The World : Aquino Rejects New Vote

President Corazon Aquino ruled out a vote of confidence to settle the political crisis in the Philippines. She said on a radio call-in show that strong pro-administration votes in the Feb. 2 constitutional plebiscite and May 11 congressional elections served as an endorsement of her rule, despite the recent government crisis brought about by a failed coup attempt in August. Police, meanwhile, formed special battalions to guard against attempts to take advantage of a general strike called for today by militant trade unions demanding a wage increase. Some observers feared that Communist rebels or military extremists might exploit the strike to stage a new uprising.