Roco’s suggestion for Poe to rebuild RP Hollywood rejected

The Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino brushed aside yesterday a suggestion by presidential candidate Raul Roco for KNP standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr. to quit the presidential race and rebuild the Philippine film industry under a Roco presidency.

Former press secretary Rod Reyes, who heads Poe’s media bureau, said that while the KNP thanks Roco for his offer, it is absurd for Poe to consider it.

"On the same day that Roco broached his job offer, Poe was telling thousands of supporters in Bataan that he would never back out from the presidential race no matter what happens," Reyes said in a statement.

"We thank Roco for his suggestion, however self-serving it may sound, pero palagay ko ang lawin ay hindi na mapipigilan sa kanyang paglipad patungong Malacañang (but I think the hawk can no longer be prevented from flying towards Malacañang)," he added.

Reyes was referring to a speech made by Poe in Bataan Friday where he declared that "ang lawing ito ay lilipad patungong Malacañang (this hawk will soar toward Malacañang)" come June 30.

As for Roco’s claim that Poe, who topped the latest popularity survey among presidential candidates, is likely to be disqualified by the Supreme Court due to questions about his citizenship, Reyes said the KNP is hoping that the high tribunal will not be swayed by political considerations.

He said that Poe’s lawyers pointed out that eliminating the strongest bet in the presidential race "will mean striking at the very heart of representative government, which is the right of the people to freely choose their leaders through balloting."

Poe’s spokesman, Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero, said the actor has been unfairly criticized for his supposed lack of credentials to run a government.

"I don’t think it’s fair to him, his supporters and the people in general," he said.

Escudero pointed out that each citizen has the right to offer himself to lead his country and "it does not matter if he is not a lawyer or does not have previous experience in governance, as long as he is the choice of the people."

He added that unlike Poe, most of the presidential candidates have remained "alien" to the plight of the people.

"It is also the reason why many people are detached from the government," Escudero said.

Poe’s experience in show business has allowed him to mingle with the masses, he said, noting that other candidates have not gone around the country as much as Poe did when shooting his films.

"Or if they did, it was only part of their official functions as government officials," Escudero said.

Poe, 64, is a high school dropout who eventually became the "Da King" of Philippine movies after starring in a series of box-office hits. He is also a successful film producer, director and scriptwriter.

Despite Poe’s lack of academic achievement and his inexperience in governance, his drumbeaters say he is fit for the presidency because of his honesty, sincerity, capability to unite the country and success as a businessman.