Alma for mayor in 2004?

From First Lady of Parañaque to Madam Mayor?

Is Alma Moreno, actress and estranged wife of Parañaque City Mayor Joey Marquez, laying the groundwork for her political plans in 2004?

A reliable source confirmed that Moreno has formed a non-government organization (NGO) called "Alma Moreno para sa Mahirap na Mamamayan."

However, the source declined to confirm if the group was part of Moreno’s plan to run for the seat that her husband will vacate two years from now.

The group, which is still being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), was organized by Moreno shortly after her breakup with Marquez earlier this year, the source, who requested anonymity, told The STAR.

"She wanted to continue the projects she had started when she and Joey were still together," the source said. Among these projects are the Libreng Libing Foundation and a medical-dental mission.

The source added that several community leaders in Parañaque have been urging Moreno to run for mayor.

A private survey was reportedly conducted, the source said, which showed Moreno leading a list of mayoral hopefuls, including former Mayor Pablo Olivarez, incumbent Vice Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr., and Councilor Anjo Yllana.

"Let’s say there’s a 50-50 percent chance that she’ll run for mayor. After all, she said that she can continue serving the public even without having to be elected into office," the source said.

Last May, Moreno was reportedly asked by Olivarez to be his running mate in the elections. "He personally went to Alma’s birthday concert just to ask her to be his running mate, but she didn’t commit to anything," the source said.

Marquez is on his last term as city mayor and is believed to be eyeing either a congressional or senatorial seat in 2004.– Nikko Dizon