Arroyo grabs early poll lead in Philippines

PHILIPPINE President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took the lead in early election returns yesterday and a nationwide poll predicted she would win, but rumblings of trouble emerged as her movie star opponent said he believed he was being cheated.

Fernando Poe Jnr urged his supporters to demonstrate in Manila to "remain firm in our belief in the truth that victory is ours."

About 3,000 people gathered in the evening, singing, "FPJ, the hope of the nation."