A senior Philippine cabinet member said on Saturday Presideng Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is seriously considering the formula for national survival that former President Fidel Ramos proposed as a resolution to the political crisis.

"There is serious consideration of that without having to say that the President is committed to it," said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita in an interview with local television network ANC.

"The probable change of the Constitution, the modality in reaching that option of adapting the change of Constitution and the timeline that needs to be followed. I suppose these are among the important things that can be discussed," he said.

Ermita said the Lakas Party will also study the measures and steps that can be taken in order to consolidate support for Arroyo 's presidency .

Ramos visited Arroyo Friday in the Malacanang presidential palace to present his formula to resolve the leadership crisis, which includes a proposed constitutional change.

Ramos, who reiterated that he is against any unconstitutional means of resolving the political problem, proposed to "immediately " revise the Constitution to allow a shift from presidential to parliamentary system in government.

His plan also includes a call for a constituent assembly that would draft the new Constitution, which would be submitted to a plebiscite early next year.

After this, an election will be held on May 12, 2006 under a new form of government, according to his proposal.

Source: Xinhua