Source: Philstar.com
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: So, what else is new? It’s the name of the game in politics. There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.
Bax Cadiogan, La Union: Finally, a new brand of politics has emerged. What he did is commendable and should put all trapos to shame.
Good decision, Chiz!
Richard Decena, Quezon City: Sen. Escudero did the right thing. Loyalty to the people should come first. Ang mga political parties po ngayon ay ginagamit lang ang mga politician.
Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: I do believe that Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC was made out of his goal to be independent in planning his political career.
Ed Alawi, Davao City: Chiz made the right decision. Why would he be subservient to a group with vested interests which are not for the country and for us poor Pinoys?
Tom Valdez, Cebu City: Chiz bolting the NPC caught the ire of some, but earned the admiration of millions. Count me in.
Chiz is saving face
Rey Onate, Palayan City: I totally agree with the analysis of Alex Magno in his column that Escudero’s quitting from the NPC is a herald of change from party politics to opportunist populism. A good trapo move, it appeared as a principled decision but kwidaw. Drama lang.
Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Chiz is a wise kid. The prevailing situation gives him no chance of winning. That’s why he improvised. Just wait and see.
Durbin Rantael, Quezon City: Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC deserves to be respected, even if it only shows that there are no true allies in all Philippine political parties.
Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: No choice; save face na lang siya. It’s Noynoy come 2010.
Felix Ramento, Manila: Chiz Escudero’s bolting the NPC proved to be a naive decision to cover up his misadventures as a fledgling trapo.
It could usher in a new era in politics
Dennis Acop, Benguet: Chiz Escudero’s decision to bolt the NPC appears to speak well of his character, if what I read about his motivations for doing so is to be believed. The article I read said that Chiz didn’t want to be beholden to some powerful individuals bankrolling and controlling his candidacy. As an independent, Chiz would be able to better pursue his agenda to help alter the course of Philippine politics, which as it currently stands is nothing but a road to perdition. If this is true, even I am impressed. You see, Chiz did not impress me despite his youth, brilliance, and some tinge of idealism. I therefore support Chiz in his decision to bolt the NPC. And if he keeps going down the road he is on now, I may just campaign for him when the time is right. Old-school politicians who wish to treat their party candidates like puppets just don’t get it. This brings a little bit of hope in a land already consumed by cynicism and hopelessness.
Loi Castillo, Davao City: His loyalty to the party ends where his loyalty to the Republic begins. Chiz might just be the answer to the age-old Philippine practice of political patronage, where the old political godfathers always put influence on all young, risk-taking, and aggressive politicos. Hopefully, he will usher in a new era in RP politics.
Jose Parco, Aklan: Politicians are never to be trusted. However, who knows where this will lead? It could be the beginning of the end of an abomination, which is political patronage. If he is true to his word, then he’s back on my list of people to admire most!
It’s political suicide
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Party intramurals and Escudero’s misplaced principles caused him to bolt NPC, turning off many of his supporters. He has committed political suicide.
Norberto Robles, Taguig: In leaving NPC, Chiz blew a fighting chance for a crack at the presidency in 2010 and further beclouded his political career. Ego got the better of him, wanting too much, too soon.
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: My hunch is he’s being courted by Lakas to be Gibo’s VP candidate, but what he did was more of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Maling diskarte.
His true colors are showing
G. de Gregorio, Metro Manila: Chiz showed his true colors when he quit the NPC. Why would he suddenly find his party of 11 years so objectionable? This is nothing more than a spoiled brat’s temper tantrums after not getting what he wants. We should not vote for him because he has just shown that he cannot be trusted.
G.M. Caguioa, Dagupan City: Chiz wants to shed off his Danding and Marcos stink, forgetting that his father is a Marcos crony.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Escudero’s jumping ship from the NPC disclosed him to be of the trapo breed. When a presidential wannabe is banking on contributions from businessmen, be they good or evil, it reveals himself to be not truly for the country, but for his mercenary money and/or the vanity, protection, and perpetuation of evil businessmen. In the “Bayan at Dios” program of Brother Eddie Villanueva on Q Channel on February 24, during which Gen. Jose Almonte was a guest, the general inferred that President Erap admitted having accepted P1.5 billion for his campaign kitty when he ran for president in 1998, which he regretted so much later when he was ousted. With or without financial help, Chiz should pursue bringing about change in the country, if he is truly for the country.
L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: After 11 years with the NPC, he bolted the party to deliver a political statement about a brand-new people’s politics that would contradict party politics, blah, blah, blah.
We should respect his decision
Fe Lintag, Pampanga: Everybody is entitled to his own opinion and perhaps Senator Chiz feels that quitting the NPC is good for him. We should respect his decision.
Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Everyone should respect his decision. Perhaps he has another plan in mind. He knows what is best for him.
Pat Cuilan, Benguet: That’s democracy in action.
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: Whatever his reasons, it is better to let go of his presidential ambition for now as he’s still young anyway. Otherwise, he’ll self-destruct.
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: Well, it’s Sen. Chiz decision, so we should respect it. A little birdie is probably whispering in his ears, may panalo ka. He should be careful because if he fails in his first attempt, chances are, he will experience the same fate as Sen. Loren Legarda na hirap makaahon. My unsolicited advice to Sen. Chiz, relax muna, malalakas ang kalaban, bata ka pa, marami pa’ng pagkakataon.
Bad news for women
Daniel Escurel Occeno, Sorsogon: Somebody else is helping Chiz Escudero find Excalibur. The Metro Manila ladies could not do that. I was hoping the Millennium Development Goals Leaders Forum would inspire the understanding of the difference between a special interest president and a king of the people. The UN explained its theory to end poverty with the goals set to be achieved by 2015. Unless Chiz dislikes Loren Legarda, as comments on TV and the Internet say, he has just sent a clear message that he will not represent the majority of the voters, women that is, by leaving the NPC. Even though the Philippines has had two women presidents, gender inequality still exists in the Philippines and according to the UN, it is the cause of poverty. My father says that Gilberto Teodoro wanting a woman running mate might just benefit from this. Loren Legarda did not want to leave her political party, but because she lacks a strong presidential candidate, NPC can merge with Lakas, making the teamup of Gibo and Loren possible. Sounds like a movie script.
He’s testing the waters
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: As one of the first young advocates of change, that might be the Senator’s program of change in this country: Changing parties or changing minds!
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro: Political realities are hard to swallow, but must be taken fast to avoid the bitter taste. Hitching a free ride to Malacañang is very difficult, especially if you start from Bicol. Walking is good, but you will not get there anytime soon.
Eduardo de Jesus, Metro Manila: Is Escudero testing the waters? Well, you’ll never know what you can get away with, unless you try!
Bolting the party was a treacherous act
Durbin Rantael, Metro Manila: Escudero won the senatorial slate with the NPC. Bolting was a selfish and treacherous act. It manifested his being a traitor to his own political party.
Danding is not supporting him
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: “Being attached to vested groups that might weigh down (his) commitment to public service” was the reason Escudero gave for bolting the NPC. Sen. Chiz has been in politics for almost two decades; he should know that it’s part of the game. I still believe he bolted the NPC because Danding Cojuangco won’t give his full support and is planning to back up Noynoy. Danding is a businessman; he will bet his money on the winning horse.
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: According to Chiz, the party head Danding Cojuangco did not support him or give him any financial support, so it could either be nagtatampo siya, he doesn’t want the NPC or Danding Cojuangco to benefit from his possible victory, or he has a radical mind and does not want to be dictated upon, or bata pa talaga si Chiz and he did not mind talking to his supposed VP (Legarda) before announcing his decision. This is the kind of leader he is. Mapusok. Ingat tayo.
C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: Chiz won’t admit it, but it must be because Danding won’t support him with P2 billion for his campaign kitty. It’s even rumored that Danding hasn’t been taking his calls for quite some time now. Better to quit now.
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Escudero is not rating well in any survey and Danding Cojuangco is a shrewd businessman who knows that investing in Chiz Escudero is not a good idea.
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Blood is thicker than water. I believe Danding Cojuangco will eventually support either Ninoy or Gibo. Chiz saw this; thus, his decision to bolt the NPC.
Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: He bolted the NPC because he sensed that party founder and chairman, Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. is out to support his presidentiable nephews.
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Escudero bolted the NPC because he knows that “blood is thicker than water”, so much so that Danding would surely support either Gibo or Noynoy.
Osmundo Lim, Caloocan City: Escudero must have realized that he could not get the funds he needs from the NPC to finance his presidential bid. He should just concentrate on his job as senator. By the way, during the live interview on TV Patrol, I noticed that the senator was drunk.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Running for the highest position in the government requires substantial campaign funds. Candidates with liquidity problems have to sell their soul to political investors. However, the situation has changed. Sources of campaign financing are scarce, not only because of the economic chaos, but because political investors are more realistic now. I cannot believe, however, that the scarcity of campaign funds is the reason Escudero changed his plans, because if it were, he would not resign from his party. Escudero’s backer probably told him the real truth, which made his heart bleed and hurt his ego.
