Philippine president turns down proposal of shortened term
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-01-10 16:36

The Philippine government Tuesday turned down the proposal raised by former President Fidel Ramos that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should resign in 2007 as part of the Constitutional reforms.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said in a statement that President Arroyo would stay in power until 2010 unless a new Constitution would require her to resign.

"President Arroyo sincerely appreciates the fact that former president Ramos supports her in the full range of nation building efforts. But the President was elected to serve the country until 2010 and no one can take the mandate from her except the sovereign people through constitutionally sanctioned means," Bunye said.

Former President Ramos earlier assured the government that he would not join the opposition to oust President Arroyo but called on her to make sacrifice for the Charter Change and shorten her presidency until June 30, 2007 before deciding whether she would run for a seat in the Parliament.

However, Bunye said that talks about cutting short the President's term was "premature."

President Arroyo's administration has already set in motion the political process to assess the sentiments of the people, referring to the forthcoming meeting of the Council of State on January 24, the proposed Constitutional change through a constituent assembly, and peoples' initiative, Bunye said.

"We simply have to follow the process and the train of these events to know and act upon the genuine sentiments and expectations of the people," he said.

Through her spokesman, President Arroyo conveyed her sincere appreciation to Ramos for his support for her nation building efforts and acknowledged the former president's strong views on national interests.

"We also know that he is an eminent leader who stands for the rule of law and the democratic process," he added.