Church opposes second Ramos term

Church opposes second Ramos term

MANILA (Reuter): The Philippines' powerful Roman Catholic Church yesterday attacked moves to extend President Fidel Ramos' term in office, warning it could provoke street demonstrations, endanger the economy and destabilize the nation.

In a letter read in churches nationwide, the country's more than 100 Catholic bishops opposed the calling of a plebiscite to allow Ramos to run for re-election, and said an extended Ramos term had raised popular fears of a return of authoritarian rule.

"Have we become so poor and so dependent on one man that we can no longer continue with our progress unless he remains as president?" asked the letter issued by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

The constitution, in reaction to the late Ferdinand Marcos's 20-year rule, limits a president to only one term of six years.

Ramos, elected in 1992, has repeatedly said he will step down when his term ends in June 1998.