The United Opposition (UNO) led by its chairman, Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, made the call as some religious and business leaders have been looking for a formula to resolve the political crisis, notably calling for a snap presidential election.

"A clean election is the only recognized democratic means within our Constitution for us to choose our government leaders. No one person or group can dictate who can rightfully stay in Malacañang. Only those elected credibly have the right, and duty, to govern the country," they said in an official press statement.

Binay and other members of UNO heard a mass at the San Miguel Parish Church, a stone’s throw away from Malacañang.

Among those who heard mass were former US Ambassador Ernesto Maceda, former senators Francisco Tatad, Ernesto Herrera, and Vicente Sotto III, Makati City Rep. Agapito Aquino, Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuña, and actor Rex Cortez.

The mass was officiated by Fr. Larry Faraon. The only noteworthy part of the otherwise uneventful gathering was when opposition leaders exchanged "Malapit Na" ("It is near") instead of saying "peace be with you" after the Lord’s Prayer.

According to them, the holding of a credible and clean election that would practically replace President Arroyo and Vice President Noli de Castro, among others, is the "complete and peaceful" means to resolve the current political crisis.

"A credible alternative, one that will pave the way for a national leadership truly representative of the people’s will and of the nation’s interest, must be put in place," they said, adding that both Arroyo and De Castro stole their way to electoral victory.

Once Arroyo and De Castro decide to relinquish their post and call for an election, UNO stalwarts said an interim caretaker council to ensure a credible election and smooth transition of the reins of the government must be created.

"Setting up a caretaker council whose primary mandate is to ensure the holding of credible elections at the soonest possible time is the only recourse for our beleaguered country," they added.

Maceda, in an interview, said the soonest Arroyo and De Castro step down, the better it is for the entire country to get back on its feet from the protracted political crisis that has caused so much division and hatred among the people.

"GMA has lost all credibility. We have to have new leaders. Let the people decide in a credible and clean election," he said, adding that De Castro has to resign too because he has conspired to cheat in last year’s elections.

Binay also added that more mass actions and protest activities will continue on as long as the Arroyo administration hides the truth behind its electoral victory in last year’s elections and the First Family’s alleged involvement in jueteng.

While the mass was ongoing, several stickers, banners, and other paraphernalia used for demonstrations with markings "Oust GMA" were confiscated by police.

Two trucks of policemen together with several members of the PSG were deployed to maintain security in the area around the church.

At 3:35 p.m., the mass ended and the doors of the church were closed for a few minutes, as opposition members made their way to their vehicles.

On their way out, they gave away small replicas of the Philippine flag and posted a sign saying "hold Credible Elections. Set-up Caretaker Council Now!"

After this, opposition leaders boarded their cars and went in a convoy towards the direction of Ayala Bridge. (Ferdie J. Maglalang and Rizal S. Obanil)

Movement says it will support Noli as transition president

The Black and White Movement, a multi-sectoral group, said yesterday that it will support Vice President Noli de Castro as "transition president" to end the long crisis hounding the nation.

"Our consensus is that for Vice President Noli de Castro to takeover as transition president until 2007. We have agreed that this is the most constitutional of all the options we have come up with," Vicente Romano, BWM convenor, said in an interview.

As transition president, he said De Castro is expected to institute reforms, particularly in the electoral system. "In the first 100 days, we will ask him to prepare the ground work for long-term solutions and at the same time, recommend to create an advisory council to help him in implementing reform agenda," he added.

Former Education secretary Florencio Abad said the other options are: Supporting the Vice President to assume the presidency according to the Constitution, calling for special elections after asking the President and Vice President to resign, and replacing the President and Vice President through a revolutionary government.

Abad claimed that group conducted a free debate about a transition government before it came out with the options and agreed to support a De Castro transition government. About 300 leaders from all parts of the country have participated in the debates and consultations, he said.

Romano is optimistic though that the Vice President will be enlightened and eventually consider their proposal. "We are still setting up a date to meet with him and hand him the resolution. The hesitation is probably due to him not having received the full text of our proposal," he said.

The BWM has given de Castro until Nov. 30 to decide on their draft. (Shianee R. Mamanglu)