MANILA - PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo's spokesman sought on Wednesday to dissuade a popular Philippines preacher from carrying out a reported threat to lead an anti-government march.

Mr Mike Velarde of the El Shaddai group threatened to lead a million members into the streets to stop Arroyo allies from pursuing efforts to rewrite the Philippines constitution, local press reports said.

Mrs Arroyo last week defeated a fourth successive attempt by political opponents to impeach her for alleged corruption.

'Brother Mike should call on the people to rally behind the government and help the country,' presidential spokesman Lorelei Fajardo told reporters.

'Charter change is a matter for Congress to tackle on its own,' she added.

Mr Velarde, who Mrs Arroyo has often described as her 'spiritual adviser", could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Mrs Arroyo and her allies have in the past sought constitutional amendments to turn the current presidential system into a parliamentary one to unclog the policy gridlock that often comes from the presidency and the legislature having a different agenda.

However, their opponents allege the effort is a transparent ploy to prolong Mrs Arroyo's stay in office. The latest edition of the Philippine constitution, ratified in 1987, calls for a single presidential term of six years.

'The dismissal of the (impeachment) complaint is an act of Congress. It is a welcome development for it will allow us to move forward,' Ms Fajardo said.

The House of Representatives formally threw out the complaint on Tuesday, ratifying a House committee's decision last week.

Ms Fajardo said the government is urging the people 'to help government and work towards a common goal of progress'.

She said 'this is not the time for anger and rash behaviour. We need to think calmly and act judiciously.' -- AFP