Former president Fidel Ramos yesterday warned President Gloria Arroyo against canceling the 2007 elections, saying it would be a "national disaster."

Two Negros Occidental leaders yesterday said they too favor the holding of elections in 2007, while a church leader said the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines is expected to come out with its stand on the matter next week.

The Constitutional Commission has proposed calling off the 2007 mid-term congressional and local elections as part of a process to amend the Constitution before Arroyo's term ends in 2010.

At a Council of State meeting at Malacañang yesterday, Ramos said Congress must ensure the polls were held as scheduled.

"The holding of elections in 2007 as expected by our people will be the most powerful argument that we can muster to erase the international community's perception that the Philippines is only partly free," Ramos said.

Arroyo for her part, said she was receptive to differing opinions on the issue.

Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon yesterday said he is for the holding of the elections in 2007 because it gives the people a chance to express their approval or disapproval on the performance of their leaders.

Roberto Montelibano, president of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce, said the people, who at this time are agitated, should be allowed to vote in 2007.

Msgr. Victorino Rivas said the Catholic church at this time does not have a collective position on the no elections proposals.

The CBCP, which began its meetings Monday, is expected to come out with a collective position on the NoEl proposal next week, Rivas said. The three bishops of Negros Occidental are at the CBCP meeting.*CPG

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