MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero bolted the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) yesterday, dashing expectations that he would be the party’s standard-bearer in the 2010 elections.
Escudero announced his resignation from the NPC at the Club Filipino days after the other top contender for the party’s top slot in 2010 – Sen. Loren Legarda – declared she is running instead for vice president.
Businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. is the founder and chief financier of the NPC.
Escudero appealed for more time to decide if he would run for president but ruled out defecting to another party, stressing that being attached to vested groups might weigh down his commitment to public service if he is elected president.
He also appealed for understanding from former partymates, particularly Legarda.
“Ang partido lamang dapat niya ay Pilipinas at ang kanyang mga kapartido ay lahat ng Pilipino (His party should only be the Philippines and his partymates the Filipino people),” he said of an ideal presidential contender.
*** Not allowed to view links ***
Register or Login...
