MANILA - President Arroyo should give others a chance to lead the country and tell her allies to stop efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution, which only aims to extend her stay in power beyond 2010, Christian leader Eddie Villanueva said Friday.

"Ang mahalaga sa lahat ay mailibing itong con-ass (constituent assembly resolution) na ito at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga Pilipino na mamili ng lider nila minus election manipulation (What's important is to bury con-ass and give Filipinos a chance to elect a new leader minus election manipulation)," Villanueva told radio dzMM when asked if he is planning to run again for president.

Villanueva, who lost in the 2004 presidential election, said Filipinos would have to make sure that there will be elections in 2010 first before he decides if he should join the presidential race again. He said he will run "if Filipinos are ready for change."

The evangelist said Mrs. Arroyo's refusal to tell her allies in the House of Representatives to set aside the efforts for Charter change is a clear indication that she does not intend to leave Malacañang.

"Umaapaw ang palatandaan (There is an outpouring of evidence). It appears the sitting president does not want to leave," he said. "If she really respects the Constitution, she will give a clear order to her allies in Congress to stop this nonsense (con-ass)."

Villanueva said there is another way to discourage Mrs. Arroyo from staying in power. He said the people should show Mrs. Arroyo and her allies that they are seriously against the "rape of the Constitution."

The evangelist has threatened to call on all supporters of his party, Bangon Pilipinas, to take to the streets once con-ass pushes through.

He claimed the group, which includes members of the Jesus Is Lord Movement, numbers about seven million.

Villanueva said his supporters would join other groups, including the Catholic church and the civil society, to stop con-ass and ensure that elections will be held in 2010.