November 24, 2009, 4:53pm
Opposition Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero Tuesday announced that he will not be participating in the May 2010 elections except to vote, saying “now is not the time to run for the presidency.”Speaking to supporters clad in red and green shirts and members of the media at the Club Filipino in Greenhill, Escudero said: “I’m not running for any position.”
“Hindi ito ang tamang panahon para sa akin. Bilang botante pagnilay nilayin natin ang karapat dapat sa tamang panahon,” he said, adding that he has not given up on his dream of leading the country one day.
When asked if he will support candidates for president and vice president, Escudero said, “I have not yet decided whom to support yet.”
The 40-year-old senator announced his “gut-wrenching” almost a month after he resigned from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) where he had earlier been expected to run for president.
His former spokesman, former Sen. Sergio Osmena III, and movie actress Susan Roces, widow of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., were not at the Club Filipino although the front row at the briefing room was reserved for them by Escudero supporters.
After his announcement Tuesday, Escudero parried questions on whether he plans to join the administration or other parties anytime soon.
“Para sa akin, hamon itong dapat tingnan ng lahat ng mga unang nagdeklara, sila ba’y nakain na ng sistema o hindi pa, sa daan tungo sa panguluhan,’’ he said.
“Sila ba ay kaya pa ring gawin ang lahat ng pinangako sa atin na magaganda at matatamis habang nangangampanya. Hindi ko makokonsensyang sabihin iyan kung hindi ko rin lang kayang gawin kung ako ay pagtititiwalaan niyo. Dahil po sa lahat ng naganggit ko, akala ko’y madali pero hindi,” he said.
Although caught by surprise, opposition circles welcomed Escudero’s decision.
The United Opposition (UNO) lauded the Escudero’s announcement, saying the opposition senator “points the way to the new brand of politics” needed by the country.
UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he admires Escudero for being someone who stands by his principles and an oppositionist when most politicians who now claim to be with the opposition were actually supporting the present administration.
“No one can question his principles. Chiz was with us in the opposition when most of the political personalities who now claim to be with the opposition were either with the present administration or were conveniently silent on major issues,” Binay said.
The Makati mayor, who will be the running mate of former president Joseph Estrada, recounted working with Escudero during the presidential bid of Fernando Poe, Jr. While Binay was named as the late actor’s campaign manager, Escudero was his spokesperson.
“He stands by what he believes is right, even if it means breaking away from his political party, or abandoning the pursuit of a higher calling. Chiz Escudero points the way to the new brand of politics needed by the country,” he said.
Nacionalista Party vice presidential bet Sen. Loren Legarda also welcomed Escudero’s decision.
“I respect and welcome the decision of Sen. Escudero and hope that he can also help me in fighting poverty, hunger and climate change,” Legarda said in a text message.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, a high-ranking official of the Liberal Party that is supporting the tandem of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, said Escudero is better off supporting the LP bets.
“Perhaps he realized that the Noy-Mar tandem will be difficult to beat given the massive outpouring of sympathy and support from the people. We were quick to recognize Noynoy as a viable alternative as millions of Filipinos tired of corrupt and abusive brand of politics, readily embraced his candidacy,” Pangilinan said.
“This is the very reason why I gave up my bid to run and instead supported the people’s push for Noynoy’s bid,” he said.
“I believe he made the right decision to not run. We encourage him now to support the candidacies of Noy and Mar. We all need to unite behind the true reform agenda our country desperately needs,” Pangilinan said.
Sen. Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr. said Escudero did the right thing.
“Mabuti that he listened to the suggestions of his elders in politics,” Pimentel said in a text message. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, meanwhile said, Escudero should now focus his efforts to fight off “pretenders to the presidency” in next year’s elections.
Lacson said he and Escudero now has a common goal and that is to make sure Filipinos would choose an honest leader. (With reports from Kris Bayos and Hannah L. Torregoza)
Source: http://mb.com.ph/node/231013/chiz-won-t-run-2010
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