Philippine election candidate warns of protests

A new “people power” revolt will erupt in the Philippines if movie star Fernando Poe Jr loses the presidential election through fraud, his party warned today – fighting words in a nation where popular protests have knocked two leaders out of office.

Even though official results are not expected for weeks, a confident President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo called a Cabinet meeting to start delivering on her campaign promises.

Poe, an action film star and political novice, has taken an early lead over Arroyo in a “quick count” from Monday’s election.

But a respected independent pollster said Arroyo is likely to win by about nine percentage points.

With both sides coming close to claiming victory after a bitterly fought contest, some kind of confrontation appeared likely.

Poe’s camp has alleged widespread election irregularities, and he has urged his backers to “remain firm in our belief in the truth that victory is ours”.

His KNP party said a repeat of “people power” – the mass protests that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 and President Joseph Estrada in 2001 - “will surely come out” if the vote count is tainted with fraud.

It also claimed turnout was much lower than the 80% cited by the National Commission on Elections to pave the way for 2.4 million extra ballots that the KNP claims the government printed to facilitate fraud.

Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye denied any cheating.

“We believe in clean, honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” Bunye said. “Let us leave all electoral matters in the hands of the electoral body and let it finish its job.”

The Philippine military has warned against any violence or massive protests, saying troops would use “necessary force” to maintain order if losing parties try to stir up trouble.