Escudero: No regrets backing Binay in 2010 but…

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

DO you also blame the President or former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for once supporting former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?

This was how Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero answered on Tuesday nagging questions whether he had regrets supporting Vice President Jejomar Binay in 2010.

The senator backed President Benigno Aquino III in 2010 but not the latter’s running mate, Roxas, who was defeated by Binay.

“Natanong na po ako doon sa isang school program, ano raw ang nararamdaman? Nagsisisi daw ba ako? Sabi ko, I don’t regret things that I’ve done in my life but I always learn from them,” Escudero said at a forum in Quezon City.

(I was asked during a school program if I regret [supporting Binay]. I said, I don’t regret things that I’ve done in my life but I always learn from them.)

“Pangalawa, ano’ng nararamdaman ko sa lumalabas na alegasyon laban kay Vice President Binay ngayon? Tulad nating lahat, nababagabag at nag-aalala kaya nga po hindi ko siya sinusuportahan sa kanyang pagtakbo bilang pangulo,” he said.

(Second, what do I feel now about the allegations that are coming out against the Vice President.  Just like all of us, I’m bothered and worried that’s why I do not support  his presidential bid.)

But like many others, the senator said, he only learned about the corruption allegations against the Vice President because of the hearings being conducted in the Senate.

“Well, liliwanagin ko rin po, sinisisi ako kaugnay doon sa pagsuporta kay Vice President Binay noong 2010. Sisi, quote unquote, dahil sa maaaring maging panalo niya daw sa 2016. Ibalik ko po yung tanong. Sinisisi ninyo rin po ba si Secretary Mar at Pangulong Aquino sa pagsuporta kay Pangulong Arroyo laban kay FPJ knowing, already, after the fact what GMA did for 10 years in the country?” he asked.

(Well, I’ll make it clear, I am being blamed for supporting Vice President Binay in 2010. I am being blamed, quote unquote, because of what will happen if he wins in 2016.  Let me ask the question, do you also blame Secretary Mar and President Aquino for supporting President Arroyo against FPJ  knowing  already, after the fact what GMA did for 10 years in the country?)

FPJ is the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. who ran  but lost to Arroyo in  2004.  Escudero served as FPJ’s spokesman during the campaign.

“Wala naman po yata akong naririnig na ganoon. Sinuportahan ko si FPJ noon, sila sinuportahan nila si Pangulong Arroyo and knowing the history already. Ano bang ginawa sa atin ni Pangulong Arroyo?”

Escudero explained that he only gave his support for Binay when he ran for vice president in 2010 and not when he was still the mayor of Makati in which most of the alleged corruption activities had been committed.

“Having said that, I am supporting Senator Grace Poe because I believe in her capabilities, not necessarily because I don’t like Vice President Binay or Secretary Mar but I think she’s the best person for the job,” he further said.