How rumours keep the Philippines unstable

MANILA: The rumours had been rife for weeks. The government was going to cancel the presidential elections in May because no one in their right mind would want movie star Fernando Poe Jr to be elected president. The country had to be protected at all costs from a re-run of the Joseph Estrada presidency. 

Political chatter last week rose to a fever pitch, with everyone – from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to various representatives – saying they still wanted the constitution changed to allow a shift to a parliamentary system.