MANILA, Philippines—Grace Poe-Llamanzares said proclaiming her father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., as the 14th Philippine president might not be a practical thing to do, but still, it would be nice if he were recognized as the true winner of the 2004 presidential election.
“It would be great if he’d be proclaimed President, but we’re being practical here,” she told the Inquirer after attending a Mass Saturday at the Manila North Cemetery on what would have been her father’s 73rd birthday.
“We’re not sure if the pieces of evidence that would prove this are still intact,” she added. “Maging simbolo man lang ito (acknowledgement of Poe’s victory) na itinama natin ang mali. Magkaroon lang ng note in history that FPJ (Poe) really won as president.”
Poe’s best friend, former president Joseph Estrada, attended the Mass along with Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Representatives Teddy Casiño and Rufus Gutierrez.
Llamanzares said the family normally celebrates Poe’s birthday privately, but she decided to organize this gathering for his supporters.
“We discourage celebrations during his birthday, kasi kapag namayapa na, death anniversary na. This is just to tell FPJ’s supporters not to forget that there are people like General Gudani, who have been fighting for the truth ever since,” she said.
At the height of the “Hello Garci” scandal in 2005, the commander of the First Marine Brigade, Brigadier General Francisco Gudani, along with Colonel Alexander Balutan, testified in a Senate investigation on alleged cheating in the 2004 elections. They were later barred by the Arroyo government from attending subsequent hearings.
With the latest developments on the election fraud issue, Llamanzares said there was cause for celebration.
“Thanks to the President (Benigno Aquino) and to these people. I guess there is really a tipping point,” she said. “In the filing of the resignation of one senator and the proclamation of another, one would think that we’re not crazy after all for wanting to review what happened in past elections. Ang kahulugan nito nananaig pa rin ang napili ng tao, kahit ilang taon na ang nakalipas, kahit iba na ang nakaupo.”
Llamanzares was referring to the resignation of Juan Miguel Zubiri from the Senate on August 3. Pimentel was proclaimed shortly after as the winner of the 12th senatorial slot in the 2007 elections.
“Pimentel is a symbol of hope for us. Balikan natin ang naging resulta ng eleksyon para naman magkaroon ng tamang pagtatapos,” said Llamanzares, who is chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
Meanwhile, Estrada urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to help in effecting change.
“This will make FPJ happy,” he said. “After the elections, FPJ came to me. He was close to tears when he told me, ‘I couldn’t believe the military did this to me.’ He felt betrayed.”
Estrada added: “Lumabas na kayo. Defend the true President. There’s nothing to fear now. Let’s all work together to fight for the truth. This is not a country of cheaters.”
Estrada also told Casiño to “carry on with the good work.” Casiño, along with Bayan Muna Representative Neri Javier Colmenares, filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the controversial “Mayuga Report” that cleared the so-called “Hello Garci generals” of fraud in the 2004 elections.
“We will be right behind you. The people deserve to know the truth. Election fraud should be considered a heinous crime,” Estrada said. “Soon FPJ will be vindicated, as well as the people who voted for him.”
“I’m thankful to those who still remember FPJ. I’m glad his friends are still here to support him, to continue his search for truth,” said Llamanzares. Poe died in December 2004 following a stroke.
Llamanzares said her mother, Susan Roces, did not attend the Mass because the veteran actress had wanted to visit Poe’s tomb in private. “She prefers to come here in the evening when there’s not much people. She wants FPJ for herself,” Llamanzares said.
She added that Roces has been feeling “depressed” of late, “especially since these issues started coming out.”
“She is ready to fight for justice and truth, but because her partner is no longer around, she feels she is battling this all by herself. We’re thankful for people who care for her,” Llamanzares said
For her part, Llamanzares said, she longed for her dad and wished he were still around. “I miss the confidence of having him around. I miss the feeling of security, his hug. He was very thoughtful and loving. He was quiet often pero malalim ang pagmamahal.”