Guingona tapped as Poe adviser

Fernando Poe Jr. said yesterday he has tapped Vice President Teofisto Guingona to be one of his economic advisers.

Poe said in an interview over ABS-CBN television he would hold a news conference shortly to introduce the members of his "economic team," naming two of them as Guingona and Sen. Sergio Osmeña III.

Guingona is considering the invitation, his spokesman said. "Discussions are in progress regarding their earlier offer for the Vice President to be one of the advisers," Ding Gagelonia said.

Poe’s campaign spokesman, Sen. Vicente Sotto III, told reporters last Tuesday that the political neophyte would present his entire economic team to the public next week. Poe’s candidacy has spooked the capital markets because of the high school dropout’s lack of experience and his failure to adequately explain his program of government.

Asked about what he planned to do if he is elected, the actor-turned-politician said: "Based on what I see, (the main problems are) poverty, jobs and food."

Guingona earlier said Poe sought him out last December for advice on "various national issues, including the need to unite the country and the importance of good governance." He said he would think about Poe’s invitation.

"I am convinced that he is a good and honest man who is fairly gifted with native intelligence," Guingona said about his impression of Poe after their December meeting.

"Character is very vital for any-one who would lead a nation. Sincerity and honest are indispensable. While experience in the job is a good norm, it can be a plus or a minus. If one’s record in office is bad, what good is experience?"

If he agrees to become Poe’s adviser, Guingona said he would have to resign from Bangon! (Rise!), a non-partisan group advocating reforms.

He joined the group as its head shortly after he quit Lakas in October, complaining over the slow pace of reforms as well as policy disagreements with Mrs. Arroyo.

Guingona quit as party president and member a day before Mrs. Arroyo’s Oct. 5 decision to rejoin the presidential race.

Mrs. Arroyo appointed Guingona as vice president in early 2001 after she replaced Joseph Estrada, who was booted out by a popular uprising following allegations of massive corruption. Guingona was also given the foreign affairs portfolio.

Guingona quit the post July 2002 over differences with Mrs. Arroyo on the deployment of US troops in Mindanao.

On the opening day of his campaign last Monday, Poe gave his first vague details about his program of government and how he plans to solve the country’s numerous problems.

He vowed to fight poverty which he described as the "greatest scandal in our history."

Poe’s Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino political alliance promised to make food affordable, improve health care, purge the police of "rogue elements," drastically reduce the budget deficit and introduce bold tax reforms.

Poe spent day two of his campaign yesterday breezing through several towns in Bulacan province. Traffic was snarled as thousands of people lined up the roads to welcome Poe and his party.

In a speech in San Miguel town, where he began his whistle-stop tour, Poe asked supporters to help him solve the country’s problems.

Poe later in the day had to cut his Bulacan swing after he cut his finger during the sortie. — James Mananghaya, Paolo Romero, Ding Cervantes, AFP