Arroyo vows not to seek fresh term

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-29 09:33

MANILA: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, faced with the prospect of civil unrest unless she steps down at the end of her term, vowed yesterday not to try to extend her time in office.

In her last state of the nation address, Arroyo defended her record during her turbulent eight-and-a-half years in power but assured lawmakers she would not lift term limits set by the constitution.

Arroyo vowed to 'defend democracy' and complete her term in her State of the Nation address. [Agencies]

"I have never expressed the desire to extend myself beyond my term," Arroyo said. "At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage ... but not from the presidency. My term does not end until next year."

She also said she will defend democracy when threatened by violence in her last months in power - a clear warning to anyone plotting to remove her by force.

A turbulent term

The 62-year-old US-trained economist has survived four coup attempts and four impeachment bids since 2001. Her opponents have accused her of maneuvering to extend her six-year term either by amending the country's 1987 constitution to lift term limits or by imposing martial law.

Riot police used trucks, barbed wire and shipping containers to block more than 10,000 people who braved the rain to protest outside the House of Representatives, where Arroyo gave her hour-long annual speech. Protest leaders warned Arroyo of public unrest if she clings to power.

"Ms Arroyo's political maneuvers ... to perpetuate herself in power will surely face the people's wrath," said leftist Rep. Rafael Mariano, who boycotted Arroyo's speech and joined the protesters.

'Sounded like goodbye'

Opposition Rep. Roilo Golez, Arroyo's former national security advisor, said the president's promise not to extend her stay in office "may not be as categorical as some people would want it, but it sounded like goodbye."

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney also said Arroyo's address "sounded like a final" speech in Congress.

Left-wing activist and lawmaker Satur Ocampo, however, said Arroyo failed to ask her congressional allies to stop efforts to amend the constitution to extend her term. "Such uncertainty will continue to fuel protests," he said.

The rowdy demonstrators set on fire a huge effigy of Arroyo, who was depicted as a decomposing figure in a red dress atop a military tank labeled "Gloria Forever." A huge streamer read, "Gloria, you're history." Eleven priests in white cassocks held letters that formed the phrase, "Enough of GMA," Arroyo's initials.

Arroyo said her government's fiscal measures protected the country's economy from the global financial meltdown. She also praised her achievements in getting close to a balanced budget, ensuring education for all, next year's automated elections, improved infrastructure and initiating fresh peace bids with Muslim and leftist rebels.

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