Roxas finds unlikely ally as Escudero rejects resignation call

Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

MANILA Philippines – Local Government Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II has found an unlikely ally in Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who rejected a colleague’s resignation call for Roxas.

The two had been perceived to be at odds after Escudero backed the candidacy of Vice President Jejomar Binay, who won against Roxas in 2010.

But Roxas got Escudero’s backing after Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. called for his resignation, citing his alleged failure to perform his job.

“Wala naman akong nakikitang ganun, ni wala akong nakikitang basehan para magkaroon ng ganung panawagan dahil ni wala  akong narinig o nabalitaan  na pumutok na issue laban kay Secretary  Roxas o sa pamamalakad nya,” Escudero said Tuesday when sought to react to Revilla’s call.

(I don’t see anything like that.  I don’t  even see  any basis for any resignation call  because  I have  not heard any issue  against  Secretary  Roxas  or  his  leadership)

Escudero did not also agree with Revilla’s observation  that the crime rate in the country  has worsen  under Roxas’ term as  head of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

“I don’t think there is lawlessness now in the country. Yes there are crimes but the question is whether the people liable have been arrested or not.  But I don’t think you can blame it to only one person,” the senator said in Filipino.

Asked if the resignation call was baseless, Escudero:  “I don’t see any reason at this point.”

But  Escudero  said  he understood where Revilla  was coming, noting  the  criticisms  that he  has been getting in connection with the  “pork barrel” scam.

Revilla accused Roxas as the one behind former Technology Resource Center chief Dennis Cunanan’s decision to turn against him and other senators allegedly involved in the scam.

Both Revilla and Cunanan are respondents in the cases filed at the Office of the Ombudsman.

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