Grace Poe, 6 other bets draw support of FPJ group

Reelectionist Senator Grace Poe returns to Pangasinan, the hometown of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., to launch the provincial leg of her campaign on February 19, 2019. PHOTO courtesy of Senator Grace Poe.

A group that supported the late Fernando Poe Jr.’s bid for the presidency has endorsed the candidacy not just of his daughter, reelectionist Sen. Grace Poe, but also of six other candidates for the legislature.

The Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM) on Monday announced its support for independent senatorial candidate Sergio Osmeña III, and Hugpong ng Pagbabago candidates Sen. Sonny Angara, former Senators Bong Revilla and Jinggoy Estrada, former presidential assistant Christopher Go, and former Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

‘Ang Probinsyanos’

FPJPM dubbed Poe “Ang Anak ng Probinsyano” and the rest “Ang Probinsyanos,” in reference to the late actor’s film that has been turned into a top-rating TV show.

Boots Cadsawan, FPJPM president, said the group, which claims a membership of 500,000 nationwide, would vote for only the seven candidates in midterm elections in May to help boost their chances of winning.

Cadsawan said in a phone interview that the candidates were chosen based on the general consensus of the group. Its members were asked who they wanted to support, he said.

Cadsawan also defended the group’s decision to support Revilla and Estrada, both of whom are facing charges over the P10-billion pork barrel scam allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles.

He pointed out that Revilla was recently acquitted of plunder stemming from allegations that he had pocketed kickbacks from Napoles, but a member of his staff in the Senate was convicted.

Graft charges

Revilla, however, is still facing graft charges also in connection with the pork barrel scam.

As for Estrada, his plunder case has yet to be concluded and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Cadsawan said.

“And we think he was the target of selective and political persecution,” he said.

The other candidates FPJPM is backing have good track records, he said.

Poe was not at the endorsement, held at Club Filipino in Greenhills. Her son Brian represented her.

In his message, Brian said his mother should be returned to the Senate because she planned to pursue more legislation that would help the people.