Poe, Legarda file candidacy papers

Action star Fernando Poe Jr (FPJ), 64, long dubbed as a movie icon, and senator Loren Legarda, 44, registered as presidential and vice presidential candidates of the newly forged Coalition of Nationally united Pilipinos (or KNP).

As early as six in the morning, about 3,000 of their supporters stayed at Manila's Plaza Roma where they held a programme for their candidates. It was near the office of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

The followers wore white T-shirts with red and yellow colours. They were bussed in from Manila's depressed areas and were like movie fans. They happily mingled with movie actors and actresses, including stuntmen, who were also at the COMELEC office to show their support for Poe.

Confident of his debonair looks and popularity, Poe waved to his supporters from the balcony of the COMELEC's office, before he and Legarda registered as candidates of the opposition.

Their fans chanted "FPJ, Loren, FPJ, Loren." Poe, an ageing action star who has been called the country's Arnold Schwarznegger, was not in his usual dark glasses and blue jeans. Instead, he wore barong tagalog, a formal Philippine attire.

His wife, actress Susan Roces, was in stunning apple green shift dress. Supporters hailed her as their first lady.

Legarda, on the other hand, was in tight blue jeans and white polo shirt, accented by an ethnic kerchief, which was meant to attract young voters.

Poe and Legarda's entourage came from nearby Manila Hotel where they stayed overnight in preparation for their registration as candidates of the opposition.

In the morning, a traffic jam ensued, work stopped in nearby areas, but everything stirred at the COMELEC office. The street that led to the COMELEC was full of Poe and Legarda's posters. Poe's portrait carried his family name, which was made into an acronym to mean Peace on Earth. Legarda's photo was in green background, herpolitical colour.

A popular folk song entitled "Leon Leron Sinta (my love)," was made into a campaign song for Legarda, with the following lyrics, "Loren, Loren, sinta (Loren my love)." Legarda was overjoyed, saying she finally accepted Poe's offer for the opposition to win. She is second in popularity to senator Noli de Castro, the vice presidential candidate of President Gloria Arroyo.

The two presented seven senatorial candidates, including old names such as former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, among others.Poe did not give a statement when asked about his platform, the members of his economic team, and a complete list of his senatorial candidates.

A group of men whisked him away from COMELEC's hall as soon as he and Legarda allowed photographers to take their photos after they had filed their certificates of candidacy.

At the same time, the country's businessmen were not overjoyed because Poe has no experience at all in governance and public service. Senator Vicente Sotto was the only high-ranking opposition senator around to witness the event at the COMELEC. Senator Edgardo Angara, head of the Fight for Democratic Philippines (Fight or LABAN), who had pushed for Poe's candidacy, was absent.

Many believe that the split in the opposition has become deeper and more final as Poe and Legarda registered as the opposition's candidates. A faction of the LDP had endorsed Lacson's candidacy, following his registration as the opposition's presidential candidate last week.

In response to Lacson's move, Angara forged a new alliance of opposition, to pave the way for Poe's entry as the opposition's presidential timbre. Meanwhile, the COMELEC recognised KNP as an opposition, a sign that the LDP, a member of thecoalition, has lost its power.

Former president Joseph Estrada, also a movie star, has given has given his support to Poe. But the latter has tried to distance himself from such a benefactor.

Estrada was ousted in January 2001, by a military-backed street pro-tests that were launched bythose who were angry at the abrupt ending of his impeachment trial in the senate on December 2000.

Popularity surveys said Poe remained a front runneramong the country‚s four presidential candidates.

Former education secretary Raul Roco, Arroyo, and Lacson came in as second, third, and fourth most popular candidates.

– With inputs from Cher Jimenez