Fernando Poe Jr., 65; Philippine Presidential Candidate and Actor

Action film star and presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., who had refused to concede the election in May, died early today after suffering a stroke. He was 65.

Poe died at St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was rushed late Saturday after complaining of dizziness while dining with friends.

He later slipped into a coma and died just after midnight, according to his doctor.

Poe’s wife, actress Susan Ro- ces, issued a statement thanking Filipinos for praying for her husband. “We are indebted to your being with him in the face of the challenges,” she said.

A political neophyte, Poe had reluctantly agreed to become the main challenger to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the May 10 election. He lost by 1.1 million votes.

Two months later, Poe asked the Supreme Court to nullify Arroyo’s victory and declare him president, accusing her party of committing electoral fraud. Arroyo’s camp denied any wrongdoing and expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would eventually throw out Poe’s protest.

A friend of former President Joseph Estrada, Poe was a formidable opponent to Arroyo, even though he campaigned on generalities and never offered a specific program.

The star of more than 200 films, Poe was popular among impoverished Filipinos for his portrayals of fast-punching, underdog champions of the poor. He was a five-time winner of the nation’s top film prize.

He also produced, directed and wrote many of his films.

Poe was born on Aug. 20, 1939, to popular Filipino actor Fernando Poe Sr. and Elizabeth Kelley, an American.

His family prospered until his father’s death when Poe was 15. Poe had to drop out of high school to help support the family. He worked odd jobs, including as a cleaner and a stuntman, becoming a full-time actor in the 1950s.