PIMENTEL URGED FPJ TO CLEAR HIS CITIZENSHIP QUESTION

MANILA, OCTOBER 27, 2003  (MALAYA) Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. yesterday urged Fernando Poe Jr. to clear questions that he is an American citizen and therefore not qualified to run for president. Which may be a non-starter at all.

Poe's mother was an American, Elizabeth ("Bessie") Kelley. His father, Fernando Poe Sr., was Filipino.

While Newsbreak Magazine says that Poe was born in Manila, it has been alleged that Poe, whose birth name is Roland Allan Poe, was born in Guam and therefore was considered a US citizen by reason of birth. But he is not known to have exercised his right to US citizenship when he reached the age of 18.

"It is only proper to ascertain that an aspirant for president is free from any legal impediment," Pimentel said.

Poe has not made a decision about 2004. He made a brief appearance at the anniversary celebration of the Filipinos for Peace, Freedom Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM) at the Cuneta Astrodome Saturday but only thanked his followers. An announcement on his decision is expected after the All Saints' day weekend.

Pimentel advised Poe not to procrastinate on his political plan, saying this could unnecessarily hamper the opposition's selection process on its standard bearer.

Sen. Robert Barbers, who has offered himself to be the administration's vice presidential bet, said he was not convinced Poe would run.

"After assessing the affair for FPJ, I am 99 percent sure that he will not run. However, there is a remaining open percent that will prove me wrong," Barbers said.

He added: "The number of people who attended the affair coupled by the pomp and pageantry whipped up by his supporters last Saturday was enough to churn FPJ's emotion in order to give in to their request. However, it never happened."

An indication that Poe is being taken seriously by Malacaņang is the statement of presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye virtually dismissing him, saying President Arroyo "is too busy to think about Poe" and efforts to convince him to run.

Another was the warning aired by Heherson Alvarez, Lakas spokesman and presidential adviser on overseas Filipino communities, that Poe may only be "used" by vested interests. He said President Joseph Estrada was one such victim.

"Hindi naman kasalanan ni presidente Erap ang binibintang sa kanya. Ginamit lang siya ng kung sinu-sinong mga salbaheng nakapaligid sa kanya," he said. (JP Lopez and Jocelyn Montemayor)