Coalition nominates FPJ in absentia

A coalition of opposition political parties formally nominated in absentia yesterday movie star and political newcomer Fernando Poe Jr. as its candidate in next year’s presidential elections.

Another contender in the opposition, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, said he was not surprised by Poe’s absence during the nomination, saying it is an indication that the actor wanted to meet him first before accepting the nomination.

"I think he (Poe) is sticking to his word, he being a man who honors his word. During our first meeting last Nov. 14, he told me that he would not recognize a rigged selection process. What happened was that there was no selection process at all," Lacson said.

Poe, who was a no-show at the proclamation held at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City, issued a statement via speakerphone thanking the gathering for their show of support.

The 64-year-old actor said he has yet to decide if he will accept the nomination and would respond soon.

"In all my life I have never experienced the trust that you have shown to me today. In the near future I will inform you about my response," Poe said in Filipino.

Though Poe was absent at yesterday’s nomination, his de facto spokesman, Sen. Vicente Sotto III, explained that the actor is not required to be present since the event was a function of the opposition coalition’s national executive committee.

Sotto said Poe, who is not a member of any of the political parties in the coalition, need not join any political party following his nomination.

"When a coalition supports or nominates a particular candidate, he carries the nomination of the coalition. He does not necessarily have to be a member of the coalition," he said.

Sotto later told reporters that Poe will eventually accept the coalition’s nomination. "It is very positive," he said.

On the other hand, Lacson claimed Poe will make the decision only after a meeting with him.

He said "a common friend" is working out the details of the meeting with Poe.

Lacson added he will delay the filing of his certificate of candidacy, scheduled on Monday, until after a meeting with the actor.

In a resolution read by former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, the coalition chose Poe, a high-school dropout with no experience in public service, because of "his patriotism and humanity, his sterling leadership and success in the movie industry."

In its resolution, the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) — a coalition of opposition parties Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), PDP-Laban and Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of deposed President Joseph Estrada – said Poe was chosen as its presidential candidate after a series of "meticulous, diligent and thorough" deliberations.

Enrile, who headed a candidate selection committee, also cited "the trust, respect and confidence he commands from the general public," as well as recent surveys putting him at the top of presidential aspirants, even ahead of President Arroyo.

He said the actor, who has yet to reveal his election platform other than talking about the unity of the Filipino people echoing Estrada’s winning campaign slogan in 1998, stood out from three other presidential aspirants of the opposition which included Lacson, Senators Gregorio Honasan and Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Honasan removed a hurdle for Poe by giving up his own presidential aspirations to support Poe, who is regarded as the "John Wayne" of the Philippines.

Enrile said the committee noted the popular support for Poe’s candidacy and his ratings in the latest surveys.

He said the coalition also believed Poe has the ability to "re-unify our shattered and fragmented society and to establish its cohesion, and the ability to develop and build a consensus among our people about the urgent need to bring about meaningful changes and reforms in our troubled national condition."

‘A day of hope’

KNP chairman and LDP president Edgardo Angara welcomed Poe’s proclamation and said "this is the beginning of the end of our long, national suffering."

"This is a day of hope for a majority of our people who want a new leader and a new beginning," Angara said in a statement issued from Mexico where he is attending the signing of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

In the same event, Enrile mentioned that Lacson was not considered in the selection of its candidate.

"Senator Lacson allowed himself to be proclaimed as candidate for the presidency in the May 10, 2004 national elections by a small group of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP)," he said.

Enrile said the move made by Lacson and his supporters last Dec. 4 can only be construed that the senator is no longer submitting himself to the selection process.

"In effect, (Lacson) removed himself from the coalition’s pool of presidential candidates," Enrile said.

Sotto, however, said the door is still open for Lacson to join the KNP.

"Of course (Lacson can join), he is an LDP member, all members of the LDP are enjoined to participate. Not only LDP, but PDP-Laban, PMP, and now we are having entrances from PRP and NPC and other political groups. As I have told you before, there are leaders of the Liberal Party, local government officials who are all set to join," he said.

As to the possibility that Poe might be having second thoughts about seeking the presidency, Sotto claimed it would be "wishful thinking."

Puppet candidate?

Lacson, for his part, reiterated that he would abide by a fair selection process of the opposition.

Lacson’s supporters in the LDP said Poe’s absence in the proclamation only proves that Angara and Sotto were "manipulating" Poe.

Lacson sent a message to his two colleagues and said: "Assumption is the mother of all foul-ups."

Makati Rep. Agapito "Butz" Aquino, who was placed by Angara under indefinite suspension as LDP secretary general, said Poe’s proclamation notwithstanding his absence "is a clear and unmistakable sign that his political patrons (referring to Angara and Sotto) are scheming to manipulate the actor for their own political ends."

Aquino said Poe’s reluctance to accept the nomination only reveals the actor is being sincere in his willingness to slide down to break the stalemate with Lacson.

Aquino said Angara and Sotto appear to be "over-eager" in proclaiming Poe.

Aquino claimed Angara obviously does not like Lacson since the senator cannot be "manipulated."

He said Poe himself is more interested "in threshing out the issues which are now threatening to divide the opposition."

Aquino reiterated his call for all opposition parties to ensure that a one-on-one meeting between Lacson and Poe would push through, for them to decide between themselves who should be the standard bearer.

"All of us have a formula for unity," Aquino said. "Ping’s camp is saying Poe must slide down, Poe’s camp is saying Ping must slide. I don’t see any reason why we cannot allow the two to come up with a solution of their own."

Some lawmakers from the administration party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) like Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles noted there appears to be "political forces manipulating Poe."

In a joint statement, Iloilo Rep. Augusto Syjuco, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano and Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said the refusal of Lacson’s camp (to honor Poe’s proclamation) shows the opposition’s weakness.

For his part, Minority Leader Carlos Padilla (Nueva Vizcaya) rejected speculations that Lacson does not stand a chance in the presidential elections, citing the recent survey standings of the senator.

Padilla pointed out that Lacson’s rating suddenly improved in the recent survey of Roper Asia, where the senator placed a "strong second" behind another presidential aspirant, Raul Roco.

In the same survey commissioned by Businessworld, Poe placed last with only 1.4 percent rating.

"This is a clear indication that Sen. Lacson is slowly but surely inching his way up in the ratings game. We believe that he will be able to double his ratings in the next survey," Padilla said.

Over a thousand supporters showed up yesterday to cheer the nomination of the actor.

Among those who attended the event was former ambassador and Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) president emeritus Ernesto Maceda, who described Poe as the "last remaining hope for our children and grandchildren."

"We cannot afford another six years of crime, corruption and confusion. A united opposition under FPJ (Poe) will prevent that," he said.

Former agrarian reform secretary Horacio Morales, PMP president, said Poe’s candidacy "has provoked panic among his rivals" because of his immense popularity.

But businessmen and investors worry about Poe’s glaring lack of experience — as they did with Estrada.

The announcement of his candidacy led to sharp drops in the currency and stock markets as investors saw too many similarities with Estrada, another movie star who was elected in 1998 but who was ousted in a popular uprising in 2001.

Poe has played a frequent underdog in his movies, crippling enemies with rapid punches and fancy tricks with a caliber .45 pistol. He has also played true-to-life heroes, including decorated policemen, and appeared in several World War II movies as a soldier or guerrilla fighting Japanese invaders. - With Paolo Romero, AP, AFP