Thousands of protesters rallied in Manila on Friday against moves by allies of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to revise the constitution in what is popularly known as “cha-cha” (charter change) initiative that would allow her to stay in power beyond 2010. Police said around 6,500 activists, students, opposition politicians and Catholic clergy converged on the city's business district, site of many anti-government protests in the past. Analysts said the demonstration was unlikely to have a major impact on the country's political stability as the protest was considerably smaller than the last anti-Arroyo rally in February that drew about 30,000 protesters. “I don't want Cha-Cha because it would prolong her stay in power,” Necitas Feliciano, a 59-year-old garment worker, said as she marched with a group of women carrying placards that read “Masses Oppose Charter Change.” “We want elections in 2010 so that we can get her out,” the protesters said.
