FPJ supporters throw support behind Noynoy

A group that supported the presidential bid of the late action star Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004 on Sunday threw its support behind Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III. Manny Portes, national chairman of the Freedom, Peace and Justice (FPJ) Movement, said they would also urge former President Joseph Estrada to give way to Aquino in next year’s national elections. Portes said they would formally express their support for Aquino during the launching of Sulong Noynoy Movement (SNM) on Monday. The launching would be followed by a press conference in Burger King, West Avenue in Quezon City. “We feel that Senator Noynoy is the best man to continue FPJ’s struggle during the 2004 elections," Portes told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. The group believed that Poe was “robbed" of the presidency in the 2004 elections by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He placed second in the presidential race. Poe, whom Estrada endorsed in 2004, died on December 14 that year at the age of 65. He was honored as Philippine National Artist on May 24, 2006. Portes said like Poe, Aquino represents good, honest, transparent governance. “That’s why we’re supporting him," he said. Portes said they arrived at their decision to support Aquino after several consultations with their members, particularly in Mindanao. He said after Monday’s launching of SNM, they would march to Aquino’s residence in Times Street in Quezon City to personally submit their manifesto to the senator, who is currently out of town. As of Sunday night, Aquino, the only son of the late President Corazon “Cory" Aquino and slain Senator Benigno “Ninoy" Aquino Jr., is in his home province of Tarlac as part of his "retreat" to seek divine guidance for his plans in the 2010 elections. Calls for Aquino to run for president grew after his mother’s death last August 1 due to colon cancer. Last Tuesday, his party mate at the Liberal Party (LP), Senator Manuel “Mar" Roxas II, announced he is abandoning his presidential bid to support Aquino. Aquino had earlier said he would announce his plans for 2010 within the month. - GMANews.TV