News Analysis

‘Da King’ and the Kingmaker
Movie actor joins race for the Philippine presidency

Fernando Poe Jr.’s hero image in his films for several decades now and his expressed “love of country” are symbols that may be etched on his election platform and the mountain of promises during the campaign. But as had been in the case of Estrada and other past presidents, there will always be trade-offs and concessions and those who were instrumental in catapulting these figures to power will have their interests entrenched first in the new presidency.

By Bobby Tuazon
Bulatlat.com

Anybody vying for the country’s highest government position is expected to say what he or she is running for. Of course this may only be wishing for the stars considering that past elections have shown you don’t need to have a clear platform because what counts in the end is “popularity” or “name recall.” In the current presidential race, incumbent President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is way ahead of the pack of aspirants as she has been touring the country since she came into power early 2001. For the past nine months alone, she has conducted more than 100 provincial sorties on the pretext of presidential performance. But if recent surveys are to be believed, her campaign style may not be enough to bring her the votes come May 2004.

In the heat of the oust-Estrada movement in late 2000, then Vice President Macapagal-Arroyo resigned from the cabinet as social welfare secretary and gave a mouthful of promises including making the land reform program pro-peasant, to review the country’s free trade commitments as well as “special ties” with the United States. Right after taking power, she took the reverse position on those issues and in the process has made herself the target of another campaign seeking her resignation.

If however the presidential elections are to be decided on issues, Macapagal-Arroyo, who will campaign on economic performance, will be voted out for having ruined the economy irreversibly.

Former Sen. Raul Roco, another presidential contender, voted against the ratification of the controversial Visiting Force Agreement (VFA) with the United States and supported the move to oust Estrada. He is known, however, to be all-out for free trade and other anti-people policies and his record has been tainted by allegations of corruption while serving as education secretary under Macapagal-Arroyo. Yet, for all these, he is reported to be topping in presidential surveys at least until last week.

Roco, however, remains mum on many issues although he is expected to tout about his clean record when takes the campaign trail.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson was the police general who, about three years ago, said that he hates politics and hates politicians. But he admitted that Ferdinand Marcos is his idol. The Kuratong Baleleng rubout and other cases pointing to his cold-blooded treatment of crime suspects and questionable wealth will haunt him in his presidential bid. His hard sell TV commercials project him as a no-nonsense politician out to shoot corruption and criminality out of the country. Authoritarian rule is not remote in his presidency.

FPJ

Among the list of presidentiables, movie king Fernando Poe, Jr.’s (FPJ) announcement to run for president had all the elements of a coup. Until Nov. 26 at Manila Hotel when he finally announced his availability as a presidential candidate, nobody was entertaining him as a serious candidate.

For a number of reasons, the action king’s candidacy has been received coldly with those opposed citing his lack of experience and competence. Some Filipinos who voted for Joseph Estrada in 1998 said they have had enough of actors as president. His entry into the electoral arena, others also believe, will further split the “United Opposition” which will choose early December who between Poe and Lacson would be its common presidential bet.

Poe’s supporters however see their candidate (known to them as “Da King”) as being different from Estrada citing the specious reason that the fact that he is not of a politician’s mold makes him clean, moral and incorruptible. Blend this with his supposed popularity and you have a sure winner.

Yet the veteran actor has said nothing about what he intends to do if he’s indeed elected president. Quite disappointing for a popular figure because he could have used the occasion at the Manila Hotel to declare his vision and capture bigger media attention. His silence tends to confirm speculations that, given the fact that Poe has no base of support – except maybe the movie industry - let alone campaign machinery, somebody else is behind his candidacy.

Reports say that businessman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., an acknowledged kingmaker, is bankrolling Poe’s candidacy and that in particular he has offered some $1 billion for his campaign. It was also Cojuangco who, in 1992, caused Estrada to give up his presidential bid in favor of being his (Cojuangco’s) vice presidential running mate. Cojuangco lost but Estrada won paving the way for his presidency in 1998 which the businessman also supported.

Aside from Cojuangco, Estrada and the Marcoses are expected to also go for Poe.

United Opposition

Initially, however, Poe has denied his candidacy is being supported by any business or traditional political group and said he would submit himself to the nomination process of the United Opposition led by Sen. Edgardo Angara and former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, both allies of Estrada and Cojuangco.

Popularity may be a major asset of Poe but popularity alone cannot deliver the votes. Considering the formidable machinery and government resources that will be mobilized by Macapagal-Arroyo’s camp for the coming elections, Poe needs the financial and party machinery to translate his popularity into votes in order to beat his opponents.

Poe’s hero image in his films for several decades now and his expressed “love of country” are symbols that may be etched on his election platform and mountain of promises during the campaign. He, like any other candidate, will make promises. Was it not Estrada – Poe’s best friend - who presented himself as pro-poor and who promised food, jobs and housing? But as had been in the case of Estrada and other past presidents, there will always be trade-offs and concessions and those who were instrumental in catapulting these figures to power will have their interests entrenched first in the new presidency.

Sure the action star may – and not necessarily will - win the presidency but there will always be bigger winners. Bulatlat.com

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