The military may take over the government if there would be failure of elections in May, but such scenario is unlikely to happen, said Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Charito Planas.

Planas stressed this as she allayed concerns of any imminent poll failure and eventual takeover by the military, saying the nation could easily revert to manual counting of votes in case the automated machines break down.

“There will be no failure of elections. Automation is limited to actual counting of ballots. If the machines fail due to power shortage, we can still count the votes manually,” she said in Filipino during a news conference in the Palace.

To cushion the impact of the power crisis, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing almost 2,000 generator sets for the May 10 polls.

Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said the generator sets will be allocated to the different canvassing centers.

“Our canvassing centers are around 1,631 but we have more than 1,700 generator sets,” he told reporters in an interview.

Planas, a lawyer by profession, admitted though that a military takeover is among the possible scenarios that may occur if the elections will be unsuccessful.

“There is a provision in the Constitution where the military can take over. That could be done. Military juntas have taken over in several countries, especially in Southeast Asia,” she said.

She said even Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has mentioned a possible military takeover in case of a botched elections of new set of leaders.

Planas likewise insisted that President Arroyo, who has promised to ensure a smooth transition of power to her successor, would relinquish her post by June 30 after nine years of serving the people.

Asked if Mrs. Arroyo is prepared to act as holdover President in case of failure of proclamation of a new leader, Planas said the matter does not rest on the incumbent President.

“Let us check the Constitution. The President will not be the one to say she is taking over. The situation will dictate it,” she added. ”Senator Enrile has said the military can take over in a situation like that,” she added.

The latest remarks from Planas came amid fears that President Arroyo might use Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Delfin Bangit to derail the upcoming elections to extend her stay in office.

No less than President Arroyo has insisted that clean and credible automated elections would be the last legacy she intends to leave the nation before she leaves the Palace.

Planas, meantime, encouraged people to take advantage of the national holiday on May 10 to participate in the national and local elections. She said the democratic exercise is a rare opportunity “to remove in office officials we don’t like and elect those we like.”

President Arroyo earlier issued Proclamation No.2020 declaring May 10 as a special non-working holiday to allow Filipinos the opportunity to take part in the general elections.