Marcos, in Technical Maneuver, Says He’ll Resign--After Vote

MANILA — President Ferdinand E. Marcos said today that he will resign but that his resignation will take effect only after a Jan. 17 special election in which he will be a candidate.

His announcement followed criticism from both outside and within his governing party that the midterm election would not be constitutional unless he resigned.

It appeared to be only a legal formality, since Marcos will remain in office throughout if he is reelected. If he loses, he will step down only when the new president takes his oath.

“What was agreed upon here is resignation effective after the proclamation of a winner of the election,” Marcos told reporters after a two-hour caucus of his governing party.

“So I continue as president but with a compulsory vacancy created after the election because of the resignation,” Marcos said. He said his resignation is in a letter to be given to the National Assembly, but added that he has not yet signed it.

Marcos’ current six-year term will expire in 1987. His surprise announcement Sunday of an early election was interpreted as an effort to quell criticism at home and abroad that his 20-year-old government has lost popular support and is guilty of human rights abuses.