Marathon to put pressure on Ramos

Marathon to put pressure on Ramos

MANILA (AFP): A Roman Catholic priest will run a 3,000
kilometer marathon across the Philippine archipelago to put
pressure on President Fidel Ramos not to run for a new term in
1998, a Manila newspaper said yesterday.

Father Roberto Reyes, 41, plans to cover the distance over two
years, starting with an 18 day, 1,000-kilometer run on the
southern island of Mindanao from Nov. 3, the Philippine Inquirer
said.

"I run for freedom, especially at a time when those who wield
political power seem not to have had enough and wish to prolong
their political Mardi Gras while the masses languish in misery,"
the daily quoted the priest as saying.

Ramos has denied he has any plans to remain in office after
June 30, 1998, noting he is barred from seeking a second term.

But his supporters have been agitating for a constitutional
amendment to remove the ban, arguing the country needs the former
general, the architect of far-reaching reforms, to sustain its
economic growth.