FPJ could learn from Al Gore

FERNANDO Poe Jr. (FPJ) has been traveling all over the Philippines denouncing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) as a "bogus president" even though the final election results show that she won by more than a million votes. He has become increasingly more strident in declaring himself the duly elected president of the republic as he rallies his political backers in the Philippine Congress to prevent the proclamation of President Macapagal by the June 30 constitutional deadline. He is now actively and openly engaged in efforts to undermine or even overthrow the Macapagal government.

Perhaps because FPJ has never known defeat in any of his films, he does not know how to act the part of a gracious loser. Acting like a spoiled brat who takes the ball home if he doesn't like the outcome of the game, FPJ is determined to plunge the country into a national political crisis if he is not allowed to play the role of president.

In this tantrum fit, FPJ is being aided and abetted by another defeated presidential candidate, Brother Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus in Lord (JIL) Bangon Filipinas political party, who foolishly continues to insist that he was cheated of 10 million votes. Brother Eddie threatens to rally his two million supporters to Luneta to march to Malacañang.

Whether wittingly or not, FPJ and Brother Eddie are fanning the flames of anarchy and civil unrest, which will undoubtedly be exploited by the New People's Army, the Muslim secessionists and terrorists, and military adventurists and opportunists.

Like a perfect storm, this political crisis is occurring right smack dab in the middle of a severe economic crisis sparked by huge spikes in the prices of oil, gas, and allied petroleum products. As columnist Teddy Benigno narrates, "transport rates are steeply rising. Everything. Power. Water. Food. Clothes, Tuition fees.. School materials. Electricity. Movies. Leisure. There are five million jobless. The unemployment rate is now a precarious 14 per cent. The peso can depreciate to 60 against the dollar soon."

If it's not too late, I would recommend that FPJ and Brother Eddie and their rabid followers and supporters pull back a bit from the precipice, take a deep breath, smell the flowers, and read the December 13, 2000 concession speech of Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore who actually received more votes than Republican presidential candidate George Bush in the general elections but who lost in the Electoral College because, many continue to believe, he was cheated in the Florida elections.

Here are the words of former Vice President Al Gore:

Just moments ago, I spoke with George W. Bush and congratulated him on becoming the 43rd president of the United States. I offered to meet with him as soon as possible so that we can start to heal the divisions of the campaign and the contest through which we just passed.

Almost a century and a half ago, Senator Stephen Douglas told Abraham Lincoln, who had just defeated him for the presidency, "Partisan feeling must yield to patriotism. I'm with you, Mr. President, and God bless you."

Well, in that same spirit, I say to President-elect Bush that what remains of partisan rancor must now be put aside, and may God bless his stewardship of this country.

Neither he nor I anticipated this long and difficult road. Certainly neither of us wanted it to happen. Yet it came, and now it has ended, resolved, as it must be resolved, through the honored institutions of our democracy.

Over the library of one of our great law schools is inscribed the motto, "Not under man but under God and law." That's the ruling principle of American freedom, the source of our democratic liberties. I've tried to make it my guide throughout this contest as it has guided America's deliberations of all the complex issues of the past five weeks.

Now the U.S. Supreme Court has spoken. Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity of the people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession.

I also accept my responsibility, which I will discharge unconditionally, to honor the new president elect and do everything possible to help him bring Americans together in fulfillment of the great vision that our Declaration of Independence defines and that our Constitution affirms and defends.

Let me say how grateful I am to all those who supported me and supported the cause for which we have fought.

This has been an extraordinary election. But in one of God's unforeseen paths, this belatedly broken impasse can point us all to a new common ground, for its very closeness can serve to remind us that we are one people with a shared history and a shared destiny.
Indeed, that history gives us many examples of contests as hotly debated, as fiercely fought, with their own challenges to the popular will.

Other disputes have dragged on for weeks before reaching resolution. And each time, both the victor and the vanquished have accepted the result peacefully and in the spirit of reconciliation.

So let it be with us.

I know that many of my supporters are disappointed. I am too. But our disappointment must be overcome by our love of country.

And I say to our fellow members of the world community, let no one see this contest as a sign of American weakness. The strength of American democracy is shown most clearly through the difficulties it can overcome.

Some have expressed concern that the unusual nature of this election might hamper the next president in the conduct of his office. I do not believe it need be so.

President-elect Bush inherits a nation whose citizens will be ready to assist him in the conduct of his large responsibilities.

I personally will be at his disposal, and I call on all Americans -- I particularly urge all who stood with us to unite behind our next president. This is America. Just as we fight hard when the stakes are high, we close ranks and come together when the contest is done.

And while there will be time enough to debate our continuing differences, now is the time to recognize that that which unites us is greater than that which divides us..

While we yet hold and do not yield our opposing beliefs, there is a higher duty than the one we owe to political party. This is America and we put country before party. We will stand together behind our new president.

If he heeds the words of a man who placed his country's interests above his own, FPJ will be remembered kindly and fondly.

Rodel Rodis is a San Francisco attorney and elected member of the San Francisco Community College Board. He can be reached at 2429 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94127 or by calling +415 334 7800. His e-mail is rodel50@aol.com.