Bishops reluctant to demand Arroyo exit

Catholic bishops appeared to be retreating on Saturday from joining the chorus calling on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to resign, giving the embattled Philippine president at least a temporary respite.

Earlier reports had suggested the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines would call for her resignation during its weekend meeting.

Joselito Zulueta, a writer on Church affairs, said to Reuters the bishops were likely to reiterate calls for the allegations against the president to be fully investigated but would stop short of urging her to quit. Based on my contacts, theyีre not going to ask her to resign, not now. They feel that the materials against the president are tainted materials, that they are basically politically motivated.

A statement, which has already gone through three drafts would likely be issued on Sunday, conference sources say.

Arroyo, whose term runs until 2010, faces allegations she tried to influence the vote count in last yearีs presidential election and that members of her family took kickbacks from illegal gambling.

She has apologised for a lapse in judgement for talking to an election official last year while the presidential vote was being counted, but has denied any wrongdoing.

Fears of military intervention always bubble up in times of political stress in a country that has seen a dozen attempted coups over the past two decades.

But the military, which on Friday warned officers against getting involved in the crisis, issued a statement on Saturday asking าall sectors of society to refrain from calling on the (armed forces) to take sides.

Arroyo adamantly refuses to follow in the footsteps of her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, and be forced from office. Estrada's fate he is still under house arrest more than four years after his overthrow while he stands trial for economic plunderำ is clearly a deterrent to giving in.