Fernando Poe Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Monday approved on second reading a bill that would rename Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City after late movie star Fernando Poe Jr.
During the plenary session, senators passed on second reading House Bill No. 7499, which initially sought to rename Del Monte Avenue after Poe.
“The Del Monte Avenue, traversing Barangtys Nayong Kanluran, Paltok, Paraiso, Del Monte, Damayan, Masambong, Taiwan, Manresa, Siena, St. Peter, San Jose and N.S. Amoranto, located in Legislative District I of Quezon City, is hereby renamed as Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue,” the bill read.
However, Senate President Vicente Sotto III introduced an amendment to Section 1 of the bill, which was accepted by the measure’s sponsor, Senator Manny Pacquiao.
The bill now reads as: The Roosevelt Ave, located in the legislative district of Quezon City, is hereby renamed as Fernando Poe Jr. Ave.
“It has come to our attention that there is really very strong clamor from the people there and also the religious sector that there is a very historical reason for having Del Monte Avenue called Del Monte Avenue,” Sotto said in explaining his amendment.
“And we looked at the history and indeed, they are correct. But in the same area, and as a matter of fact, Roosevelt Avenue as we know it now is really the residence of Fernando Poe Sr. That is where Fernando Poe Jr. grew up,” he added.