PHILIPPINES PRES. UNDER FIRE FOR ELECTION NIGHT PHONE CALL
1 July 2005

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines is mired in a major political controversy regarding audio footage of a call she placed during last year's election to an election official. In the tape, she is heard asking if she will win by a margin of one million votes. Though she has admitted making the call on national television, and has apologized, she denies the call was intended to influence the count. According to a Social Weather Stations poll of 526 Filipinos, 59% believe her intent was to cheat, but only 26% want an investigation, and only 18% believe she should resign. [For more: SMH]