Anti-Arroyo forces say to hold large protest

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5884448&cKey=1119268283000

MANILA (Reuters) - Leftist activists, church-backed groups and opposition leaders said on Monday they would clog the Philippine capital with thousands of protesters later this week to raise pressure on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to break her silence on poll fraud allegations.

Arroyo, whose ratings are at record lows, has declined to say whether it is her voice on recordings of a telephone conversation which the opposition says bolsters its claims she cheated her way to victory in last year's elections.

In Hong Kong, Arroyo addressed the topic for the first time in two weeks, saying she "will make the appropriate statements on the issues at the appropriate time."

The scandal, which follows allegations Arroyo's family members took illegal gambling payoffs, has sparked rumors of coup attempts and mass protests that have unnerved investors and helped to send the peso to a five-month low against the dollar.

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