Bro. Eddie to show force at Big Dome today

Thousands of supporters of television evangelist Eddie Villanueva will assemble at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City tonight to officially proclaim him as the presidential candidate of Bangon Pilipinas Movement (BPM).

More than 25,000 businessmen, students and other volunteers are expected to attend the first ever gathering of Villanueva’s supporters.

Aida Javier, BPM campaign manager, said they have distributed free tickets to those attending the assembly to control the number of people entering the Big Dome to prevent a stampede.

"We just wanted convenience for everyone," she said.

Javier said thousands of members of the pro-Villanueva group Task Force Pagbabago are also expected to attend the proclamation of the spiritual director of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide.

"Of course, followers of the Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide will be present," she said.

Javier said Villanueva will fly to Hong Kong over the weekend to attend a forum of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the special administrative region.

During a recent meeting with businessmen, Villanueva described his program of government as "one anchored on national moral transformation."

Villanueva said he is committed to improving productivity since the country’s economic deterioration has been as bad as Bangladesh’s.

He said he is considering establishing strategic growth centers to entice Filipino entrepreneurs and foreign investors to take part in the country’s economic revival.

Villanueva said he would develop and implement plans and programs that would encourage entrepreneurship among the masses.

He said he would modernize agriculture, and institute reforms in government, particularly in procurement.

He would also encourage the growth of cooperative movements, professionalize the military and the police, increase the budget of the military, establish small claims courts, and strengthen the foreign service corps to better serve the needs of OFWs, Villanueva added.

Villanueva did not attend any major activity yesterday, the start of the 90-day campaign period for the May 10 elections.

It was reported recently that President Arroyo, Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., and former President Fidel Ramos had tried to dissuade Villanueva from running for president.

It was said to be an attempt to get votes from the 3.5 million members of the Jesus is Lord ministry and the much-larger Christian block, now conservatively estimated to be nine million strong.