Poe victory will repeat Estrada presidency, Roco warns

SAN FERNANDO, La Union - Presidential contender Raul Roco warned voters yesterday that voting for actor Fernando Poe Jr. will doom the country into another crisis similar to what his bosom buddy, fallen leader Joseph Estrada, brought to the nation.

"Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it," said Roco, who at the same time likened his elusive rival to a "turtle that keeps its head in its shell" for refusing to engage other candidates in a televised debate.

Administration congressmen also joined Poe’s critics and opponents in expressing disappointment over the actor’s strong opposition to holding public debates.

In a joint statement, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) Representatives Exequiel Javier and Robert "Ace" Barbers reminded Poe that he owes it to the people to elaborate on how he will lead the nation, if he wins in the May 10 elections, despite the absence of any experience in public office.

Javier said Poe is undermining the intelligence of Filipino voters if he banks too much on his popularity to win votes.

Poe, a high school dropout but who has made a name for himself in the world of show business, has said he is a man of action than of words. He said public debates as "divisive" to the nation.

Javier countered Poe must still explain the basis of his "future actions in governance."

"Does he plan to act instinctively to every problem or issue that will confront his administration if he wins?" the lawmaker asked.

Poe remains overall leader in public opinion surveys among presidential candidates, but his lack of political experience has kept him from pulling away from the pack.

In an open forum at the National College of Science and Technology here, Roco said the nation is already tired of having a president "that is cut out for the movies."

The standard-bearer of the Alyansa ng Pag-asa cited the political experience of Estrada, a former actor himself, who was ousted from the presidency due to charges of plunder and bribery. He is now in jail while the anti-graft court hears his case.

Roco noted that while Poe claims to be independent of Estrada, he is surrounded by the same people identified with the fallen leader.

He warned Poe might suffer the same fate as that of his bosom buddy.

"Estrada is in jail but the people who used to be with him are now sorrounding Poe," Roco said. "If Poe also gets himself jailed, the people around them will look for a new candidate that can fool the people."

Leading Poe’s backers who are staunch Estrada allies are Senators Edgardo Angara, Vicente Sotto III and most of the KNP senatorial slate led by re-electionist Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Roco urged Poe to "speak up" and show his "might" by participating in a debate with their opponents.

"What can you do with a turtle that hides the head but you can see the tail. What can you do about that? Speak up, show your might," Roco said.

Barbers, for his part, said that with only two months before the elections, Poe should not rely on his media handlers to outline his platform for him through press releases.

Roco, meanwhile, remains confident that he "will beat them all" in the presidential race, seen as one of the most hotly contested in the country’s history.

Citing the growing discontent over the Arroyo administration, Roco said the presidency is now a fight between him and Poe.

"It’s Roco and maybe Poe, no question about it as we go around (the country). Nobody wants Gloria anymore. It’s a waste of vote to pick Gloria because it’s clear that the people want a change in leadership," said Roco, who is former education secretary of the President.

Roco campaigned here with running mate Herminio Aquino and senatorial candidates Jay Sonza, Frank Chavez, Edno Joson, Bong Coo, Nicanor Gatmaytan Jr., Melanio "Batas" Mauricio and Perfecto Yasay Jr.

"There is no question about it (victory). We are not even in the second half of the campaign and we can see that the people are already responding. It’s the people who will make the Alyansa ticket win," said Roco, a constant third placer in recent surveys.

Roco had to skip the motorcade in Bulacan last Friday to attend the wake of his wife Sonia’s younger brother Pablo Malasarte Jr.

Several of his senatorial candidates pushed through with the motorcade.

The Alyansa ticket proceeded to this town Friday night and toured various public markets and schools here yesterday morning.