In an open letter titled, "A Call for Statesmanship for a Stronger Democracy and for Vigilance of Citizens," the BCC decried fresh attempts by Arroyo allies in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution and change the presidential and unitary form of government to a parliamentary and federal one.

They said they were also "concerned about the prospect of Martial Law to abort the 2010 elections."

While the statement was dated October 4, it was released only on Thursday by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines media office.

"Under our Constitution, presidential elections are scheduled to be held in May 2010 with the present administration under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stepping down from power by June 30, 2010. We are concerned by moves that may derail these events," they said.

"We also believe that any attempt to derail the 2010 elections will be rejected resoundingly by the people in a plebiscite. But not without the cost of divisiveness and political turbulence, and the diversion of national attention from the things that matter most to our people now -- livelihood, food, education, health, social reform, agrarian reform program extension, equal justice, clean elections -- which can all be done without changing the Constitution," the statement said.

The BCC said ending the decades-old secessionist war in Mindanao should not be used to justify any fresh attempt to change the Charter.

"The peaceful transfer of power through regular and periodic elections is the bedrock of a democracy. Charter change, if necessary, and the pursuit of peace in Mindanao, which is of the highest priority, should be a part of the continuing agenda of the government, regardless of a change in administration," they said.

They also warned the Arroyo administration against imposing martial law.

"We believe that no public official will choose to go against the overwhelming sentiment of our people for democracy and against any form of authoritarianism," they said.

"A [Ferdinand] Marcos, when confronted with the issue of taking lives to stay in power, did not send troops to EDSA to stop the people power revolt. A [Fidel] Ramos backed down from removing the term limits of the Constitution rather than face a nationwide protest. An [Joseph] Estrada chose to leave Malacañang than risk a clash between forces, armed and civilian, for and against him.

"And an [Gloria] Arroyo can step down gracefully in 2010," they said.