MANILA, Philippines -- The influential Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) will hold a special plenary meeting Tuesday to discuss its position amid the rising calls for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster on corruption allegations.

The CBCP, which holds its regular plenary sessions twice a year -- in January and June -- called for the special meeting last week because of differing interpretations of the CBCP president's call for "communal action," according to a source privy to the meeting.

The bishops are expected to thresh out exactly what CBCP president and Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo meant when he called for "communal action" and a "new brand of people power" in an interview aired over Church-run Radio Veritas.

One bishop, Pedro Arigo of Puerto Princesa, has called for President Arroyo's resignation. Another, Pampanga's Pablo David, called for the resignation of her Cabinet and the rejection of "evil." Others, like the Mindanao bishops, support President Arroyo's completing her term.

Some in the lay sector have interpreted the call to mean the bishops would spearhead street demonstrations or a people power revolt against Ms Arroyo, similar to those that toppled Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada in 1986 and 2001, respectively.

Even Malacañang officials reacted differently to Lagdameo's statement, apparently because of differing interpretations as well.

"That (the various interpretations) is only one reason. The other is the urgency of the political situation because of the snowballing campaign for GMA's (Ms Arroyo?s) sought anonymity because he wrote one of papers submitted for discussion to the CBCP,? the source said.

After the special session, there will be a meeting between the bishops and legislators on Feb. 27, the source said.

"What they will discuss, I don't know," the source said, referring to both meetings.

The CBCP held its first plenary meeting for the year last month, calling for resolution of the "Hello Garci" scandal, also involving President Arroyo.

Lagdameo, in the radio interview, noted increasing cynicism among the people. He said, "The Filipino people, we together through communal action, must discover a new brand of people power."

Lagdameo said that "communal action" comes after prayers, reflections and discussions on issues affecting the country.