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Monday, July 04, 2005
Susan Roces eyed to lead opposition
MANILA -- Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Sunday said movie actress Susan Roces, widow of the late Fernando Poe Jr., could be the common political figure needed by the opposition to rally against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Pimentel said the opposition has gained not only a crowd drawer but also an intelligent leader in Roces.
He lauded Poe widow's wise move to actively take part in the oust-Arroyo movement.
He said the entry of Roces spells more troubles for the President. Roces is widely respected not only as a movie actress but also as an emerging spokesperson of the millions of followers of her late husband who was "cheated in last year's presidential elections", he added.
"In addition to being a pretty face in the movie industry, she (Roces) has the capacity to mobilize warm bodies coming from the ranks of the followers of her late husband, and also from the ranks of her own fans," he said.
The senator added that Roces, in her public pronouncements and media interviews, has showed that she has the brains and a sharp grasp of national issues.
"Her mere presence is enough reason to draw the people to the demonstrations against the President," he said.
Pimentel said the actress was merely expressing prevailing public outrage when she rejected the President's public apology for making indiscreet phone calls to a Commission on Elections (Comelec) official believed to be former commissioner Virgilio Garcillano at the height of the canvassing of presidential votes last year.
He said Roces was very discerning in seeing through the selfish motive behind the President's gesture, which is to enable her to save her presidency without confessing her guilt.
"In the process of her apology, she peddled additional lies. That is why the apology was rejected by Susan. Susan made a correct response. It is difficult to forgive a person who is not sincere," he added.
Pimentel assailed the President for not even bothering to identify the Comelec official whom she had called up at least 15 times while the counting and canvassing of votes were ongoing.
"The effect of the omission is to put a radioactive cloud of doubt over Comelec officialdom," Pimentel said.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada said he would support Roces should she finally decide to go against Arroyo.
"I'll be supportive of her. It's high time the opposition unite. If it's going to be Ms. Roces, then so be it," Estrada said.
Last week, another opposition senator Panfilo Lacson threw in his support behind Roces. (JPM/Sunnex)
(July 4, 2005 issue)
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