MANILA President Gloria Arroyo sounded a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, saying she was willing to work with the opposition, as early election results showed her foes gaining ground in the Senate, AFP reported.

"It's time to move on, politics is enough," she told reporters.

"It's time to start the healing process."

Early unofficial tallies suggested Arroyo's allies might not be able to win the eight seats needed to gain a simple majority in the 24-seat legislature.

Financial markets here swooned at the prospect of legislative gridlock.

But Arroyo spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao stressed that Arroyo and allies of her jailed predecessor Joseph Estrada had indicated they were willing to cooperate.

Television and radio projections said the opposition was likely to win six seats, one more than pre-election surveys had indicated.

Estrada, who goes on trial next month for corruption, has six other allies among the 11 senators with unexpired terms to Arroyo's five.

"We're glad that leaders of opposition, in radio and television interviews, have sent a signal that they won't be oppositionist just for obstructing (Arroyo's agenda)," Tiglao told reporters.

"In fact their point is they would try to be cooperative. Of course, they will (assume) fiscalizing roles but I'm sure they realize after all these political developments what we need is to really start uniting and push the country forward."

Tiglao said "the president has emphasized herself that she's reaching out to all groups to become a president of the entire country. She doesn't want to rule over a divided country."

Asked about the accuracy of the unofficial forecasts, Tiglao was diplomatic.

"I think we should respect each of these quick count results but of course we should emphasize that these are quick counts, unofficial results and we really have to wait for the (official) returns."