Arroyo admits mid-term poll defeat

Manila: President Gloria Arroyo admitted that the ruling party could not muster a majority in the Senate race, but the "clean and honest" mid-term polls would result in political stability.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Wall Street Journal, the transcript of which was given to other media entities, Arroyo said: "I believe we will have an even bigger majority in the House and an almost complete sweep of the local chief executives."

"The national results are just beginning to be counted," said Arroyo, in reference to the start of the formal canvassing of election returns for the senatorial bets, to be done by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Exit polls after the May 14 polls showed that six opposition bets, four pro-administration candidates, and two independent candidates would win in the senatorial bet.

"The elections were good, peaceful, free and fair. There's going to be political stability," predicted Arroyo.

She survived two impeachment complaints, calls for her ouster, and one coup plot from 2005 and 2006, due to the opposition's allegation that she cheated in the 2004 presidential race. Earlier, when she took over and finished the term of the ousted President Joseph Estrada, she quelled two failed plots in 2001 and in 2003.

"We can continue on our path of economic reforms towards our pro-growth, pro-poor and pro-modernisation agenda," said Arroyo when asked about the effect of political stability on her administration.

But analysts said a majority of the opposition in the senate would perennially block her efforts to continue with her unpopular economic agenda.

Last year, the opposition in the Senate delayed the passage of the tax reform Bill, which allowed increased value added tax.

The Senate also delayed the passage of the national budget last year.

After the mid-term polls, Arroyo is expected to push for Charter change and a transition from the presidential to the parliamentary form of government, a source told Gulf News.

The implementation of charter change will be timed to take effect after the end of her term in 2010, said the same source who requested for anonymity.

Earlier, the Senate called for the election of members of the Constitutional Convention for Charter change.

At the time, the House of Representatives, where majority of Arroyo has a majority, opted for the convening of the entire Congress for Charter change.