PHILIPPINES: Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo faces a crucial week as flagging opposition attempts to impeach her come to a head and a court rules on the centrepiece of her economic reform plans.
Since her presidency was taken to the brink of collapse last month when ministers and other allies deserted her, Ms Arroyo has used her formidable political machinery to shore up support and fend off a steady stream of fresh allegations against her.
But political analysts say she still looks fragile given her dire popularity ratings. As Filipinos brace for an economic chill from spiralling world oil prices, that could be worsened by Ms Arroyo's attempts to raise taxes.
In congress, she faces the dilemma of whether to quash the impeachment attempt and risk angering a population that may be starting to tire of the scandal or allowing it to progress to a point where it could gather momentum and succeed in ousting her.
Ramon Casiple of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms said it would be dangerous for Ms Arroyo if she was seen as blocking the search for truth over the allegations, including that she tried to rig elections last year.
"The middle class will definitely react. If you look at the surveys, it already shows there is a definite public opinion for impeaching her.
"It's a question of how they can stop the impeachment and yet have the people believe it is natural. I don't think they can do it," Mr Casiple said.
A lower house committee stacked with Ms Arroyo's allies is due to vote tomorrow on which of three impeachment cases to take up.
Only one of the cases is seen as strong enough to have a chance of succeeding, and some opposition figures have threatened to abandon the proceedings if it is not taken up.
By doing so, they would hope to generate the same kind of anger that ousted Joseph Estrada from the presidency in 2001 after his impeachment trial collapsed.