No way for FPJ to back out, Angara says

There’s no way for movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., or FPJ, to back out of the presidential race or slide down to be a vice presidential candidate, Sen. Edgardo Angara said yesterday.

"Tuloy tuloy na si FPJ, wala nang makakapigil dyan," he said in a radio interview.

Angara was responding to questions on whether it was still possible for Poe to change his mind and slide down to the vice presidency in case a new meeting between Poe and his rival, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, materializes.

Ousted President Joseph Estrada reportedly had planned to bring the two opposition presidential aspirants together for a "unification" talk before Dec. 25, but this fell through.

Poe and Lacson have gone their separate ways since last meeting two Saturdays ago.

Angara stressed it is impossible for Poe to give way to Lacson. "Imposible, imposible na ‘yan," he said.

Angara pointed out Poe has topped the latest popularity survey on presidential aspirants while Lacson’s did not improve.

Angara is the de facto leader of the opposition group Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP), composed of the Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino and the PDP-Laban of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Pimentel, on the other hand, said the PDP-Laban will support Poe’s candidacy.

He said Poe is now doing his "homework," honing his grasp of current political issues that will firm up his platform of government once the campaign period starts.

"By that time (campaign period), Poe would have sharpened his grasp of the issues. In other words, he would be more prepared. I think FPJ is embarking on a different path than his buddy, Erap (Estrada)," Pimentel said.

Pimentel debunked claims of critics that the movie actor might have a hard time addressing various political issues due to his lack of experience in governance and public service.

Critics claimed Poe will end up as a mere clone of Estrada and will fail to address the country’s deteriorating economy.

Pimentel bared that during a meeting with the actor last week, Poe presented a draft vision of government for the united opposition to be known by its acronym, FREEDOM, which stands for Federalism, Reforms, Economics, Education, Debt, Overseas Filipinos and Mindanao.

"Poe told me he is willing to consider adopting FREEDOM as platform of government. However, it is understood that FREEDOM does not limit (his) program of action that his group may craft for the good of the people," Pimentel said.

He noted that Poe appeared to have sharpened his grasp of the issues.

Pimentel said Poe also emphasized the importance of a common platform of government that should serve as the basic framework for uniting the opposition.

The actor, Pimentel said, was humble enough to admit his lack of knowledge on the proposal to adopt the federal type of government and other constitutional issues.

"Poe suggested that the federalism proposal be submitted as part of the proposals to amend the Constitution so that it could be explained, discussed and dissected more fully for the benefit of the people," Pimentel said.

Pimentel said Poe is out to prove that he is his own man and independent-minded.

He said that Poe is wary of being surrounded by "self-serving" politicians.

Pimentel said Poe told Liberal Party president Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad and party leaders that he is wary being surrounded by politicians with whom he is not familiar and who may have a self-serving or sinister agenda.

"According to Congressman Abad, Poe told them that he did not want to be surrounded by politicians whose agenda he does not know. He is wary of being manipulated by politicians," Pimentel said.

The Mindanao lawmaker expressed hopes that Lacson will not close the door for another round of talks with Poe in an effort to come up with an agreement on how to unite the already fragmented opposition.

Pimentel warned Lacson may find himself marginalized if he insists on running for president despite the preference shown by the united political opposition for Poe as their common standard-bearer for the May 2004 elections.

"I think that if he (Lacson) will run, he will really be marginalized. I’m not sure if it will create such an impact to make a significant dent on the machinery of the opposition," Pimentel said.

The mainstream opposition Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) has been divided into two warring factions, stemming from their different choice for standard-bearer in the 2004 elections.

Angara and Sen. Vicente Sotto III are known supporters of Poe while the other group led by Makati Rep. Agapito Aquino, LDP secretary-general, is backing Lacson.

Three weeks ago, the KNP nominated and proclaimed Poe as its standard-bearer. Last week, the movie actor accepted the nomination.

Angara and Sotto had announced that Poe will file his certificate of candidacy on Monday.

But in accepting the KNP nomination last week, Poe did not say when he would present his candidacy certificate.

As for Lacson, it seems that there is no more turning back for him. He is set to file his certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila, also on Monday. – With Jose Rodel Clapano