The Quezon City government lauded the Senate for passing on third and final reading a measure seeking to rename Roosevelt Avenue to Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Avenue, in honor of the late actor who was known as the “King of Philippine movies.”
“We laud the Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III, for passing this measure that will give recognition to the immense contribution of FPJ not only to our movie industry but to Filipino culture in general,” said Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“We also consider it a big honor to have one of our city’s main arteries named after FPJ. After all, Quezon City is the city of stars and it is but fitting to name one of our major thoroughfares after the biggest star of them all. She added, noting that the city government is looking to redevelop Frisco as a place of interest and a tourist destination of the city.
The development will also in line with the 1-million jobs program of the National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS), chaired by the Department of Labor and Employment and co-chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Tourism.
The Senate, via a vote of 22-0-1, approved House Bill No. 7499 sponsored by Senator Manny Pacquiao, which seeks to rename Roosevelt Avenue after the late action king. Senator Grace Poe, FPJ’s daughter, abstained from voting so as to avoid conflict of interest.
The House measure originally sought to rename Del Monte Avenue after the late action king but it was opposed by priests, residents and parishioners in the area because of its historical and religious significance.
According to them, the name was derived from San Francisco del Monte, a retreat founded in 1590 by Franciscan missionary Fray Pedro Bautista, who was later canonized as a saint.
The Senate President then introduced an amendment to the measure, pushing to rename Roosevelt Avenue after Poe because this is where FPJ’s ancestral home is located. In addition, Sotto said Roosevelt Avenue is larger compared to Del Monte Avenue.
Sotto’s amendment was accepted by Senator Manny Pacquiao as chairman of the Committee on Public Works.
The measure mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways to issue the necessary rules, orders, and circulars to implement the law’s provisions within 60 days from its effectivity.
In his 46-year-career as an actor, FPJ starred in around 300 action films, earning him the title “Da King” of Philippine movies. He passed away on Dec. 14, 2004 at age 65.
Almost two years after his death, FPJ was declared a National Artist by then-President Benigno Aquino III.
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