Support for Arroyo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is seriously considering a proposal by former President Fidel Ramos for her to stay on as caretaker to oversee a change to a parliamentary system, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.

The change would be followed by a referendum on a new charter and fresh elections next year.

The influential Ramos came out in support of Arroyo last week at a crucial time after the resignation of her economic managers and amid mounting calls from political and business allies for her to resign over allegations of electoral fraud.