Escudero gets ‘cheezy’, says ‘politics isn’t like love’

Senator Francis Escudero. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Friday said that it would be up to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) or the Liberal Party to decide whether he would be included in the coalition’s line-up of senatorial candidates.

In an interview, Escudero said that he has been talking with President Benigno Aquino III of the LP and Vice President Jejomar Binay, of UNA coalition but said he would not pre-empt the decision of the two parties regarding his being a common candidate.

“Until they do not announce it, since I am not a member of the governing board of the LP and UNA, I do not want to forestall LP or UNA in announcing who will be included in their coalition. I will just await their decision on that matter,” Escudero said in Filipino.

He added that for a candidate, it is a welcome event if two parties support their electoral bid.

“Politics is not like love where you only have to choose one. It is possible that you will be helped and supported by different parties and from the point of view of any candidate, it’s a great help and we will be thankful for that,” Escudero said.

When asked if as a candidate of UNA he would adhere to its policy that its candidates may only campaign under the coalition, Escudero, said, It’s not a question of whether I can or not. First of all, let us remember that I am not a member of any party and maybe there is no one who can impose any rule on anyone. The question is, will they accept that or not? That is not for me to answer,” he said.