Arroyo still shaky despite political wins

PHILIPPINES: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has gained political strength in recent weeks, analysts say, but she is unlikely to be able to translate this into extending her stay in office.

Arroyo has to leave office in 2010 under the constitution, but her allies have begun moves to amend the charter. A Senate coup last month gave her control of both houses of legislature, giving the moves fresh impetus.

Analysts say the ruling ‘Kampi’ (Filipino for ally) and ‘Lakas’ (power) parties feel they don’t have a viable presidential candidate for 2010, and are seeking the removal of term limits on elected officials to circumvent the problem.

But amending the 1987 constitution is a highly emotive issue in the Philippines and could unite the disparate opposition.

The term limits were established after the ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, who was in power for 20 years.

“The basis of our unity is the charter change issue,” Teodoro Casino, an opposition lawmaker, told Reuters, ahead of a street protest on Friday when tens of thousands of activists are set to stage a rally in Manila against moves to amend the constitution.

“It’s a gathering of the broader political spectrum to show strong national unity against the patently self-serving and anti-people agenda of Malacanang (presidential palace),” Casino said.

Arroyo, who came to power after street protests eclipsed her predecessor Joseph Estrada in 2001 and who has survived three coups and four impeachment attempts in office, however, seems unfazed by the protest plans.

She has planned an official visit to Qatar starting on Saturday and analysts have called it a change from once-skittish reactions to street protests.

In 2006, the Philippine government postponed a regional summit in the midst of anti-Arroyo protests, although the official reason given was inclement weather.

MANILA, Wednesday, Reuters