Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte backed on Saturday Senate President Vicente Sotto III's suggestion to rename Roosevelt Ave. after Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) Ave. in honor of his contributions to the Filipino movie industry.
The local government said Belmonte asked the city council to pass a resolution urging Congress to pass a measure renaming Roosevelt Avenue.
Senator Lito Lapid earlier suggested to rename Del Monte Ave. after the late actor, but Sotto suggested to change Roosevelt Ave. instead because "it's where FPJ grew up because it was their ancestral home."
For Belmonte, "it is but right and proper to honor the late Fernando Poe Junior for his invaluable contribution to the city and our culture."
"At the same time, we also recognize the historical and religious significance of the area. We are hoping this issue will be resolved judiciously,” the local chief executive said.
“The Senate President’s suggestion to rename Roosevelt Avenue after the late action king more popularly known as FPJ is a welcome development and a win-win solution for everyone concerned," she added.
“We thank the Senate President for sharing his wisdom and for providing us with a situation that is acceptable to everybody,” she added.
In his 46 years as an actor, FPJ starred in around 300 action films earning him the monicker “Da King” of Philippine movies.
Almost two years after his death on December 14, 2004 at age 65, FPJ was declared National Artist for film by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But Poe’s wife, actress Susan Roces refused to accept the posthumous award during a conferment ceremony at Malacañang in June 2006.
Poe and Arroyo contested the Presidency in 2004.
In 2012, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued another presidential proclamation —Proclamation No. 435 affirming FPJ's National Artist stature.