Escudero remains an independent

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero (Photo from Escudero’s website)

MANILA – With Liberal Party’s (LP) political plans excluding Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the senator only downplayed the issue as he was never a member of the party and he never intended to join either.

“I am not a member of the Liberal Party. I’m not covered by their plans and agreements,” Escudero said in an interview. “[Also], I’m not applying to any party.”

Escudero was formerly a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) but opted and remained an independent as he believed that the masses was the party he had to serve for.

With the national elections nearing, LP had started to plan its ‘18 years of prosperity and development,’ beginning with the reign of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and hopefully continuing with  Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas in 2016 and Senator Grace Poe in 2022.

Speculations stated that the reason LP’s doors where closed to Escudero was because they blamed him for the loss of Roxas, their 2010 vice presidential bid.

It can be recalled that Escudero, who had strong voter support in 2010, blatantly endorsed Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay. Although he was a supporter of Aquino, the senator junked Roxas and voted for Binay.

To this, Escudero clarified that he was entitled to one vote only and that the winner achieved victory because he worked hard and gained the people’s trust and support.

“It is the people who elected the winner. It is also the people who brought down the loser… No one should blame anybody’s electoral loss on just one man,” he said.

Escudero also claimed that the loser got defeated because he might have had shortcomings.

“It’s better to look in the mirror than blame your loss on other people,” he said.

Escudero has not yet announced his interest in seeking higher office next year. But if he will indeed run, he said that it would be for the vice presidential post.

With LP eyeing Roxas for the 2016 presidential race, they are considering Poe as his running mate. The political party will then support Poe for the 2022 presidential race.

Prior LP considering Poe as their vice presidential candidate, the neophyte senator admitted that she would be comfortable running alongside Escudero whom she noted to be a good friend and politician.

Meanwhile, NPC has no presidential or vice presidential bid in the coming national elections but may express support to candidates for the posts, depending on who will be running.

“We are not inclined to field one of our own, but will probably support one depending on who will be running,” NPC member Senator Vicente “Tito” Soto III said.