MANILA, Philippines?Warning of a "disturbing" pattern in recent events showing that the Arroyo administration might be seeking to perpetuate itself in power, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz asked soldiers on Wednesday to "disobey patently unlawful orders" that would subvert the Constitution.

Speaking at a forum of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting in Ortigas, Cruz said that the public should also be prepared to "stand in the way of any attempt" by the administration to stay in power.

He noted that members of the Philippine Military Academy?s Class of 1978, of which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is an honorary member, were occupying important positions in the military and police establishments.

Cruz, a former member of the Arroyo Cabinet, said he believed former Speaker Jose de Venecia when he said the administration had once tried to declare emergency rule and get Washington to support it.

He said former Philippine ambassador to Washington Alberto del Rosario had mentioned a similar scenario happening in late 2005.

Cruz said he "knows" that national security adviser Norberto Gonzales "had survived in this administration" by not making statements "without the prior approval of President Arroyo."

Gonzales recently floated the idea of a revolutionary transition government to be headed by the sitting President.