|
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Anger, grief in Poe funeral
MANILA—-Tens of thousands filled the streets of Manila yesterday for the funeral of Fernando Poe Jr., the actor-turned-presidential candidate who refused to concede the May election.
Authorities had warned mourners not to turn the event into an anti-government rally, as some of Poe’s followers vented their anger at President Arroyo, who defeated Poe in a tight race that the actor and his supporters charged was fraudulent.
Poe, 65, died of a stroke last Dec. 14.
The massive funeral procession, led by a horse-drawn hearse with Poe’s coffin, snaked its way along a five-kilometer stretch through the capital’s major thoroughfares to the North Cemetery, where his widow, actress Susan Roces, leaned over the body for the last time and wiped away tears as the actor was lowered into the ground.
Crowds shouted Poe’s name and waved posters of the man who came to symbolize the aspirations of the country’s poor.
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said authorities had “credible intelligence” of an “evolving conspiracy” to turn the procession into an anti-government rally and warned against violence.
But police said the funeral went peacefully.
Grieving fans
“Our idol, our president is dead. And his victory was stolen,” said Lani Beato, a 42-year-old housewife. “That is why we are grieving with a heavy heart.”
Hours earlier, former president Joseph Estrada addressed a packed Sto. Domingo Church, where Poe’s body was displayed in a glass-covered coffin.
“I was robbed of my position as president and FPJ was robbed of his victory as president,” he said.
He took a dig at Arroyo, a US-educated economist, saying, “We shared the same belief that a college degree, a master’s or Ph.D. in economics will not solve the basic problems of the country if you don’t have a heart and feeling for the masses.”
Poe had hoped to get elected as Estrada did, by merging his movie stardom with promises of a better life for the legions of disenfranchised.
Estrada, now on trial for the capital offense of plunder, was allowed out of detention Tuesday to visit his sick mother and attend Poe’s wake. But a court barred him from the funeral, citing security concerns.
Rise to fame
One of Poe’s best-remembered screen roles was the true story of a teacher who became a rebel leader, fighting greedy landlords in the 1920s, when the Philippines was still a US colony.
A veteran of more than 200 action films, Poe’s forte was the fist-swinging underdog hero. He was a five-time winner of the Famas best actor award.
But he may be remembered even more for his brief foray into politics.
The political novice and high school dropout said he believed he could unite the nation because “I am not a politician.”
Two months after the election, Poe asked the Supreme Court to nullify Arroyo’s victory, accusing the president of massive electoral fraud.
Arroyo’s camp denied any wrongdoing, but the opposition has vowed to keep up the fight.(AP)
(December 23, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
