Group launches Noynoy for President Movement

MANILA, Philippines - A group that helped in the presidential campaign of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. announced yesterday it would mobilize nationwide support for the candidacy of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Manny Portes, chairman of the Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement or FPJM, announced the launch of the Sulong Noynoy (SNN) movement in Quezon City.

“The FPJM believes that from among the numerous aspirants for the position of president, Senator Noynoy is most qualified to become president and lead the nation from the depths of corruption, chaos and poverty,” he said.

But Poe’s daughter Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares said her father’s political supporters have nothing to do with Portes’ group or with his new advocacy.

Rex Cortez, spokesman for volunteers for FPJ, also disowned Portes and appealed to his group not to use the name of the late popular actor in its political agenda.

Cortez said Portes belongs to a breakaway faction of an FPJ supporters’ movement which has been inactive since after the 2004 elections.

Portes, however, clarified that his group was among the more than 100 organizations that helped mobilize support for Poe when he ran for president against Arroyo.

Poe lost to Mrs. Arroyo allegedly due to massive cheating. Allegations of poll fraud almost caused the impeachment of Mrs. Arroyo.

Portes said that Noynoy has to work hard to ensure clean and honest elections.

Portes also said his group is open to forging alliances with other opposition parties to insure victory in the election.

He also denied reports that they had asked former President Joseph Estrada to back out from the presidential race to give way to Noynoy. But he said the former president and the Aquino family have strong political ties and President Estrada may eventually give way to Noynoy.

“Former President Estrada is aware of the clamor of the people,” he said.

“Since Tita Cory stepped down as president, Philippine democracy has constantly been threatened,” Portes said. “With her recent demise, we Filipino people must never forget her greatness and must continue with her struggle to safeguard our democracy.”

Poe-Llamanzares said the FPJPM will choose a candidate who is honest, has good track record, and is capable of inspiring the Filipino people.

“Definitely the candidate is not an ally of the administration,” she stressed.

Poe-Llamanzares also said she is unsure if her group will support the presidential bid of his father’s best friend, former President Estrada.

She urged all presidential aspirants to bare their platforms to the public.

Calls for Noynoy to run for president mounted after his mother’s funeral which was attended by hundreds of thousands.

In Angeles City, a close local political ally of Mrs. Arroyo’s has declared support for Noynoy’s candidacy.

“I will openly back the presidential candidacy of Noynoy,” Pampanga 1st district Rep. Carmelo Lazatin said at a recent gathering of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) here.

Lazatin’s district covers vote-rich Angeles City.

“I owe President Cory my being in politics. And my sense of gratitude inspires me to support her son for the presidency, as I believe he is very qualified,” he said. – With Ding Cervantes, Helen Flores