By Janie Christine Octia, Yahoo!
Southeast Asia Wednesday October 28, 2009
Senator Francis Escudero declared on Wednesday (October 28) he was leaving the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), a party he's been faithful to since he started his political career 11 years ago.
Addressing supporters and media at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills in San Juan City, the 40-year-old senator gave several reasons why he was bolting the party of his friend and business tycoon Danding Cojuangco, Jr.
"Sino man pong nagplaplanong tumakbo bilang pangulo ng bansa, wala dapat partidong kinabibilangan [Whoever is running for President, he or she should not be under any political party]," Escudero said.
He said a presidential candidate should not belong to a political party other than that of the country, with Filipinos as his partymates.
He stressed no single political party could resolve the problems and issues of the nation.
"Pangalawa, sinumang tatakbo o magiging Pangulo ng bansa, hindi pwedeng magawa ang mga dapat niyang gawin ng naka-kadena ang mga kamay at paa, naka-piring ang mata at may busal ang bibig [Second, the next president should be free from any shackles, blindfold and gags]," Escudero added.
He argued that a presidential candidate could not push for reforms if members of his party have their own agendas to protect.
Escudero enumerated critical issues, including the abolition of the pork barrel, the oil deregulation law and the prosecution of corrupt officials.
"Kahit sinong may-ari ng langis, kaya niyang itaas ang presyo ng langis kung kailan nya gusto, ang mahirap na tsuper ng jeep kailangang magpaalam muna sa isang ahensya ng gobyerno bago siya magtaas ng kita. Kung pwede ang mayaman, dapat mas pwede ang mahirap, [Whoever owns the oil can dictate the price. Our poor jeepney drivers have to seek the permission from government to raise their rates. If the rich can do this, why can't the poor]" he said.
Escudero also believed that freedom from his party means a better vision for the future.
"Mas matatanaw ko po ang dapat kong gawin at papel na dapat kong gampanan kaugnay sa darating na halalan, hindi bilang miyembro ng kahit anong partido, ako lamang po, bilang ako [I will have a clearer view of my duties and responsibilities related to the elections when I am not affiliated with any political party," Escudero said.
Escudero was expected to announce his presidential plans last October 10 when he turned 40 years old, which was the required age for any presidential candidate. But he chose to postpone it due to the recent calamities that hit the country.
When asked about his 2010 plans, the young senator sought for more time to think about his decision on whether or not to run for a higher post and for what position.
Escudero admitted that he has talked to NPC Chairman Faustino Dy about his decision but not Cojuangco, the party's founder.
Presidential aspirants Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. are both nephews of Cojuangco.
During the press conference, Escudero denied rumors that he opposed a possible NPC 2010 tandem that included him and fellow Senator Loren Legarda as running mate.
Legarda previously declared her vice presidential bid in a program held in Luneta, adding that she was even open to the idea of running with a presidential candidate from another party.
Escudero also dismissed speculations that he was considering Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Grace Poe Llamanzares, daughter of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. as possible running mates.
On the issue of launching a national campaign without a political party to back him up, Escudero declared:"Ang pera po may tao, pero ang tao walang pera." With these comments, supporters gave out a loud cheer.
Present during the senator's announcement were former PNP Chief Avelino Razon, film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Bibeth Orteza and representatives from FPJ for President Movement and Samahang Magdalo, a group of "reformed" soldiers.
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Southeast Asia Wednesday October 28, 2009
Senator Francis Escudero declared on Wednesday (October 28) he was leaving the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), a party he's been faithful to since he started his political career 11 years ago.
Addressing supporters and media at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills in San Juan City, the 40-year-old senator gave several reasons why he was bolting the party of his friend and business tycoon Danding Cojuangco, Jr.
"Sino man pong nagplaplanong tumakbo bilang pangulo ng bansa, wala dapat partidong kinabibilangan [Whoever is running for President, he or she should not be under any political party]," Escudero said.
He said a presidential candidate should not belong to a political party other than that of the country, with Filipinos as his partymates.
He stressed no single political party could resolve the problems and issues of the nation.
"Pangalawa, sinumang tatakbo o magiging Pangulo ng bansa, hindi pwedeng magawa ang mga dapat niyang gawin ng naka-kadena ang mga kamay at paa, naka-piring ang mata at may busal ang bibig [Second, the next president should be free from any shackles, blindfold and gags]," Escudero added.
He argued that a presidential candidate could not push for reforms if members of his party have their own agendas to protect.
Escudero enumerated critical issues, including the abolition of the pork barrel, the oil deregulation law and the prosecution of corrupt officials.
"Kahit sinong may-ari ng langis, kaya niyang itaas ang presyo ng langis kung kailan nya gusto, ang mahirap na tsuper ng jeep kailangang magpaalam muna sa isang ahensya ng gobyerno bago siya magtaas ng kita. Kung pwede ang mayaman, dapat mas pwede ang mahirap, [Whoever owns the oil can dictate the price. Our poor jeepney drivers have to seek the permission from government to raise their rates. If the rich can do this, why can't the poor]" he said.
Escudero also believed that freedom from his party means a better vision for the future.
"Mas matatanaw ko po ang dapat kong gawin at papel na dapat kong gampanan kaugnay sa darating na halalan, hindi bilang miyembro ng kahit anong partido, ako lamang po, bilang ako [I will have a clearer view of my duties and responsibilities related to the elections when I am not affiliated with any political party," Escudero said.
Escudero was expected to announce his presidential plans last October 10 when he turned 40 years old, which was the required age for any presidential candidate. But he chose to postpone it due to the recent calamities that hit the country.
When asked about his 2010 plans, the young senator sought for more time to think about his decision on whether or not to run for a higher post and for what position.
Escudero admitted that he has talked to NPC Chairman Faustino Dy about his decision but not Cojuangco, the party's founder.
Presidential aspirants Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. are both nephews of Cojuangco.
During the press conference, Escudero denied rumors that he opposed a possible NPC 2010 tandem that included him and fellow Senator Loren Legarda as running mate.
Legarda previously declared her vice presidential bid in a program held in Luneta, adding that she was even open to the idea of running with a presidential candidate from another party.
Escudero also dismissed speculations that he was considering Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Grace Poe Llamanzares, daughter of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. as possible running mates.
On the issue of launching a national campaign without a political party to back him up, Escudero declared:"Ang pera po may tao, pero ang tao walang pera." With these comments, supporters gave out a loud cheer.
Present during the senator's announcement were former PNP Chief Avelino Razon, film director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, Bibeth Orteza and representatives from FPJ for President Movement and Samahang Magdalo, a group of "reformed" soldiers.
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