Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Friday appealed to the public not to allow themselves to be used by those who want to bring down the government.

The local media group ABS-CBN News quoted Arroyo as saying in a radio interview that the rumored attempts to overthrow her administration have become part of "the dark underside of Philippine politics".

"I hope that they (the public) will not allow themselves to be used by those who want to destabilize the government," she said.

Arroyo made the appeal following a call by an opposition lawmaker on Thursday for her resignation following accusations that she rigged the 2004 presidential polls.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel also asked Vice-President Noli de Castro to quit and called for a new election.

An alleged tape conversation by the president which suggested that she cheated in last year's election was made public this week. The government said the conversation was wiretapped and then doctored.

Source: Xinhua