Manila's Arroyo vows clean and peaceful election

MANILA, Jan 29 (Reuters) Heeding calls by powerful Catholic bishops for fraud-free balloting, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo vowed today to hold ''clean and peaceful'' congressional and local elections on May 14.

Arroyo also invited the bishops to join a four-party meeting with the election commission, the national police and citizens' poll watchdog groups to draw up a plan to prevent fraud, violence and check on illegal spending.

''Part of our quest to join the ranks of the first world in 20 years is to clean up the polls and let everyone take the first step forward,'' Arroyo said in a statement.

''The bishops and I are on one track for clean and peaceful elections, and the administration will continue to work with all institutions and sectors to see that this happens.'' The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday called on the faithful to protect ballots and help stop fraud and violence that might plunge the country into a political, economic and social crisis.

''As a nation, we cannot afford yet another controversial electoral exercise that further aggravates social distrust and hopelessness,'' Angel Lagdameo, Archbishop of Jaro and CBCP president, said in a pastoral letter.

''Many of our current political problems, which have hindered fuller economic development and social justice, especially for the poor, can be traced to unresolved questions concerning the conduct of past elections.'' The bishops were referring to Arroyo's election victory in the 2004 presidential elections which was marred by allegations of poll fraud after a recorded phone conversation between her and an elections body official surfaced, suggesting vote-rigging.

Arroyo said the telephone call was a lapse in judgment but denied any rigging in the elections.

The bishops said the elections in May could provide closure to the controversy because many viewed the balloting would serve as a referendum on Arroyo's leadership.

Half of the 24 seats in the Senate, all 260 slots in the House of Representatives and more than 17,000 posts in local governments, from governors down to city and municipal councils would be at stake.

Political analysts say the elections would be important for Arroyo because if the opposition wins just a third of the seats in the lower house of Congress, she could be impeached when the legislature reconvenes in July.

An impeachment trial would then be held by the upper house, the Senate, and the president can be removed from office if a two-thirds majority of the Senate votes for the move.

Arroyo has survived two impeachment votes in the House of Representatives in 2005 and 2006 because her allies and supporters held an overwhelming majority.

''Arroyo's survival hinges on this election,'' Earl Parreno, a political analyst of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms, told Reuters.

''This would be doubly important for her because her policies and programmes would not only be at stake, but her own political career as well. If her political foes get the majority in the lower house, then she faces an impeachment.'' REUTERS BDP BD1442