No announcement yet of 2010 poll plans for Escudero

GMANews.TV – Monday, October 12

Legarda, however, did not name those supposedly eyeing her as running mate, although a source identified them as former President Joseph Estrada, Senators Escudero, Manuel Villar Jr., Richard Gordon and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. - GMANews.TV

Earlier, Legarda claimed to being courted by at least five prospective presidential candidates. [See: Loren bares VP offers by 5 presidential aspirants]

As the country reels from the effects of tropical cyclones “Ondoy” and “Pepeng,” opposition Senator Francis Escudero has opted to defer any announcement of his political plans in connection with the 2010 presidential elections.

In an interview on GMA News’ Unang Hirit on Monday, Escudero told anchor Arnold Clavio that “this is not the time to dwell into politics.”

“Dahil hindi ito ang tamang panahon para pag-usapan ang pulitika, ang pamumulitika at pagtakbo sa darating na eleksyon (Because this is not the right time to talk about politics, politicking and running in the upcoming 2010 elections),” said Escudero, who turned 40 last Saturday and is now eligible to seek the presidency in next year’s polls.

Under Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.”

According to Escudero, what should be prioritized right now is the assistance that should be given to victims of the recent weather disturbances.

“Kalunus-lunos ang kalagayaan doon (The situation there is very heartbreaking),” Escudero said referring to the storm-hit areas he visited in Pangasinan: Rosales, Villasis, San Nicolas, Asingan and Tayug.

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Earlier, it was widely speculated that Escudero would be announcing his bid for the presidency in 2010 on Monday. Escudero is from the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), a party founded by tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. when he himself sought the presidency in the 1992 elections.

Cojuangco is the party’s chairman emeritus.

Asked by Clavio if he is still running despite the deferred announcement, Escudero said: “May desisyon at pasya na kami. Hindi lang ito ang tamang panahon para banggitin at pag-usapan yan (We already have a decision but now is not the right time to declare or talk about it).”

“Malayo pa at isang buwan pa ang deadline. Eyes on the ball muna tayo at tutukan ang problema ngayon (The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy is still far. What we should do is focus on the present problem),” he added.

Pressed if Senator Loren Legarda will be his running mate, Escudero merely replied: “Magka-partido kami at walang dahilan na hindi kami magkakasama sa mga darating na panahon (We are party mates and there is no reason for us not to be together in the coming days).”

Indeed in time of trouble, politics is not the best topic to discuss on and we should focus on helping others in these times of great need. The tragic result of the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng affected great number of people and they need every bodies help. We Filipinoes are the once that can only stick together in times of need and we all know it. we should consider helping other people for the sake of giving help and the sake of just doing it. We should not let politics into it. This blog is not just to agree in Mr. Escudero’s answer to the press but also to discuse to the people that giving help to those in need are a great thing but doing it for the sake of own gains are not or publicity, for indeed many people does this specially political people taking this opportunity to show their simpathy to the masses for the incoming elections. I’m not saying that they are doing such but please if this is you purpose in doing such its better that you don’t help at all. With this I end with a simple reminder that any good deed are good for a reason and poeple have this sence of goodness, but becasue of once own desires and wants these good deed are made as front for bad agendas. People have the right to choose and to do what ever they wanted but please I one can do bad this why can’t one use his choices to do good things instead? think about it and know what to do.

Source: http://ph.news.yahoo.com/gma/20091012/tph-no-announcement-yet-of-2010-poll-pla-d6cd5cf.html

By Ronald Joshua R. Adela