Arroyo spokesman says president won't resign

Embattled Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not bow to mounting calls on her to step down, her spokesman said…

Embattled Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not bow to mounting calls on her to step down, her spokesman said today.

"The president's position is not to resign," the spokesman told ABS-CBN television. "She has sworn to uphold her constitutional duty."

Ms Arroyo is facing demands she quit over allegations she tried to influence the vote counting in last year's presidential election and that members of her family took payoffs from illegal gambling.

"We are looking at an elected official asked to give up her constituional duties on the basis of what?" he said, noting Ms Arroyo was not under investigation and no charges had been proved.

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