Senator wants FPJ portrait at Palace if proven winner in 2004 polls

If an investigation into fraud in the 2004 elections will show the late Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) and not Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was the winner, a senator wants Poe’s portrait placed in Malacañang’s Heroes Hall as a “symbolic" act. Sen. Francis Escudero made the suggestion Sunday as he noted portraits of presidents of the Republic who won the mandate to lead are enshrined in the hall. “Kung mapapatunayang siya ang nanalo, kahit ang simpleng symbolic act na lamang ng paglagay ng kanyang portrait sa Heroes Hall ng Malacañang kung saan nakalagay ang litrato ng mga nanalo at naging presidente ng bansa," Escudero said in an interview on dzBB radio. However, Escudero admitted there is not much else to be done as an investigation cannot nullify Arroyo’s term from 2004 to 2010. Also, he said Arroyo’s portrait cannot even be removed from Heroes Hall because she had served as president from 2001 to 2004 following the ouster of her predecessor Joseph Estrada. Malacañang was noncommittal on Escudero’s suggestion, saying it would rather wait for the outcome of an investigation into the alleged poll fraud in 2004. “At this point we will have to wait ano ang magiging mangyari (what will happen), on how the saga will unfold," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Poe died in December 2004, months after claiming he was cheated of victory in the presidential race. Claims of cheating in the 2004 elections have been revived with the resurfacing of former elections supervisor in Maguindanao Lintang Bedol. Arroyo’s spokesman, defeated senatorial candidate Raul Lambino, questioned the credibility of Bedol in making such claims. Cannot undo past Escudero and Sen. Loren Legarda both admitted even an investigation cannot undo Arroyo’s term from 2004 to 2010. “Kahit sweldo niya di pwede bawiin dahil nagtrabaho siya (Even Arroyo’s salary as president cannot be revoked because she really did put in work as president)," Escudero said. For her part, Legarda said she had “moved on" but is interested in helping the investigation because she has copies of some of the election materials. Legarda was Poe’s running mate and was defeated in the 2004 vice presidential race by Arroyo’s running mate Noli de Castro. She was also defeated in the 2010 vice presidential race. “I am interested in helping in the investigation. The election materials are with me and my lawyer," she said in a separate interview on dzBB. Still, she said there is no legal process to undo the past. “Wala nang legal na proseso para ibalik ang nakaraan (There is no legal way to bring back the past)," she said. Legarda said what can be done for now is to correct the wrongs and make sure future elections do not suffer from such fraud. On the other hand, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said it would be better if the matter were left to law enforcement agencies to file charges against those linked to cheating in 2004. — LBG, GMA News