Escudero seeking moorings

BY JP LOPEZ


SEN. Francis "Chiz" Escudero yesterday said he is open to have Sen. Panfilo Lacson as running mate if ever he decides to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 2010 elections.

Escudero, who recently resigned from the Nationalist People’s Coalition which would have carried him as standard bearer, said he and Lacson have not yet talked about the matter.

Escudero said nothing is definite yet, even on his plan to seek the presidency.

He said he does not want to be pressured into rushing into a decision unprepared.

"Posible at maganda sana (Escudero-Lacson tandem) pero di pa ako nakakapag-pasya ng aking gagawin," he said.

The tandem started shaping up after observers noted that both Lacson and Escudero favor the scrapping of pork barrel of lawmakers and the repeal of labor law on contractualization.

Lacson’s political adviser Lito Banayo and some of his staffers were "detailed" to Escudero’s camp even before the senator resigned from the NPC.

Lacson ran as an independent presidential candidate after his party – Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino – drafted the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. as standard bearer during the 2004 presidential elections.

Escudero then acted as Poe’s campaign manager and spokesman.

Escudero said he has not talked with any group or presidential candidate, contrary to what has been reported in the media.

He said he is not "applying" with any group or individual.

Escudero dismissed speculations he would slide down to the vice presidency.

"Wala pa akong dinideklarahang posisyon para mag-slide down mula doon. Pangalawa, kagaya ng nasabi ko, walang labis, walang kulang, wala pa akong pasya, walang partikular na direksyong tinatahak na nakasara ang pinto sa anumang posibilidad o posisyon o gagawin o hindi gagawin sa halalan," he said.

He said running as an independent is among the options he has been contemplating on.

He asked to be given time to think "dahil ilang araw pa lang akong malaya mula sa pagiging isang miyembro ng isang partido."

Escudero, who announced his resignation from the NPC on October 28, acknowledged that no one has won the presidency without the machinery provided by a political party.


Source: http://www.malaya.com.ph/11052009/news/news8.html