MANILA - President Arroyo will not intervene and ask her allies in the House of Representatives to stop pushing for Charter change (Cha-cha), which has once again sparked suspicions that she is planning to stay in power beyond 2010.

"It has been a policy of our President not to interfere with Congress on Charter change," Secretary Gabriel Claudio, Mrs. Arroyo's adviser on political affairs, told radio dzMM on Tuesday.

Claudio said that despite Mrs. Arroyo's obvious support for constitutional reforms, which she started advocating in 2004, the President has made a promise not to dictate on Congress how and when lawmakers should start talking about amendments to the Constitution.

He added that Mrs. Arroyo has also refused to talk about Cha-cha during meetings with her Cabinet and members of Lakas party.

Mrs. Arroyo's critics have accused her of masterminding Cha-cha moves in the House of Representatives, particularly the passage of House Resolution 1109, which calls for a constituent assembly to tackle proposed amendments to the Constitution.

Credibility

Meanwhile, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the public has stopped believing the promises of Mrs. Arroyo and her allies.

"That's the problem of the people in government today, credibility," Binay told radio dzMM in a separate interview.

He said the chronic broken promises of Mrs. Arroyo has made the political opposition doubtful of the present administration, particularly its assurance that the 2010 elections will push through.

"Everything is in general terms. They said there will be elections. What kind of elections?" Binay said.

Binay's group, United Opposition (UNO), will join several opposition groups in a mass protest against Cha-cha in Makati City on Wednesday night.

Organizers of the planned anti-Cha-cha protest met with Makati police and local government representatives at the Makati Ciy Hall to coordinate for an orderly and peaceful street protest.

Ayala Ave. rally

The protest action, which is scheduled to last from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be held at the corner of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenues, at the heart of the business district.

From Wednesday noon, roads leading to the intersection of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala, particularly Paseo from Buendia, Ayala up to Makati Avenue, and the stretch of Buendia up to Dela Costa, will be closed.

Among those expected to be in the rally are former Presidents Joseph Estrada and Corazon Aquino, as well as most, if not all, senators and representatives who are against the Con-ass initiative.

Also expected to attend are leaders and members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (Women), Concerned Citizens Movement, Edsa 3 Coalition, Black and White Movement, Gabriela, and youth group Kabataan.

Former vice president Teofisto Guingona is also set to participate in the demonstration along with members of the Liberal Party, Change Politics, MyErap, Akbayan, Sanlakas, Artists Revolution, Pagbabago, Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), Movement for Good Governance, and Bangon Pilipinas.

All those who want to speak will be permitted, organizers said.

However, partylist group Bayan said they are worried police might use CCTV cameras in the area for surveillance and profiling of those who will attend the demonstrations.