Fresh statements by aides and allies of President Fidel Ramos have again raised suspicions that, despite his denials, he is behind the efforts to amend the constitution to allow him a second term.
Last Tuesday, in a speech before businessmen, National Security Adviser Jose Almonte argued the need for allowing Mr Ramos a second term. 'Can we really do without President Ramos at this time?' he asked rhetorically.
He said that, in the Philippines, 'the character of the president is the crucial component in national success or failure . . . it isn't so strange that people should want Mr Ramos to stand for a second term'.
Mr Almonte said that a 'people's initiative' to amend the constitution should not be seen as a sinister government plot, insisting that the people behind the initiative were 'exercising their sovereign right'.
Mr Ramos ends his six-year term next year and cannot seek re-election. A group of private organisations claims to have collected the signatures of six million people who want a plebiscite on the question of whether the constitution should be amended to allow the president a second term.
Though Mr Ramos has repeatedly stated he will quit next year, his opponents claim he is in fact orchestrating the ongoing people's initiative, and moves to postpone next year's elections and give all elected officials a three-year extension.