MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday that a military takeover in case of a failure of the May 10 elections is impossible, downplaying a scenario floated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's spokesperson.

"That's impossible. We do not think about that," AFP spokesman Lt. Col. Arnulfo Burgos said, reiterating AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Delfin Bangit's assurance that the military's focus is "to have credible elections to make sure such a thing never happens."

Burgos said the military would always "let the voice of the people prevail."

Charito Planas, deputy presidential spokesperson, told reporters Friday that a military takeover is more likely than insinuations that President Arroyo may insist to act as a holdover president in case of a failure of proclamation of a new president by June 30 because of a massive failure of elections.

"Maaaring ang military ang mag-takeover. Maaari iyan. Maaari as military juntas have taken over in several countries especially in Southeast Asia," Planas said when reminded by reporters that all top positions in the government from the presidency to the speakership of the House of Representatives would be left vacant in case a new president is not proclaimed by June 30.

No legal basis to take over

Planas said that even Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who is seeking re-election and is second in the line of succession following Vice-President Noli De Castro, has floated the idea of a possible military takeover.

In a separate ABS-CBN News interview, Enrile said Planas misinterpreted his earlier statement about a military junta.

He said the military can't take over because it is headed by a person "under civilian authority."

Enrile added that even if the presidency and the other top positions in government remain vacant after President Arroyo's term ends in June 30, the military could not legally takeover the government leadership.

He said the remaining members of President Arroyo's Cabinet can legally give orders to the military to prevent chaos, which, he said, is the only role the AFP should play in case of a massive failure of elections. -- Reports from Jay Ruiz and Sheryll Mundo, ABS-CBN News