An estimated 600,000 protesters in Manila, and tens of thousands elsewhere in the Philippines, yesterday sent the President, Mr Fidel Ramos, a strong warning to keep his word and stand down next year.
The Manila rally, led by the Catholic Church, went ahead despite a promise by Mr Ramos (69) that he would not stand in the presidential election next May. He said, however, that the constitution, which bars presidents from serving more than one term, must be revised "without delay".
News reports said tens of thousands staged rallies in provincial cities against proposals to change the constitution to allow Mr Ramos a second term. The president praised their peaceful conduct, saying this was proof "that democracy in our country is very much alive".
His predecessor, Ms Corazon Aquino, who helped instal him in office, told the Manila rally that no president deserved a second term. She threatened to lead a "people-prayer power 1997" if he stood again or imposed martial rule.
Yesterday was the 25th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Mr Ferdinand Marcos, who was toppled in a bloodless "people power" revolt in 1986 led by Mr Ramos, Ms Aquino and the Catholic Church leader, Cardinal Jaime Sin.
Cardinal Sin was more conciliatory yesterday than Ms Aquino and prayed for national reconciliation. "If, in the heat of passionate love for our country and for our democracy, words have been exchanged which have caused undue personal hurt, we humbly ask the Lord and each affected person, including the president, for forgiveness."
When Mr Ramos returned from Europe on Saturday, he appeared to defuse the crisis, saying he would not stand again and opposed changing the constitution until after the presidential election.
Yesterday the former general insisted the 1987 constitution must be changed by a convention elected during the presidential poll.