Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr. is the most intelligent of the six presidential candidates, a group of businessmen representing small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) said yesterday.
These businessmen, grouped under the newly formed Concerned Entrepreneurs and Professionals for Progress (CEPP), based their opinion of Poe on the actor’s achievements despite his being a high-school dropout.
They said Poe’s achievements were enough to earn their backing even if he has not yet bared his economic plans.
CEPP president Benito Hernandez said that while Poe has not yet discussed his economic platform, "I believe that (Poe) will come out with a very economic plan, considering that his advisers are among the best in our country."
Hernandez added that "we are supporting (Poe) not because of his economic plans, but he is a man of integrity. He is not corrupt, he is honest, he is smart and is also favoring everyone to have a free move in the economy."
CEPP said it already has the support of 200 business establishments in Metro Manila alone and expects "exponential" growth once the group expands nationwide.
"As far as his ability is concerned, I think it is shown that he is very good because his accomplishments are greater than (those of) most college graduates," Hernandez said of Poe. "Being one of the richest actors in the Philippines today and one of the most successful producers, I think, shows his intelligence."
The CEPP also scored "elite business groups" composed of bigger businessmen. Big business, the CEPP said, does not represent the voice of the entire business sector, which seems to be averse to a Poe administration.
Unabashedly showing support for Poe, the CEPP was playing his campaign jingles, displaying his posters and using his hand signals at a press conference that initially looked like a sober and formal gathering of businessmen in suits. The CEPP even switched its streamer halfway through the press conference to show the group’s preference for Poe.
The CEPP said SMEs represent nearly 70 percent of the labor force employed by businesses.
"Integrity is a big factor because we have a lot of officials who have intelligence but no integrity," Hernandez said. "(Poe) has intelligence and he has integrity and I think that is a good combination."
Besides taking on the Herculean task of solving the country’s economic woes, Poe will ensure that the local movie and entertainment industry will not be neglected if he is elected, fellow actor and friend Eddie Gutierrez said.
"When (Poe) becomes president, he will move mountains to make this industry go back to where it was before," Gutierrez said in an interview.
Classmates in grade school, Gutierrez and Poe were among the alumni of San Beda College who were given the Most Distinguished Bedan award Thursday night for their achievements as actors.
Poe was cited for his achievements in Philippine cinema, while Gutierrez received recognition for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Admitting that the movie industry has seriously deteriorated over the years, Gutierrez said "the movie industry has no way to go but up. You know the situation of the movie industry now."
Poe said in January that he has yet to draw up specific plans for the movie industry.
Meanwhile, Poe’s spokesman, Sorsogon Rep. Francis Escudero, said there is no reason why Poe should not accept the challenge of Alyansa ng Pag-asa standard-bearer Raul Roco to participate in a six-way presidential debate.
"I do not know of a reason why (Poe) should not accept the challenge to a debate," Escudero said, adding that Poe would expect the format of the debate to be fair and that all candidates for the presidency would be made to participate.
Roco issued his challenge to Poe and President Arroyo when the two failed to show up at the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum Monday, to which all six presidential candidates were invited.
The President’s campaign spokesman, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) chief Michael Defensor, said Mrs. Arroyo was ready to face Roco and Poe and the other presidential candidates in a debate. – With Sammy Santos and Nikko Dizon