The communist-led National Democratic Front (NDF) last week warned that the Arroyo government is reportedly laying the groundwork for its continued stay in power beyond June 30.

NDF spokesman for Mindanao Jorge Madlos, a.k.a. Ka Oris, said in an e-mailed statement that the “declaration placing the whole island of Mindanao under a ‘state of calamity’ and the recent Supreme Court decision allowing GMA to appoint the next Chief Justice are but only two among the many measures that prepare the stage for the US-Arroyo regime’s continued hold on power.”

Ka Oris said these recent developments “should be viewed in the context of a regime that is insatiable in perpetuating itself in power.”

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ends her term on June 30 when a new president shall be sworn in.

She has filed her certificate of candidacy in her home province of Pampanga where she is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

Rumors of a possible Arroyo holdover in power continue to abound as only days ago, Philippine National Police director general Jesus Versoza publicly declared he will not support any move to install Arroyo as holdover president in the event of a failure in the May 10 elections.

This was followed by assurances from top military generals that they will not obey unlawful orders even from the president.

“The National Democratic Front in Mindanao (NDF-Mindanao) holds that there is an abundance of reason to believe that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo does not intend to relinquish the power,” Ka Oris further said in his statement.

“A victory for (administration bet) Gilbert Teodoro and Arroyo loyalist congressional candidates in the May 10 polls would spell victory for GMA, for they can easily amend the constitution and install GMA as prime minister.” 

Spokespersons from Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the president, however shot down fears of Arroyo staying beyond her term of office.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas said over the weekend that Arroyo “will definitely step down from office after June 30.”

Planas was however earlier quoted that a military junta could take over government in case a power vacuum occurs as a result of an election failure.

The NDF believes that the Arroyo government will take advantage of the ongoing power crisis in Mindanao and elsewhere in the country to manipulate the results of election.

Ka Oris said, in any case, the government could also declare a massive failure in the election paving the way for Arroyo’s continued stay in power.

“An Arroyo-handpicked Supreme Court chief, together with justices who are toady to the Arroyo government, would be needed to resolve all major legal issues directed to favor the grand design for her to stay in power,” the NDF spokesman said.

The Supreme Court recently voted to uphold Arroyo’s executive power to appoint the next Supreme Court chief justice even though the Constitution bans appointment by the president during the election period. 

Current Chief Justice Reynato Puno is set to retire on May 17.

The election period will not end until the new president is sworn into office.