Arroyo looks set to win presidential race

For all her shortcomings, however, analysts reckon President Gloria Arroyo is likely to win next week's presidential race.

Although she initially trailed other aspirants in popularity surveys, the 57-year-old economist has been able to reverse her political fortunes by a combination of hard work, an extensive political machinery and the use of government resources.

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"Her victory is likely, not because she is the best among the candidates, but mainly because her closest rival failed to articulate what he wants to do for the country,'' said Gladstone Cuarteros, an analyst at the Institute for Popular Democracy.