Escudero to run for vice president, if …

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he would seek the vice presidency if he decided to run for a higher post in 2016.

“Kung sakali magkokonsidera ako na tumakbo ng mas mataas na pwesto, siguro bise…”(In case I consider running for a higher post, maybe I’ll run for vice president) he said in an interview over Radyo Inquirer on Wednesday.

“Hindi pa yun desisyon. Yan palang ang tinitimbang ko (That’s not yet my decision. It’s what I am considering),” he added.

Escudero confirmed that he and Senator Grace Poe had been talking about a possible team up.

Poe says she has yet to decide if she would run for a higher post next year, even as recent surveys show her closing in on Vice President Jejomar Binay in voters’ preference for president in 2016.

“Wala pa kaming pasya (We haven’t reached a decision),” Escudero said, referring to Poe. He added, “Minsan lang kami magsasalita kaugnay sa pagtakbo o hindi pagtakbo, magkasama o individually sa 2016.” (We will talk about it only once—whether or not we will run together or individually in 2016)

“Mahirap kasing pabalik-balik o pabago bago ang deklarasyon. Kung magdedeklara man si Senator Poe ay ito ay ang kanyang personal na desisyon hindi dahil hiniling o sinabi ninuman,” (It’s not good to be neither here nor there or to make shifting declarations.)

“Sa pagka mayor man, barangay captain o presidente, dapat angkinin mo yung desisyong yun,” (Whether for mayor, village chief or president, one should claim that decision), he said, adding that it should become the “first of leadership” by anyone seeking public office.

Asked if the Liberal Party had offered him to become the running mate of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Escudero said: “Walang ganung pag-uusap kaugnay sa 2016 election at walang alok (There’s no such discussion about the 2016 election and there’s no offer.)”

LP members are pushing for Roxas to be its standard-bearer next year but the latter has not made any declaration about his candidacy.