Sunday, February 22, 2004 (Philippines)

RAMOS. He served from 1992 to 1998, but an aborted attempt at constitutional change kept Fidel V. Ramos from staying longer in Malacañang.(SUN.STAR FILE) MANILA—Former president Fidel Ramos strongly backed President Arroyo in the May presidential elections, as he assailed her chief rival, movie star Fernando Poe. In a presidential palace statement, Ramos, who is credited with spurring economic growth during his term from 1992 to 1998, said the election of Arroyo will ensure continuity in national planning and reforms in governance, while that of Poe would reverse the country’s economic gains. He criticized Arroyo’s rival candidates, saying that “the `doom scenarios’ and half-baked solutions of self-proclaimed messiahs and instant heroes will plunge the entire country back to square one.” [full story]

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