11/05/2009
Even as time runs short on the presidential bid of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said Escudero cannot be counted out as a potent candidate for the top post of the land even if he runs independently of big political parties.“There is always a first time to undertake a revolution, I will not count him out,” Enrile told reporters.
Escudero, however, remains undecided on whether or not he will pursue his presidential bid.
“I’m still weighing things and there’s no finality yet in my decision.
I’d rather that I’d be given time in deciding on this matter,” Escudero said, appearing in the weekly Kapihan sa Senado news forum.
Escudero has less than a month to decide whether he will pursue his bid for the presidency or the vice presidency with the deadline for registration of candidates set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) at the end of the month.
Even the matter of whether to slide down to vice presidency is yet to be decided on by the senator, saying he is still in the process of studying the path to take, although he is not closing his doors on whatever possibilities in relation to the coming electoral exercise.
Escudero said he was no longer surprised of the supposed looming between Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. and former party mate Sen. Loren Legarda as talks on this matter have been circulating even before he decided to quit from being a member of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
He also denied allegations that lack of support from among NPC insiders and that of SMC president Ramon Ang standing in the way in funding his campaign prompted him in resigning from the party.
“A lot of people have said that (my candidacy is doomed if I run as an independent), I think this is part by statistics, there’s little chance of a successful bid if your running without a party. But I’m hoping to disprove this,” he said.
As this developed, Sen. Richard Gordon who is perceived to be also a presidentiable among the current crop of upper chamber members, yesterday said he will make public his plans, whether to seek a higher elective position next year, within the next few weeks.
“Until I file, you will know. I think that you are all aware of the fact that whatever position I aspire to I think I have the qualifications. I think I’ve been a good senator, I think I have been a very good executive for the last 26 years.
“So, whether it’s president or senator or whatever, I will make that announcement at the proper time.” he said.
Though expecting to be criticized by fellow oppositionists, the spokesperson for the Nacionalista Party (NP), yesterday said that President Arroyo should be allowed to finish her term until noon of June 30 next year even if she decides to run for Congress.
At the weekly Ayes and Nays News Forum, lawyer Adel Tamano said there is nothing unconstitutional if Arroyo runs for Congress and at the same time keep her post.
“Many will oppose me but this is my personal stand, my stand is I really want her to finish her term, whether or not she decides to run or not. Under the law, what is prohibited is for her to run again for President, that’s very clear,” Tamano said.
However, House senior deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo said Arroyo should not impose her plans to run for Congress in the 2010 elections on the nation.
“It would definitely be a massive step backwards in the political growth and maturity of the Philippines if Mrs. Arroyo insists on holding yet another post after the presidency. It would be akin to thumbing a nose at the fight against corruption and the struggle for good governance,” Ocampo said, adding that the people of Pampanga, as well as the rest of the nation, deserve a leader who will not use her position to protect herself at the expense of her constituency.
Tamano stressed it would also be unfair to other elected officials like Senators Manuel Villar and Loren Legarda to resign just because they are seeking the country’s two highest positions.
“It is unfair to require Senators Legarda, Villar and others in similar situation to force them to resign just because they are running to a higher office. That would undermine the mandate that was already given to them,” said Tamano. Charlie V. Manalo
Source: http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20091105hed2.html
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