He couldn’t take traditional politics anymore
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Being a young idealist, Chiz Escudero must have been disappointed by the practice of traditional politics, where powerful political leaders manipulate the decisions of elective public servants. May other politicians learn from him that every elective public servant must be his own man and not a robot of those in power.
Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: This young blood just couldn’t take it anymore from the trapos in the NPC. Siguro, ‘yun lang. In hindsight, after Noynoy Aquino threw his hat into the presidential bid ring, Chiz knew his goose was cooked.
Let’s wait and see
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: I was quite surprised with his announcement. With that, it would be very difficult to continue aiming for the presidency, unless another political party adopts him. Anyway, he should first review his proposals on programs and governance before trying to picture himself as the next president.
David Velasco, Marinduque: It may be the result of discernment or a gimmick for Escudero, but let’s wait until he pronounces his political vision for the country before we opine.
Who would take him in?
Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Escudero bolting the NPC was pitiful, not praiseworthy. He was alone, wasn’t he? Who would take him in? Escudero’s political gambit to raise funds didn’t work. He can either run for governor of Sorsogon and lose or campaign for his friend Adel Tamano to become senator so that by next presidential elections, we can elect Tamano as the first president from Mindanao.
No independent bet has ever won
Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: He will not win even if he bolted the NPC. FPJ ran as an independent candidate, but what happened?
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: We really don’t know the reason why Sen. Escudero bolted his party. While other candidates try to get the endorsement and support of a political party, he did the opposite. I’m sure he knows that no presidential candidate running independently has ever won an election in this country, except perhaps FVR, who formed his own party after losing to Mitra in the LDP convention. But that was under a very different situation. The then sitting president Cory Aquino was with him and the euphoria of Cory dislodging the Marcos dictatorship was still very much in the air. Only time will tell whether he made the right decision or not.
Chiz is showing emotional immaturity
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The decision is a tantrum act on the part of Escudero. He is like a spoiled brat who was denied what he wanted.
C.B. Manalstas, Manila: Swell-headed Escudero acted like a baby who couldn’t get his candy from moneyman Danding Cojuangco. Now he is sarcastically fighting back.
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: When the going gets tough, the tough gets going, my wife would always say. Obviously, spoiled brat Chiz abandoned the NPC when they didn’t give him what he wanted. Good; now we all know how immature he really is. Behind the fighting Chiz facade is cheesy Chiz Whiz. Loren is smiling. Now, her dream of becoming the third woman president or VP is getting much clearer than ever.
Rene Poder, Manila: He is a brat throwing a tantrum because of the measly P200-million allowance for his desired Malacañang toy.
Why did he have to wait so long?
Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: The NPC is pro-GMA. He should have resigned from it during the height of the “Hello, Garci” scandal. Di ako boboto sa isang bungangerong pulitiko.
M. Sunico, Caloocan City: Escudero should have known earlier that his party affiliation meant they have the same political ideologies. His feeling of being shackled by his party means he has never shared their common political ideals in the first place and must have only joined the NPC for his personal ends.
It’s all about the money
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The guy is just sulking after failing to enlist all-out financial backing from Danding. However, the billionaire is a shrewd businessman and won’t just throw away billions only to feed the ego and caprices of a self-rated politician. Being throaty in radio and TV interviews is insufficient for claiming a birthright to the presidency. His vaunted IQ should be translated into exceptional legislations, which the public won’t fail to appreciate.
Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Escudero came to realize that the NPC could not fund fully his presidential ambition after the NPC found his chances of winning slim.
Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: The youthful Sen. Chiz Escudero must have sensed that the lights in the tunnel are so dim, he can hardly analyze the faces of his financial supporters.
He can make the VP debates exciting
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Here’s another case of enlightenment, coming from the blabbermouth himself. If he settles on running for VP, it would be exciting to watch him slugging it out with erstwhile party mate Loren and Senate colleague Mar.
He’s being too idealistic
Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: No political machinery, limited funds, and no party to back him, it will be an uphill run for Chiz. But the reason is noble and idealistic run. I wish him the best of luck.
That’s political power play
Cris Rivera, Rizal: Nothing can shackle Escudero and his political ideals, for fawning servility is not his brand of public service. He is a blue-chip oppositionist.
Dandy Lacuesta, Las Piñas City: Whether it was Chiz’s or the NPC’s fault, Escudero’s bolting doesn’t speak well of the party, of Sen. Legarda, and how it takes care of its people.
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: That is political power play because, as they say, in politics it’s always personal interest that matters.
Let’s go back to the two-party system
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: Business interests and personal gains do not promote loyalty and good governance for the Filipino people. The two-party system is the best solution to choosing likeable presidential candidates in a democratic country like the Philippines.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment