Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III drew more support on Monday as allies of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. and former President Joseph Estrada announced their backing for him in the May 2010 presidential election. At the same time, the leaders of the Freedom, Peace and Justice Movement (FPJM) hinted that Estrada should withdraw from the presidential race to ensure Aquino's victory. In a press conference, the FPJM launched its “Sulong (forward) Noynoy Movement” and vowed to help Aquino in his campaign to become the next President of the Philippines. The FPJM has some 100,000 members, mostly professionals throughout the country. It was one of the many organizations that supported Poe in his battle against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the 2004 presidential election. Poe lost in the presidential race to Arroyo amid allegations of massive cheating from the Arroyo camp. He subsequently filed a formal protest against Arroyo. But his death from a stroke in December 2004 prompted the Commission on Elections to dismiss his electoral complaint. “The FPJM believes that from among the numerous aspirants for the position of the President of the Republic of the Philippines in the forthcoming 2010 national elections, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III is the most qualified to become president of the Republic of the Philippines and lead the nation from the depths of corruption, chaos and poverty,” said Manny Portes, FPJM national chairman. “The FPJM sees the parallelism between its struggles during the 2004 elections to what Senator Noynoy will face during the 2010 elections – ensuring clean and honest elections knowing its true results, and installing a transparent, accountable and good government,” Portes added. Portes clarified that they are not urging Estrada to abandon his reelection bid. “We are not asking President Estrada to quit because we do not have the right to force the withdrawal of any candidate. But we do believe that President Estrada truly loves his country and that he knows what's best for his people,” he said. “We are Estrada's allies but right now, we believe that Noynoy is the best man to lead our nation. We need a rallying and unifying leader and we believe that is Noynoy,” he said. Portes said he is confident they would be able to rally FPJM's 100,000 members all over the country to help Aquino in his candidacy. After the press conference, the members of the group who all wore yellow t-shirt went to the house of Aquino in Quezon City to hand their manifesto of support.
