MANILA, Philippines - A week after bolting the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Sen. Francis Escudero remains undecided on his political plans for next year.
“There is no formal decision yet. But my appeal is to give me more time to weigh my options because it’s only been a few days since I became free from being a member of a (political) party,” Escudero said.
Escudero told the weekly Kapihan sa Senado yesterday that he would still seek the presidency “but not at the cost of being eaten up by the system.”
“The question now is if this is timely and if this is the right time, that’s what I am weighing at this time. There is nothing wrong if we can have a leader whose hands are not tied, not indebted and someone who has freedom to do what he needs to do,” he said.
Escudero said he remains unperturbed by the increasing preparation by other candidates.
He said the preparations by political rivals would not affect his plans even as the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy is at the end of the month.
Escudero added nothing is final until the filing of candidacy on Nov. 30, 2009.
“I am thinking deeply to be able to decide 100 percent. Not 99 percent,” he said.
Escudero, who quit the NPC last Oct. 28, noted that no presidential candidate ever won without party support.
He conceded running and winning without party machinery would remain a farfetched dream.
“As of now, that remains a dream. That’s the truth. What is wrong with a dream if this (choice) is a better one, more proper and right? Everything starts with a dream,” he said.
Escudero drew parallelism between his political dream and the invention of an airplane or the mission to reach the moon, both of which were then considered impossible goals.
Escudero also clarified that he is not applying to be the running mate of any presidential candidate, virtually discounting any possible team up with Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Sen. Manuel Villar Jr.
Neither were there any talks with administration standard-bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., he said.
“These are all reports, all rumors because there are no direct talks,” Escudero said.
Escudero added that it would be unfair to Villar if he would confirm any talks because there was actually none.
Escudero reiterated his decision to withhold any announcement of his political plans since it has been barely a week since he resigned from NPC.
When Escudero made the surprise announcement, his reason was to break free from any political pressure and party politics.
Escudero’s move left the NPC without a standard-bearer and only Sen. Loren Legarda as the vice-presidential candidate.
Asked on the possibility of pairing up with Villar, Escudero said the former Senate president should first clear up the issues against him.
He said Villar must explain his role on the C5 road controversy.
“This (issue) should be clarified before any talks are made,” Escudero said.
Escudero also belied reports that he might choose Sen. Panfilo Lacson as a running mate.
Escudero noted the reports of a possible “Chiz-Ping” tandem came through after Lacson’s political strategist Lito Banayo joined Escudero’s camp as senior political adviser.
Source: PhilStar
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