MANILA, Philippines?Even as its standard-bearer leads the surveys, the Liberal Party is still courting Senator Francis ?Chiz? Escudero for his support of its ticket in the May 2010 elections, a party stalwart said Friday.

?The LP hopes that Chiz will support the Noynoy-Mar ticket,? said LP spokesman and Quezon Representative Lorenzo ?Erin Tanada III, adding that Escudero?s backing will boost the party?s candidates? ratings in the survey and help ensure victory next year.

Tanada said it could not be denied that Escudero has his own following that could be transferred to the LP tandem of Senators Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III and Manuel ?Mar? Roxas II.

Escudero was one of the aspirants for the presidency until he left his party, the Nationalist People?s Coalition (NPC), and eventually withdrew from the race.

According to Tanada, Escudero has the same platform and principle as that of Aquino and Roxas.

?(They) fought the same battles in the Senate and stood for good governance, accountability, transparency, and was against corruption,? Tanada said.

He added that the three senators are ?decent people with delicadeza (sense of propriety).?

The three supported the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and were vocal critics of moves to amend the Constitution through a constituent assembly, according to Tanada.

Tanada said he hoped Escudero would make his formal endorsement of the LP candidates next year.