One of the leaders of the siege at the Manila Peninsula hotel nearly a year ago has called on the Filipino people to "march" and remove President Arroyo from office.

In a statement sent to media organizations Thursday, detained Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim called Arroyo a "bogus leader" who is "bereft of moral or legal authority to lead."

"GMA continues to inflict herself on our hapless people. In the process, scarce government resources are squandered to buy for her dubious loyalties, institutions are prostituted to project a sham imprimatur to an immoral governance, public service has evolved into a buffet of graft and corruption, and morals, values, accountability and responsibility have been reduced to mere flamboyant phrases. She destroyed the very concept of truth as the foundation of every act of government," Lim, former chairman of the Young Officers Union, one of the key groups in the failed 1989 coup against the Aquino administration, said.

His statement was issued a day after Arroyo's allies in the House of Representatives defeated in the justice committee the fourth impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo in four years, and just two days before the first year anniversary of the rebel soldiers' November 29 siege of the Manila Peninsula led by Lim and detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Lim criticized the current moves in the House of Representatives to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly, amend the charter and possibly extend the terms of President Arroyo and other elected officials.

"The latest Malacañang sponsored machinations are designed to extend GMA's discredited regime. [Press] Secretary Jesus Dureza's prayer and the feigned reaction revealed it all. With no semblance of delicadeza, no less than her son is doing the rounds, spearheading a signature campaign that would eventually actualize their foul design," Lim said.

"With a subservient Congress which frustrates the impeachment process at every turn and some Supreme Court justices willing to do their biddings, then their coast is clear, our political fate is sealed. I dread the thought that our best bet is for GMA to die of old age," he added.

Lim urged the Filipino people to "march" and "reclaim their dignity." He added: "Now is the time to grip hands and act! Enough is enough!"

"Long starved of good governance, the Filipino people should act now to reclaim their dignity, remove the pretender from power and steer this nation on the path to greatness. I echo, loud and clear, the call for radical reforms and restructuring. The call of the times is for us not only to listen but to march," Lim said.

Lim said the Philippines needs a "leader of heroic and nationalist stature who would champion genuine independence in every aspect of our national life."

Last month, five Catholic church leaders, including the Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said it was time to form a new government now." Influential businessmen under the Makati Business Club and the Management Association of the Philippines later expressed support for the five bishops' call.

Yano calls for sobriety
Gen. Alexander Yano, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, meanwhile appealed for sobriety amidst the latest action of a Lower House committee to junk the latest impeachment bid against President Arroyo.

Yano said that the constitutional reliefs available are working properly, so there is no need to use extra-constitutional measures in pursuing reforms in government.

As of now, Yano said they there is no report yet of possible destabilization efforts, even from the leftist groups.

Yano explained that the situation happening now in Thailand is not comparable to the Philippine situation because of differences in culture and history.

He stressed that Filipino soldiers are already aware of "mistakes committed in the past" by former soldiers who figured in mutiny or uprisings against the government.

Yano gave the statements at the celebration of the 71st anniversary of the AFP Chaplain Service, held at the AFP Commissioned Officers' Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. With a report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News