INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:41:00 10/28/2009
Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Inquirer Politics, Politics, Elections
MANILA, Philippines—Could the “measly” P200 million contribution to his campaign kitty be the reason for Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s departure from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC)?Without much fancy, Escudero announced on Wednesday he’s leaving the NPC, his political party of 11 years, a move that surprised even party members. This leaves the party headed by business tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco without a prospective presidential candidate for the May 2010 election, even as Senator Loren Legarda, Escudero’s supposed running mate, gave assurances she would stay with the party.
An NPC insider said that one of the reasons for Escudero’s decision could be the party’s “inability to raise funds for his campaign.”
As per his estimate, a presidential candidate would need at least P2 billion to launch a nationwide campaign. But Cojuangco could commit only P200 million to Escudero, said the NPC insider who refused to be identified.
This was refuted by Escudero’s father, Sorsogon Representative Salvador Escudero III.
“Pure speculation,” he said in a phone interview when asked about the funding problem. He said there was even a report his son was offered P1 billion to withdraw, but this was not true as well.
Senator Escudero formally told the party of his decision when he met with NPC chairman Faustino Dy and NPC president Frisco San Juan, according to the older Escudero.
“I’m happy for him. Whatever his decisions are, I will support him,” Representative Escudero said.
Senator Escudero’s campaign funding woes was aggravated by the business problems being experienced by tycoon Lucio Tan, according to the NPC source.
Tan, ranked by Forbes as second richest in the Philippines in 2008 with a net worth of $1.5 billion, was expected to give boost to Escudero’s campaign kitty, being a close friend of the senator and his father. Tan has in fact tapped Representative Escudero, two-time agriculture secretary, to help him in the projects of his Tan Yan Kee Foundation.
But the source said that this big support may not come after all since several of Tan’s businesses are “in bad shape.”
According to the source, several of those who have pledged to support Escudero later withheld their commitment because the senator has yet to rate high in the presidential surveys. Escudero’s ratings plunged further when Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III announced his candidacy, the source added.
Without a presidential candidate, the NPC may just coalesce with another political party, offering Legarda as their vice presidential bet, the source said.
Speaker Prospero Nograles said the “open door policy” in the Philippine political system has made the situation “so fluid.”
“I have long been an advocate of the two-party system because that makes programs more important that personalities,” he said. “Let’s watch the developments in the next two weeks.”
Bayan Muna party list Representative Satur Ocampo said Escudero’s resignation was a “major political development” in the presidential race.
“His move to bolt the NPC is a welcome move that should develop his capacity to take on many people’s issues in performing his duties to the people. We challenge other ‘presidentiables’ to likewise take a stand on the need for genuine land reform, a P125 across the board daily wage hike, P3,000 monthly salary adjustment for government workers, the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), and ending the climate of impunity against civilian dissenters and journalists in the country,” Ocampo said.
Ocampo, who heads the coalition of progressive party list groups Makabayan, has had exploratory talks with Escudero for a possible coalition. Ocampo is said to be eyeing a senatorial seat.
Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano, one of the senatorial candidates of the NPC, said the party has yet to hear Escudero’s reasons for resigning.
“It is best to leave our judgment until after he shares with the members his reason for resigning,” Durano said in a text message.
Valenzuela Representative Rex Gatchalian, NPC spokesperson, said the party would issue a statement after its emergency meeting at the NPC headquarters in Quezon City Wednesday afternoon.
Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091028-232730/Why-Escudero-quit-NPC
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