Chiz announcing his resignation from NPC
The decision of Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero to bolt from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the party that nurtured his political career the past 11 years, has introduced a new moral element in the campaign.
It showed a young candidate, without the logistics – from family treasure chest or from business earnings or from government resources – to subsidize a national campaign which election experts say could cost P3 billion, daring to go direct to the people to bring his message of reforms in governance.
He gave three reasons in his speech but what interested me was the second:”Sinumang tatakbo o magiging Pangulo ng bansa, hindi pwedeng magawa ang mga dapat niyang gawin ng naka-kadena ang aking mga kamay at paa, naka-piring ang aking mga mata at may busal ang aking bibig. At lalong di dapat mag desisyon base sa dinidikta ng interes ng iisang grupo, partido o tao lamang. Kung gusto nating umunlad at guminhawa hindi na pwede ang dating gawi. Kung hindi… papaano niya halimbawa, isusulong ang pagpapanagot sa tiwali; pork barrel; ambassador; contractualization; bodyguard; oil deregulation law; Pagcor.
It shocked many who have misjudged him as a young tradpol. Here are some insights from people who are watching the political scenes closely:
Ding Gagelonia in his online blog “Midfield”: “ I think among the factors that Escudero rebelled against was the pre-emptive announcement by Rep. Mark Cojuangco, son of Nationalist People’s Coalition Chair Emeritus Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco that it was to be a Chiz Escudero-Loren Legarda Tandem for the NPC in the 2010 elections.
“Such announcement came in direct violation of the established principle that it the supposed party standard bearer who’s given the free choice to pick his running mate, with even Legarda herself staging her own solo vice presidential bid launch.
“Methinks what is unfolding is a noble assertion that for positive change to come, it is people politics that must reign supreme over party politics.
“The objective is for the pre-eminence of decisions grounded on commitment to what is in the interest of the people rather than a select few’s narrow agenda of self preservation.”
Raissa Robles, correspondent of Hongkong”s South China Morning Post, blogged the information she got from two reliable sources that Escudero turned down One billion pesos offered to him in exchange for withdrawing from the presidential race.
Raissa also said “The sources both said the NPC founder had forged an agreement to pair off NPC official, Senator Loren Legarda, with Senator Manuel Villar, chair of the Nacionalista Party who is running for president.
“Doesn’t this smack of an arranged marriage? They mentioned Senator Eduardo Angara as the marriage broker.
“Anyway, Ms. Loren, who professes to be single right now, is the happy bride.
Wonder how much her dowry will cost Cojuangco who is still trying to wangle total control of San Miguel Corporation.”
I got also the info about the P1 billion offer not only to withdraw from the presidential race but to be the candidate’s vice president.
But it looks like Chiz is pushing on with his presidential bid on his own terms. It will be an uphill battle, no doubt.
Tongue- twisted posted in my blog: “Chiz’ next worry is machinery. The country’s 7,110 islands is a logistics nightmare for any national candidate that party machinery (and the usual expense that goes with it) comes in handy for that purpose. We saw the FPJ for President Movement people wearing their Tshirts at the presscon. But Chiz is not FPJ, Susan Roces wasn’t even in the presscon. I’m not even sure an FPJPM machinery still exists.
“His camp has long been toying with the idea of capturing the youth vote via volunteerism, but with the scarce demographics no one is sure if the more economical methods of digital-based campaigning will be sufficient to nail the top plum. Here, a slight miscalculation spells danger.
“The recent announcement of the Samahang Magdalo gave Chiz’ a much needed boost, it’s young officers are very much in the same age group as Chiz’ and looks like they share the same ideals. Magdalo’s “Para sa Pagbabago” tagline and Escudero’s “Bagong Pagbabago” both suggest a departure from traditional systems not just mere change of faces for the sake of change.
“While Chiz spoke, we saw in the wall behind him the huge Magdalo logo. I hope the youth will be inspired by the coalition. I hope Chiz and Magdalo can transform them from mere apathetic spectators they are now into proactive stakeholders because for change to happen, it must start with the young. We can’t teach old dogs new tricks.
“This is getting exciting.”
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) From the looks of it, this fried chicken is better calling nakabiting manok (the hanging chicken) but trust Pinoys to concoct the most descriptive names for their food.
