption 23 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters block the way to Rosselló's residence on Monday. Hide Caption 24 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin, waving a rainbow flag, joins the protests on Monday. Members of the group chat that Rosselló took part in made vulgar references to the star's sexuality. Hide Caption 25 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Puerto Ricans in San Juan demand Rosselló's resignation on Monday. Hide Caption 26 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters attach a banner to a highway sign. Hide Caption 27 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Singer Daddy Yankee, in the flag shirt, attends the rally on Monday. Hide Caption 28 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A woman is assisted in the streets after demonstrators clashed with police on Wednesday, July 17. Hide Caption 29 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Police fire tear gas at demonstrators on July 17. Hide Caption 30 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Police officers search the bag of a detained demonstrator on July 17. Hide Caption 31 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Rosselló defended the actions of police and accused protesters of unleashing tear gas and setting fires during demonstrations. Hide Caption 32 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Thousands of demonstrators protest in front of the governor's mansion on July 17. Hide Caption 33 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A protester reacts after being sprayed by tear gas in San Juan. Hide Caption 34 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Rapper Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, known by his stage name Bad Bunny, holds a Puerto Rican flag before a march on July 17. Hide Caption 35 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Ricky Martin holds a microphone during the march on July 17. At right is rapper Rene Perez, aka Residente. Hide Caption 36 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation People gather to demand Rosselló's resignation on July 17. Hide Caption 37 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Police block the street leading to the governor's mansion on Tuesday, July 16. Hide Caption 38 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Rosselló attends a news conference in San Juan on July 16. Hide Caption 39 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters gather near the executive mansion on Monday, July 15. Hide Caption 40 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Demonstrators cover their mouths with duct tape that says "resignation" in Spanish. Hide Caption 41 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Protesters take to the streets of San Juan on July 15. Hide Caption 42 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation A police officer blocks protesters from reaching the governor's residence on Sunday, July 14. Hide Caption 43 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Police block the street leading to the governor's mansion on July 14. Hide Caption 44 of 45 Photos: In pictures: Puerto Ricans celebrate governor's resignation Demonstrators hold signs that say "Corruption is violence" and "Ricky resign" while protesting near the executive mansion on Thursday, July 11. Hide Caption 45 of 45

Politicians from both sides of the aisle are calling for Rosselló's resignation.

said "It's time for the governor to have an orderly transition of government so that this doesn't continue affecting us in DC as it pertains to obtaining federal funds for the island,"said Jenniffer González , Puerto Rico's nonvoting representative in the US Congress, known as the resident commissioner. "The disbursement of funds to the island will obviously suffer dramatically if he remains on the position."

US Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has called on Rosselló to resign, and she traveled to Puerto Rico late this week. She was in Old San Juan on Friday night "to stand with the people of Puerto Rico against corruption," she wrote on Facebook.

Hawaii and Puerto Rico "share many of the same experiences and stories," she wrote on Twitter

"I stand with Puerto Ricans demanding change, who have had enough of government corruption, and who deserve a government of, by, and FOR the people. El pueblo unido jamás será vencido. #RickyRenuncia," Gabbard tweeted.

Hawaii and Puerto Rico share many of the same experiences and stories. I stand with Puerto Ricans demanding change, who have had enough of government corruption, and who deserve a government of, by, and FOR the people. El pueblo unido jamás será vencido. #RickyRenuncia pic.twitter.com/6flI25WJfv — Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) July 19, 2019

US Sen. Rick Scott of Florida, a Republican, also said in a tweet that Rosselló should step down.

"I've long advocated for the families of Puerto Rico. I've pledged to be their voice in the Senate. While I've been hesitant to weigh in too heavily on the internal political affairs of the island, it's clear that the current leadership has lost the confidence of the people of PR," Scott tweeted. "The island deserves new leadership."

Protesters have been joined by some of Puerto Rico's biggest stars, including reggaeton star Bad Bunny, rapper René Pérez Joglar and singer and actor Ricky Martin, one of the targets of leaked homophobic messages. And similar demonstrations have taken place on the US mainland in cities like Miami and Orlando, Florida.

"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and former New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito attended protests at New York's Union Square.

"I'm so numb from politics in America. But the people of Puerto Rico are numb, and they are waking us all up. I'm going to have their backs," Miranda told CNN.

Governor not considering resigning

Puerto Rico's Justice Department has issued summonses for everyone involved in the private chat group. They will be ordered to appear before Justice Department officials to have their phones inspected, department spokeswoman Mariana Cobian said.

Through it all, Rosselló has refused to step down, and on Friday his official Instagram account shared images of the governor at work , as if it were a typical day for his administration.

Rosselló "is not considering resignation," Public Affairs Secretary Anthony Maceira said Friday morning.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Rosselló said he would continue to work toward regaining the Puerto Rican people's trust.

"I recognize the challenge that I have before me because of the recent controversies, but I firmly believe that it is possible to restore confidence and that we will be able, after this painful process, to achieve reconciliation," he said.

But the calls for his ouster have yet to die down.

"He's still holding onto power, we don't want him any more here," said Alvez, the protester. "He says we voted for him, so that's why he's staying in power, but we don't want you anymore, I don't know how you don't get this. We don't care if some people voted for you, we don't care if the whole island voted for you."

González, the island's resident commissioner, said in a letter to the governor that the protests and scandal have painted "a lawless Puerto Rico for the rest of the world."

"It is time to give stability to Puerto Rico so that we can continue the reconstruction that was planned before the events of the last weeks and return the credibility of the government of Puerto Rico within the Federal Capital, the financial markets, tourism and the whole world," González wrote.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled the name of Jenniffer González, Puerto Rico's resident commissioner in Washington.