Where’s FPJ? Volunteer groups feel ‘orphaned’

The continued silence of defeated pre-sidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. has made many of his supporters feel "orphaned," an opposition source revealed yesterday.

The bewildered followers of the movie action star are yearning for some "direction," the source, who requested anonymity, told The STAR.

"Nangungulila sila (They feel orphaned). Many of them are passionate and have yet to get used to temporizing. They are looking for people who will give them direction," the source said.

Many others from volunteer groups that supported Poe are also looking for guidance, added the source, who was part of the executive committee of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), of which Poe was standard-bearer.

They know that "something went wrong" in the May 10 elections and are posing only one question for Poe: "What should we do now?" the source said.

These avid Poe supporters have not seen or heard anything from the movie actor, the source pointed out.

The source said many of them particularly got "angry" with his deafening silence after the violent dispersal of his supporters in their June 29 protest rally at the Mabuhay Rotunda in Quezon City.

"He (Poe) was already there and many waited for him to speak to at least express his anger over what happened but he didn’t say anything," the source lamented.

President Arroyo took her oath of office on June 30 following more than a month of wrangling in the joint congressional canvass between her allies and those of Poe.

On the day of her inaugural, Poe was nowhere to be found, choosing to spend the day at his home in San Juan.

Poe’s close aides had disclosed that Poe appeared dejected after his loss and the violent dispersal of his supporters in Quezon City.

Boots Cadsawan, leader of the one of the biggest grassroots organization supporting Poe, acknowledged his silence on the dispersal of his fervent supporters.

"Tahimik na tahimik nga siya ngayon eh. Pero talagang ganun naman siya. Iyon pa ang mabigat," said Cadsawan, referring to Poe’s oft-seen withdrawn manner especially before the media.

In spite of all these sentiments against him, Poe’s followers still recognize him as the opposition leader, said the source.

But maybe not for long.

His leadership will also largely depend on his future decisions, the source pointed out, such as whether Poe will pursue an electoral protest before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) for his claims that he was cheated of victory.

"In time, the leadership in the opposition will evolve," the source said.

Cadsawan, national chairman of the Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM), confirmed that many of Poe’s followers are nonetheless patiently waiting for his next move.

"We have been getting many calls from people inquiring when we will start the fund raising for Poe’s electoral protest. Many have already signified their intent to contribute to the fund," Cadsawan said.

Poe and his running mate, former senator Loren Legarda, have until July 26 to file their electoral protest before the PET.

Poe is said to be inclined to take this action but has yet to make a categorical statement about it.