Escudero: I’ll never run against Grace Poe
SENATOR Francis Escudero assured on Tuesday that he and his friend, Senator Grace Poe, would never run against each other for any position.
Escudero gave this assurance amid persistent talks that they might end up running against each other if the administration succeeds in getting Poe as the running mate of Mar Roxas in 2016.
Escudero has been leading the vice presidential surveys while Poe emerged as the voters’ top choice for president based on the latest survey of Pulse Asia.
“Sinabi ko na noon pa man, maski na nagbitiw ako bilang chairman ng committee on finance, susuportahan ko ano man ang decision ni Senator Poe kaugnay sa 2016 — tumakbo man sya o hindi, tumakbo man sya para sa ano mang pwesto,” he told reporters.
(I already said before that even after I resigned as chairman of the committee on finance, I will support whatever the decision of Senator Poe in connection with the 2016 elections — whether or not she runs for whatever position.)
READ: Citing ‘delicadeza,’ Escudero quits as head of 2 finance panels
“At sa panig ko, bilang ordinaryong botante man o supporter , o bilang kandidato nakahanda akong sumuporta at tumulong sa kanya tulad ng ginawa ko sa kanyang ama noong 2004,” said the senator, referring to Poe’s late father, Fernando Poe Jr (FPJ).
(And on my part, either as an ordinary voter or supporter or as a candidate, I’m ready to support and help her like what I did to her father in 2004.)
FPJ ran but lost to former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.
Asked if he would still run for vice president if Poe decides to become Roxas’ running mate, Escudero said: “Hindi kami magkakalaban ni Senator Poe para sa ano mang pwesto (We will not run against each other for any post).”
Asked then if he was willing to sacrifice his possible vice presidential run next year, he said: “Mas malaking sakripisyo ang pagtakbo kesa hindi pagtakbo.”
“Again hindi kami magkakalaban ni Senator Poe kahit anong mangyari,” he further said.
Escudero resigned last week as chairman of the powerful committee on finance lest he be accused of using his position to advance his possible run next year. He disclosed that he was “seriously considering” running for a higher post in 2016.
READ: Escudero ‘seriously considering’ 2016 run
