BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR

PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday said those eyeing the presidency in 2010 to set aside their personal ambitions for the moment and instead focus on stability and moving the country forward.

She refused to comment on protest actions organized by the opposition and civil society and militant groups to press her resignation.

The fresh ouster calls were triggered by allegations of corruption, particularly overpricing and kickbacks the national broadband network project.

At the Philippine Economic Forum at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati City, Arroyo said she has already said her piece about the now cancelled NBN project awarded to the Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

Arroyo called on opponents to end what she called their politicking.

"We call on our political leaders, of all parties and preferences, to look to our future. We call on them to ensure stability for the sake of the nation. Let us put aside partisan wrangling, as candidates jockey for the presidency," she added.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the people are already tired of mass actions as shown by yesterday's rally in Makati.

"Ang sinasabi ko ay parang declining interest ng tao, declining iyung warm bodies on the streets. Nagpapatunay na mukhang pagod," he said.

Rally organizers said about 10,000 came to the rally. The police estimate was 8,000 at its peak around 5:30 p.m.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila dismissed reports there are some Cabinet members who are planning to do a "Hyatt 10."

Favila said the Cabinet men are all "committed to support the President until the very last day in 2010."

The Hyatt 10 is composed of 10 Cabinet and other key officials who quit the Arroyo administration in 2005 following allegations of cheating in the 2004 presidential elections. The group is circulating a manifesto calling for Arroyo's ouster among former Cabinet officials, including those in the Aquino, Ramos and Estrada administrations.