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MANILA : In the Philippines, there's talk that mounting calls for President Gloria Arroyo to resign might lead to another people power revolution.
Growing outrage among middle class Filipinos over a corruption scandal on a telecoms deal that broke out last year, as well as a call for communal action by the influential Catholic Church, were the main reasons behind the rallies against President Arroyo.
A series of masses has been held in different universities to call for Mrs Arroyo's resignation. These are events reminiscent of the people power uprising.
The Roman Catholic Church has proven to be a powerful catalyst in driving revolutions in the past. It was the church-led People Power Revolution in 1986 that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and it was also the church that urged the Filipino faithful to oust then-president Joseph Estrada in 2001. Seven years after, analysts said another Philippine president might suffer the same fate.
Said Ramon Casiple, Executive Director, Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms: "The church is taking a lead role which we have not seen in the whole period of the GMA crisis. The church is increasingly willing to go out on a limb for this one. The pressure is piling up and as the momentum becomes clearer, we will see more institutional positioning from the church.
"They have the moral influence among all sectors of the people and that is one institution that everyone in Malacanang is afraid of because it is the only institution apart from government that has a connection to the lowest in society."
Even former president Corazon Aquino, who rose to power in 1986 after president Marcos was ousted, has called on the public to show their indignation against the scandal-ridden Arroyo administration.
Mrs Aquino believes that another People Power Revolution is possible, if everyone would pray.
"Without prayers, we will not be able to accomplish what we did. An enlightened citizenry will be able to do a lot more to the country," said Mrs Aquino.
Adding to the problems of President Arroyo is the growing division in the military and her allies.
"If there's really a change in the balance of forces, the military will not go out on a limb for Gloria (Arroyo). I don't think the whole military establishment is a solid one for Gloria (Arroyo). The whole camp of Arroyo is unreliable and unstable right now. There are just too many interests that are being taken into task," said Casiple.
With the presidential elections just two years away, analysts said it will only be a matter of time before some of the president's men abandon ship. - CNA /ls
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