In a statement, the mayors said: “We as mayors oppose any move to unseat the President by any means violative of the Constitution.”

The group included Lito Atienza of Manila, Feliciano Belmonte Jr. of Quezon City, Rodrigo Duterte of Davao and Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa.

Hagedorn was the surprise backer of the President, as he is known to be a close friend of deposed President Joseph Estrada, as well as the late Fernando Poe Jr., who once depicted Hagedorn in a movie.

Addressing the issue of the Gloriagate tape which sparked calls for Mrs. Arroyp to resign, Hagedorn said, “What irks me about these audio tapes is, if they were really authentic, why did they surface only now that FPJ is dead?”

Atienza was more blunt, referring to the tapes as “garbage.”

COMMENT: This unexpected show of support put a damper on the anti-Arroyo forces, which had been counting on a bandwagon effect to force Mrs. Arroyo to resign. The President is clearly not thinking of quitting as she has received a substantial show of support from the provinces, but now her hand has been strengthened by this act of key mayors from Metro Manila and outside. Although not included in this group, yet another mayor who is solidly behind her is Cebu City’s Tommy Osmena.