MANILA, Philippines -  A group of former top government executives criticized Monday an alleged conspiracy by the Arroyo administration to retain its influence even after the May 2010 polls.

In a statement, the Former Senior Government Officials (FSGO) warned that the continuous delays in the government's schedule for the automated elections are a threat to the people's will for an orderly election this May. It also noted that most of the present officials in the Commission on Elections were appointed by President Arroyo. 

"Deliveries, testing, calibration, validation and training for automated elections are delayed. Ballot printing is also delayed. Fears of logistical failures in providing the right set of customized ballots for each of the 1,630 towns of the country remain unresolved. Calls to prepare for a back-up manual elections are not being taken seriously," the FSGO statement said.

"Whatever the reasons might be, however the situation might actually unfold, one thing must be made clear: failure in the 2010 elections can only be a deliberate one engineered by the GMA administration that has benefited so much from such events."

The group also noted "alarming steps" by the current administration to retain undue influence beyond its tenure including the proposal to appoint a new Chief Justice within the period prohibited by the Constitution.

It said the administration could be using government resources for the election of favored candidates including Arroyo herself. The President is currently seeking a congressional seat in Pampanga, her home province.

"The orderly, peaceful and democratic transition to a new legitimate administration is in grave danger...There is only one power that can face and surmount this danger and that is the power of an aware, vigilant, organized and outraged people," the group said.