'In whatever form it takes, the practice of corruption is both immoral and unjust,' 16 senior Catholic leaders led by Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, the archbishop of Manila, said in a pastoral letter.

The letter is to be read at Sunday mass at all Catholic churches in Manila.

Mrs Arroyo has brushed off calls for her resignation amid a corruption scandal that has implicated her husband and a political ally.

The case involves a 329-million-dollar (S$454.6 million) Internet contract won by a state-run Chinese firm but since been cancelled by the government.

The bishops reiterated an earlier pastoral letter issued last month in which a larger grouping of the country's 100-odd Catholic leaders refused to support street protests calling for Mrs Arroyo's ouster.

'Many are critical of the present governance particularly in the areas of truth and justice. But we can restore truth and justice without resorting to violence and hatred,' the letter says.

The church leaders urged the return the stolen public funds to the government.

'If the owner can no longer be located, then the money should be given to the poor,' it said.

Other bishops have previously called for Mrs Arroyo's ouster and have supported efforts to force her from office.

Some of these bishops were among the leaders at the rally of about 5,000 people, including Roman Catholic priests and nuns who gathered at a public square in the heart of Manila on Friday to call for ouster of Arroyo.

A spokesman for the president, Ms Lorelie Fajardo, said the rally was 'welcome, as far as the exercise of the democratic freedom we all enjoy is concerned'. -- AFP