Manila expects noise, not threats from weekend rallies

MANILA, Dec 12 (Reuters) The Philippine government today brushed off fears of unrest from religious rallies this weekend when hundreds of thousands of people are expected to voice opposition to attempts to alter the political system.

Allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the lower house of Congress have stirred up a storm by attempting to shift the country to a unicameral parliamentary system by trying to change the constitution themselves.

Catholic bishops and other religious groups have called for prayer rallies to protest against the House of Representatives' move, which critics see as a bid to extend Arroyo's powers, and large crowds are expected in Manila's main park on Sunday.

''We have fears some radical groups might take advantage of the situation, but we're confident that they don't have the capability to topple the government,'' Norberto Gonzales, national security advisor, told reporters.

''They can only create noise on the streets.'' The Philippines is a mainly Catholic country and the church is a key political player but analysts do not expect Sunday's gatherings to spark a campaign to oust Arroyo, who has survived two impeachment bids and one coup attempt.

The country's small middle class -- instrumental in the overthrow of two presidents -- is fed up with domestic turbulence and, with an improving economy, shows little appetite for ousting Arroyo, despite lingering allegations of vote fraud and corruption.

''I do not hear anybody getting really angry about it. This place is funny in terms of what tips it over but Sunday is not going to be it,'' said Erin Prelypchan of Manila-based Pacific Strategies&Assessments.

GRIDLOCK Faced with powerful opposition, the lower house shelved plans to debate changing the charter this week and instead said late yesterday it would call for elections next year for delegates to a constitutional convention, which would alter the charter.

A constitutional convention, composed of legal luminaries and representatives from civil society as well as politicians, would be more palatable to opposition groups and the wider public but suspicions would still linger over the motive for charter change.

Arroyo has championed altering the political system to end gridlock between the legislative and executive branches of government and between the two houses of Congress, with the hope of faster policy-making and stronger economic growth.

But critics accuse Arroyo, due to step down in 2010, of trying to use the proposed change to extend her term in office and to get rid of the Senate, which is stacked with her enemies.

After more than a dozen coup attempts in 20 years, few would argue that the current political system works well but many analysts doubt a British-style parliamentary system would instil discipline and solve problems of corruption and cronyism.

Around 5,000 people, mainly from anti-Arroyo leftist groups, demonstrated against the House's move on Tuesday and were blocked around one kilometre (0.62 mile) from the Congress building.

Former president Corazon Aquino, an icon of the 1986 ''people power'' revolt that ousted Ferdinand Marcos, called for people to join Sunday's rally.

But the military shot down an invitation from one bishop for soldiers to attend.

''Instead of calling on us to undertake protest actions it will be better for these people to pray,'' the head of the military, General Hermogenes Esperon, said in a statement.

REUTERS SHB VV1630