Poe throws his hat in

Fernando Poe Jr., local film icon and deposed president Joseph Estrada's close friend, has decided to run for president in 2004, a source close to the 64-year-old actor told Gulf News yesterday.

"He is definitely running. The decision to run has long been settled. It is just a matter of when the official announcement will be made to achieve the maximum effect on the public," said Herman Tiu Laurel, leader of the Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM).

The ageing screen gunslinger had been projecting an image as the reluctant politician, and is apparently trying to turn his lack of experience in public service into a campaign platform.

Laurel said Poe, who is considered the local equivalent of American actor John Wayne, is convinced that he would make a good president.

Yesterday, Poe was quoted by the daily Philippine Star in an exclusive report as saying that he is not "beholden to anybody and I am not corrupt."

"I had nothing to do with politics. No political ambition whatsoever. But the clamour was there," Poe said as he referred to a signature campaign waged by supporters to solicit some two million signatures urging him to run for president.

Poe has also been quoted in the Star report that he is aiming to be the candidate of the unified opposition, which is heavily identified with Estrada.

Estrada, a former actor-turned-politician was ousted by an uprising in January 2001 amid allegations of corruption.

But with or without the opposition's support, Poe will still push through with his plans, Laurel said.

"FPJ (Poe) is currently deep in negotiations with the opposition over the issue of taking him into their coalition. But in case the talks do not follow through, he is ready to take on the elections as an independent candidate," Laurel said.

Aside from Poe, senator Panfilo Lacson is also bent on securing the opposition's support.

Rumours have been surfacing in Manila over a possible Poe-Lacson tandem with the latter running for vice president. However, in an interview in northern Baguio City, the former police chief-turned-senator said he would settle for nothing less than running for the country's top elective post.

"It is out of my consideration," Lacson said when asked by reporters if he is considering running for vice president.

Poe commands a huge following among Filipinos, most of whom have seen the several dozens of actions films he had starred in and directed throughout his almost five-decade-old screen career.

"As far back as September 2002, I was already coming out in the surveys, and I was the person least likely to be a presidential candidate," Poe was quoted by the Star report.

Political observers said that although Poe's candidacy would have an effect on plans by incumbent President Gloria Arroyo to seek a fresh mandate in 2004, its impact will be felt more on the fortunes of the opposition if Lacson proceeds with his plans.