LUCENA CITY, Quezon, Philippines ? The appointment of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales as acting defense secretary was part of Malacañang?s scheme to perpetuate President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in power after the expiration of her term of office in 2010.

?The appointment of the clerico-fascist Gonzales as the new defense chief is meant not only to heighten the fascist policies and measures of his predecessor and of the US-Arroyo regime. His strategic placement is specifically designed to ensure the perpetuation in power of the ruling regime in the likelihood of its failure to convincingly bag the 2010 elections,? the CPP said in a statement issued Sunday.

The CPP noted that the administration-backed national candidates have been lagging behind opposition bets in all poll surveys.

?Such a wide chasm between the survey performances of the opposition and the regime candidates will be very difficult to override even through massive cheating and other usual foul means,? the CPP said.

The communist group added: ?Thus, the lame duck regime is now more determinedly putting in place a 'failure of elections and transition government scenario' which the new defense secretary has long been blatantly pushing.?

Gonzales has been proposing the idea of a ?council-led transition government? to be headed by Chief Justice Reynato, which the chief magistrate rejected.

Based on Gonzales plan, the proposed council would run the government and oversee the drafting of a new Constitution before the national elections in May 2010.

The political opposition described the scheme as another form of ?emergency government? designed to extend Arroyo's stay in power.

The CPP also noted that Malacañang has never tried to tone down Gonzales' persistent push for such a scenario.

The CPP said: ?There are growing signs that the ruling regime will force and justify such a scenario, among them the many hitches in the Comelec's poll automation system and even the threat of power failure during election day itself.?

The CPP called on the Filipino people to be vigilant and resist Gonzales and Malacañang?s scheme to hold on to power.

On Saturday, Malacañang announced the appointment of Gonzales to head the defense portfolio. Defense secretary Gilberto Teodoro is stepping down to run as the administration's standard-bearer in the May 2010 elections.

Palace said it was still studying whether to appoint a national security adviser in place of Gonzales or retain him in that post in a concurrent capacity.

Gonzales will serve in an acting capacity until the end of Ms Arroyo?s term in June 2010.