Roxas finds unlikely ally as Escudero rejects resignation call

By: Maila Ager - 11 years ago

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.