JEDDAH, 30 October 2003 — A group of Filipinos in Jeddah yesterday appealed to action movie “king” Fernando Poe Jr. to ignore those who keep egging him on to run in next year’s Philippine presidential election.

In an open letter circulated via the Internet, the unnamed group said that while they have very high regard for the actor popularly known as FPJ or “Da King,” they believe he is not prepared for the most important public office in the land.

“If you love your country, we urge you, please reconsider this decision. We all know you will win because of your tremendous popularity as a movie hero. You have earned the esteem and admiration of the Filipino people such that to many, you have come to represent a promise of hope,” the group said.

They said they did not have any doubt that FPJ’s primary concern lies in the masses,

“However, this is not enough. The task of governing our country that is beset with problems is much more complex today that it was many years ago,” they added.

The letter, which had 19 signatories, some of them known to Arab News, urged other OFWs to write their own letters to FPJ to dissuade him from going into politics.

They were Marami dela Fuente, Maripaz Aquino, Nanette Saenz, Didoy Fullon, Gella Cariasco, Henrietta Francisco, Juan Pablo Garcia, Rey Caringal, Luz Blanco, Cris Santillan, Nery Nobleza, Ding and Nonong Contreras, Rolly and Pining Lirio, Eric Cui, Rey Ramos, Jesse Batingal, Arturo Cruz.

“At this moment in our history we need a leader who can gain the confidence, respect and trust of the international community. This is paramount. An increase in foreign investments is necessary. It is imperative that we stimulate our capital market with a platform of government that is as specific as it is credible not only to our people but to the world as a whole,” the letter said.

In an interview with Arab News, a spokesman of the group said they have no political affiliation and their only objective was to make sure that FPJ “will not be blinded by individuals who are only after their personal agenda.”

He said they found the political maneuverings at home disgusting.

“Ours is a weak economy and the next president will have to hit the ground running without falling flat on his/her face,” Rey Ramos, spokesman of the group said.

He said FPJ should learn a lesson from his best friend, the equally popular former movie star Joseph “Erap” Estrada, who had ample experience as a politician and executive but who got devoured by the politics of popularity that he exploited.

Estrada was kicked out of office in a popular uprising in January 2001 amid charges that he illegally amassed millions of dollars in just 18 months in power.

“He (FPJ) can better serve the country by lending his popularity to support the initiative of the government as well as the private sector that will propel us forward,” Ramos added.

His group also urged OFWs who have registered as absentee voters to vote intelligently in the May 2004 Philippine election and not to base their decisions on who is more popular.