‘Let the product speak for itself’

More than ever, movie star Fernando Poe Jr. is eager to show what he can do to govern the country.

Poe said he maintained his campaign tactic of extolling his virtues as an honest and sincere leader, not beholden to anyone.

"I ran because I believe I can really help. I can do a lot of change," Poe told The STAR in an exclusive interview.

Poe claimed he never made promises to the voters during the gruelling three months of the campaign period. He stressed his work as President would speak for itself.

Even when he was in show business, Poe claimed he never actively promoted his movies.

"It’s my product that does the talking," the 64-year old actor said. "If (the people) like it, I continue doing better movies. If elected, it is the product that I will show them."

Shortly before gracing the "miting de avance" in Makati City last night, the presidential candidate of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) told The STAR he is leaving his fate on the electorate to decide tomorrow.

"It’s the people’s choice. Nakasalalay na sa taong bayan kung sino talaga ang gusto nilang piliin," Poe said

In the exclusive interview, Poe gave the rare opportunity in discussing pertinent issues which he said, had been overlooked amid the mudslinging and clouds of doubt generated by black propaganda.

Poe, whose mother was an American citizen, said there is nothing wrong in being an ally of the United States as long as the government upholds the sovereignty of our country and the Constitution.

Poe pointed out that problems on peace and security should be handled solely by the government.

But he conceded that the government would also need the help of its neighbors in the region and the US.

"One thing for sure, we need the help and the aid of the United States," Poe said.

During the rain-drenched miting de avance last night, Poe told the crowd he would "personally deal" the problems of insurgency and secessionism.

He said he would take a "different approach" to achieve lasting peace.

Poe said that during the three-month campaign that ended yesterday, he was inspired and impressed by the resiliency of the people in the countryside. "They can smile and they can laugh and yet they are very poor," he said.

Even as the campaign showed how much the actor is adored by his fans, Poe claims he remains the same person as he was before he decided to throw his hat into the presidential derby.

"They say I should act presidentiable. I cannot," he said. Asked what his impression of a presidentiable, Poe replied: "I don’t know."

Poe said he met several people during the filming of his movies enabling him to understand their causes.

Poe claimed that it was during the campaign period that their causes are played up.

"Minsan talaga, napapabayaan lang and it is only during the campaign days na nabubuksan ang problema," he said.

Poe also discussed issues regarding political dynasties. He said it would be difficult to put an end to these altogether.

He also said the media has "been fair, more or less."

Poe only complained that some of his statements were taken out of context or would not be printed at all.

Poe said he has learned to take his run-ins with the media in stride. "It’s part of the game," he said.

He said he learned from his mother, Bessie Kelley, the virtue of being fair.

"Before you judge any person, she always said you have to hear both sides," he said.

Poe said he told his rabid supporters against believing political gimmicks from the administration along with reports of mass cheating.

He also made an appeal to his rivals, particularly President Arroyo, to drop plans of cheating in the elections and "to think of the people’s welfare."

"Don’t believe speculations," Poe told his supporters. "Huwag masyadong makikinig sa gimik."

Poe said her remained focused during the campaign amid the mudslinging and propaganda in playing up his lack of experience in government and being a high school dropout.

"I don’t feel anything," he said. "You might not believe it, but it’s very, very true."

Political analysts and respected pollsters said one of the reasons that Poe’s ratings suffered is due to perceptions that he had little to say about himself and his platforms of government.

"But nothing could be further from the truth, from Day One, FPJ (Poe’s initials) laid out his platforms and programs," according to Poe’s personal campaign manager Sen. Vicente Sotto III.

Sotto said the perceptions are "the most frustrating, saddest and disgusting aspect of this campaign."

The Last Hurrah

Preparations for the grand rally began early with busloads of supporters inching their way into designated places near the stage since noon yesterday.

The Southern Police District (SPD) deployed more than 250 policemen at the rally site in the intersection of Paseo de Roxas and Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

KNP officials said they selected the area hoping to muster at least 50,000 people in the heart of the country’s primary business district.

Sotto earlier vowed the final campaign blast will be "a show of force" that will "rock Malacañang" that will prove to the administration that the people wanted a change in the government.

Observers expect that there would be little or no change in Poe’s last campaign pitch even as the KNP standard bearer and his running mate Sen. Loren Legarda said there would be "some surprises."

But they ended up being surprised – by the weather. The crowd started to dissipate early last night because of the heavy downpour.

As of last night, only 20,000 people have attended the KNP grand rally because of the rains.

The huge stage with elaborate sound and lighting system cannot be operated because they were drenched after the downpour.

Police had closed off the stretch of Ayala Avenue from Herrera street and Makati Avenue, and length of Paseo de Roxas from Makati Avenue up to De la Rosa street, or covering an area of about 2.5 square kilometers, officials said.

Tents lined up at the back of the stage as holding areas for KNP candidates while giant TV screens were also set up near the edge of the cordoned off area to allow the people to view the event far from the stage.

Four huge generators were also placed on standby in the event of a power failure, which KNP leaders said has become a common occurrence in Poe’s rallies.

Sotto claimed that in almost every province, city and municipality, particularly in Poe’s known bailiwicks, local officials were cowered over threats and intimidation by forces identified with the administration.

Some were reportedly brought by the administration. "We had no money, all we did was to appeal to their conscience," Sotto said. "I hope it works."

Ilocos Norte Rep. Imee Marcos added that some local officials in Pangasinan even received black, "blood-stained" barong.

"The message could not be clearer than that," Marcos said. "Either you are with us (administration) or against us and be wearing that barong." - With reports from Paolo Romero, Evelyn Macairan