STO. TOMAS, Pangasinan — Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard-bearer Fernando Poe Jr. has called on political leaders to put an end to destructive partisan politics as he urged them to set their personal interests aside and place the welfare of the ordinary Filipino at the top of their concerns.

The gathering was attended by local political stalwarts in vote-rich Pangasinan, including Representatives Mark Cojuangco and Conrado Estrella III of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); City Mayors Amadeo Perez Jr. of Urdaneta and Julian Resuello of San Carlos; municipal mayors Alice Pulido of the town of Anda, who chairs the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in the province; Alfonso Mariano of Malasiqui; Nonato Abrenica of Villasis; Dionisio Lagmay of Sison; Artemio Chan of Pozzorubio; Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr. of Mapandan; and Jose Espino of Bautista.

Rep. Amado Espino Jr., who is affiliated with the administration Lakas-CMD, and Pangasinan Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, chair of the administration party in the province, were also at the meeting.

Sen. Tessie Aquino Oreta and KNP senatorial bet Ernesto Maceda were with Poe during the gathering.

The meeting was part of Poe’s day-long visit to his home province of Pangasinan, his father’s birthplace, where he was warmly welcomed by large throngs of fans and supporters.

The visit also included consultations with students at the Virgen Milagrosa University and the University of Luzon and was capped by a courtesy call on Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Muslim group for Poe

An organization of Muslim Filipinos with over 4,000 members across the country has thrown its support to Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) standard bearer Fernando Poe Jr., saying its members believe that only the united opposition ticket led by FPJ would truly give Mindanao the importance and representation it deserves in government.

In a gathering at the Club Filipino in San Juan, Metro Manila, the Association of Integrated Muslim Sector led by its president, Yusop Macalangcom, gave its full backing to Poe, his runningmate Sen. Loren Legarda, and the entire KNP senatorial slate.

Macalangcom noted that Poe’s decision to field not only one but three representatives of Mindanao in his senatorial ticket demonstrates his "sensitivity to the legitimate concerns of the Muslims and recognition of the value and importance of Muslim representation" in the government.

The KNP’s senatorial ticket includes incumbent Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., former National Youth Commission chairwoman Amina Rasul, and Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, who all hail from Mindanao. Dilangalen and Rasul are Muslims.

Poe assured Muslim Filipinos that Mindanao will get the attention it deserves under an FPJ administration, pointing out that the inclusion of three Mindanaons in the KNP senatorial slate is proof of his strong resolve to address the woes long plaguing the South.

Poe noted, however, that before any administration could restore peace in Mindanao and squarely address its economic woes, it must first restore the people’s faith in its institutions, which is why the core of the KNP campaign platform is to regain the public’s trust and confidence in government.

Poe was accompanied at the gathering by KNP senatorial bets Pimentel, former senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Francisco Tatad, and youth leader Jamby Madrigal, who all pledged to help Poe pursue the united opposition ticket’s vision for Mindanao.

FPJPM legal panel

Freedom, Peace, and Justice Movement (FPJM) national president Manuel Portes announced yesterday the composition of the legal panel that will assist in the disqualification case filed against Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) presidential standard bearer Fernando Poe Jr. before the Commission on Elections.

Portes said lawyer Sixto Brillantes will be joined by FPJM legal panel chief former solicitor general Raul Goco, delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention lawyer Dandy K. Tupaz, and lawyers Julius Raboca, Sol Condenuevo, Cesar Singson, Ed Lontok, Ariel Radovan, Desi Ruaro, Joseph Redelias, Ed Tamondong, and Joshua Pastores.

All these lawyers will file their entry of appearance on Monday, Portes added.

In a related development, Portes warned the public against political mercenaries posing as crusaders, but are actively in the employ of Malacañang.

Portes flayed Malacañang for the upsurge in fabricated documents, the handiwork of individuals who are currying favor and who will collect later from their powerful backers.