FPJ followers should not threaten Supreme Court

We are very glad that Fernando Poe, Jr. has pledged to abide by whatever ruling the Supreme Court makes on the issue of whether he is a natural-born Filipino or not. The Constitution is clear on the matter. Only natural-born citizens can run for the  highest post in the land. No one questions the fact that Fernando Poe, Jr. is a Filipino citizen. The question is whether his parents were Filipino citizens when he has born. Some people maintain that his father was a Spanish citizen and that his mother was an American. Worse, they were not married. In such cases, the illegitimate child takes the citizenship of the mother. The good thing about this case is that the matter will be decided not according to the testimony of witnesses, but by official government documents. We are certain that the Supreme Court will decide the case according to law.

The problem really was never Fernando Poe, Jr. He never made any threats or derogatory remarks against the Supreme Court. It is one of his irresponsible leaders who said that there would be civil unrest if the Supreme Court rules that he is not a natural-born Filipino. Thank God, Poe himself knows better. He knows that the Supreme Court is merely doing its job.

What he should do, however, is to go one step further. He should, as suggested by several Lakas congressmen such as Robert Ace Barbers, Monico Domogan and Prospero Pichay calm his followers who have threatened massive protest. He should also set the example of calmness by steering clear of using tough movie language in his campaign speeches. It is what is agitating his followers.

The other day for instance, he warned that some of his critics "may not see the light of day." That is an indirect death threat. This election would be more peaceful and orderly if such language was not used.

We are also glad that the Supreme Court spokesman has said that the Supreme Court will not be intimidated by any threats from candidates or their followers. Estrada was very popular and his followers are ever loyal. But he was impeached and is now in jail awaiting trial. Fernando Poe should avoid a similar fate. First, he has yet to see if he can possibly be elected to office. We say "possibly" because, first, the Supreme Court will have to rule that he is indeed a natural-born Filipino. He should keep cool and accept whatever is decided on that issue.

We look at Poe’s political followers as a direct extension of his movie cast. Poe’s problem is that he has not had a good feel of his new role. He loses his temper when he does not like the question asked by a reporter. Sometimes he has to be restrained from getting violent. For his own good, we sincerely hope that he gets to understand his new role in real life, that of a presidential candidate.