MANILA - Two prominent religious leaders from rival sects called for an end to the political bickering between President Gloria Arroyo and the opposition in an unprecedented joint statement yesterday.

Erano Manalo, head of the Iglesia Ni Kristo (Chapel of Christ) fundamentalist group, and Mike Velarde, head of the "El Shaddai" evangelical group, made their appeal in an advertisement in the Philippine Star newspaper.

Velarde and Manalo, who each have over one million followers, called on "both the administration and the opposition to bring an end to the political bickerings that have been going on for months and have been hurting our nation so much, particularly its economy."

The two powerful religious figures said that while politicians could afford to squabble, the lives of the poor were worsening.

They also said that the political struggle of the administration and opposition "should not consume the greater part of their time and energy such that the pressing needs of our people are virtually neglected."

The statement did not mention any political figure by name but called on the two sides to resolve their issues "through peaceful and constitutional means" -- referring to the efforts of the opposition to oust Arroyo on charges that she cheated to win the May 2004 elections.

The opposition released audiotapes in June allegedly proving that Arroyo cheated but the president's allies in the legislature quashed their impeachment complaint against her last month.

In reaction, the opposition has resorted to almost daily street protests and to holding frequent "congressional investigations" of government actions which Arroyo has branded as mere harassment.

Manalo and Velarde have provided support to Arroyo in the past and their followers are known to vote for whoever they endorse. However, they are also widely seen as rivals and have not previously worked together.

Their appeal comes as thousands of leftists prepare for a massive rally in front of the presidential palace to press for Arroyo's ouster.*AFP

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