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Sunday, February 22, 2004
FVR asks: Back Arroyo, reform
MANILA—Former president Fidel Ramos strongly backed President Arroyo in the May presidential elections, as he assailed her chief rival, movie star Fernando Poe.
In a presidential palace statement, Ramos, who is credited with spurring economic growth during his term from 1992 to 1998, said the election of Arroyo will ensure continuity in national planning and reforms in governance, while that of Poe would reverse the country’s economic gains.
He criticized Arroyo’s rival candidates, saying that “the `doom scenarios’ and half-baked solutions of self-proclaimed messiahs and instant heroes will plunge the entire country back to square one.”
Ramos did not identify the rivals but was apparently referring to Poe, who owes his fame to 50 years of playing heroic figures in movies.
Poe’s campaigners have been playing up his heroic image and depicting him as a potential savior of the nation, while warning that civil unrest could break out if a petition to disqualify Poe from the race—now pending before the Supreme Court—succeeds.
The latest surveys show that Poe has an eight-percentage-point advantage over Arroyo, but the business community is concerned about his lack of qualifications.
The movie star has so far failed to reveal his economic platform, worsening the uncertainty, resulting in the local currency falling to record lows.
Work harder
In a radio interview, Poe attempted to deflect criticism over his lack of qualifications, saying “we will work doubly hard (in office) instead of just making promises in this campaign.”
For her part, President Arroyo mocked the movie star for taking a course in economics, saying candidates without the necessary experience would scare off foreign investors.
“This campaign is about clout and experience, not getting a crash course in economics governance,” she said in a statement.
Asked to explain her comments, presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye later told reporters that “running this country is no joke. It is not enough to have a crash course.”
Poe unveiled a 19-member team of economic advisers last week to counter criticism over his lack of experience in public office or business.
Crash course
One of the advisers, prominent free-market economist Bernardo Villegas, later said Poe, 64, is now wading through economics textbooks in a bid to reassure wary voters.
Arroyo, 56, who holds a PhD in economics from the University of the Philippines, said that Filipinos have the most to gain by returning her to power.
“With a strong international reputation, economic expertise and deep governing experience, I can deliver the change we need,” she said.
“Where our opponents will weaken international ties and drive away international investors, we shall continue to maintain the high international standing that has attracted billions of dollars in investments that have created new, high-paying jobs.”
Arroyo—who came to power in 2001 on the back of a popular revolt that ousted popular movie star President Joseph Estrada—trails Poe in the latest opinion polls. (AFP)
(February 22, 2004 issue)
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