And the winner is…Eddie Gil

Hold all proclamations, there is yet another claimant to the presidency.

Supporters of disqualified candidate Eddie Gil proclaimed him yesterday as the next president of the republic, saying the Philippines would fare better under his leadership than any other presidential wannabe.

"If (President Arroyo) wins, there will be trouble and if (Fernando Poe Jr.) wins, there will also be trouble. It is better if Eddie Gil will be president," Isang Bansa Isang Diwa foundation vice president Elizabeth Samson said.

Her contention is that "even though (Gil) was disqualified, he won," having garnered 15 million votes despite the fact his name was not printed on the ballots used in the May 10 elections.

Samson said at least 1,000 of Gil’s supporters from various parts of the country proclaimed Gil president at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan, the same place where former President Corazon Aquino took her oath of office following the 1986 snap elections and EDSA people power I revolt.

Samson added that at least five more busloads of Gil’s supporters wanted to attend their candidate’s proclamation, but she advised against it so as to avoid alarming the government.

"What happened was a total surprise," Gil said as he accepted the proclamation of his supporters. "I accepted their proclamation. I would be doing them a disservice if I didn’t accept their proclamation."

He claims that even though the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualified him as a nuisance candidate, at least 15 million people cast their votes for him on May 10.

Gil added that his supporters find nothing wrong with his having a career in show business while holding the post of president.

He recently guested on a television sitcom and released an album. The carrier single of Gil’s album is a ditty titled "Pelukang Itim (Black Wig)."

"These days, we do not need more tension," Samson said referring to the extreme political tension caused by Poe’s proclamation that he won the presidential race and allegations that the administration was party to massive poll fraud. "It would be better if (Gil) makes the people laugh."

In the wake of his unofficial proclamation, Gil reiterated his campaign promise to pay off the national debt and give each Filipino $1 million.

"Nothing has changed," Gil said. "I will pay the country’s debts and liberate our countrymen from the bondage of poverty."

When asked again where he intends to get the money to pay the country’s debts, Gil said he will draw the funds from his bank accounts.

"There is nothing illegal here," he said. "That is not drug money."

Gil’s supporters said they believe their candidate was disqualified by the Comelec because of his popularity.

"He was disqualified because he has so many supporters," Samson said. "Malacañang was afraid that he will win in the elections."

Gil attacked the Comelec anew for disqualifying him, saying that the disqualification is not yet final and that he still has a motion for reconsideration pending before the Supreme Court.

"There was no resolution with finality" on the disqualification case, he said. "I also have a pending motion before the Supreme Court seeking a declaration of failure of elections."

On April 27, the Supreme Court upheld the Comelec decision to disqualify Gil for being a nuisance candidate.

Gil said he filed his motion for reconsideration on May 13, adding that the high court has 15 days to act on his petition.

He also lashed out at the Comelec for disqualifying just him and not removing his party, Isang Bansa Isang Diwa, from the roster of registered political parties.

"I could have understood if we were all disqualified, but it was only me who was disqualified," he said. His vice presidential bet, Rodolfo Pajo, remained in the list and wound up fourth and last.

At Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye dismissed the proclamation of Gil, saying instead that "I believe we should be grateful to Eddie Gil for lessening the political tension by providing comic relief."

Bunye also said the government is not keen on initiating any legal actions against Gil, despite the fact that the Palace earlier issued a stern warning to Poe after the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard-bearer told his supporters in Mindanao last week that he won against Mrs. Arroyo.

"I don’t think (Gil) is serious," Bunye said when pressed to answer questions about why the administration seems to be making light of Gil’s proclamation by his supporters.

"Based on the facts presented to us, (Gil) doesn’t seem to be serious," he said. "I guess we need some relief from time to time."

"Seriously speaking, these two cases are very different," he added. "It’s the intent. One group (KNP) is very serious about what they’re doing."

"Based on actuations, the proclamation (by Poe) tends to sow confusion among the electorate and the people, whereas this mock proclamation of (Gil) just provides comic relief," he said.