US opposes unconstitutional ouster of Philippines president suspected of vote fraud News
US opposes unconstitutional ouster of Philippines president suspected of vote fraud

[JURIST] The US has vowed to oppose any attempt to remove politically-beleaguered Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [official website], dogged by allegations of election fraud [IHT report], unless that is done through a constitutional process. US embassy Charge d'Affaires Joseph Mussomeli said in a Philippines radio interview [transcript] Friday that the US "supports the rule of law" and firmly opposes a military coup, martial law and anything that would weaken institutions of liberty. On Thursday Arroyo asked her entire Cabinet to resign [AP report] in an effort to deflect criticism and clear the political air. She assumed power in 2001 after a peaceful revolution that ousted then-president Joseph Estrada [Wikipedia profile] and was re-elected in 2004. AFP has more.