Vice presidential candidate Francis “Chiz” Escudero said he and running mate presidential bet Senator Grace Poe will remain independent despite the endorsement from his former political party, the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa tulong na ibibigay ng NPC pero mananatili kaming independent at hindi kami aanib sa kanilang partido,” Escudero said at a press conference in Tuguegarao on Monday.
READ: Poe, Escudero finally get NPC’s endorsement
(We are thankful for the help that the NPC will give but we continue to be independent (candidate) and we will not join their party.)
Poe and Escudero are running as independent candidates under the “Gobyernong may Puso” platforms anchored on rapid and inclusive growth, transparent government and global competitiveness.
Both were in the province when the NPC, the second largest political group in the country, announced its decision to support the tandem in the upcoming elections in May.
READ: It’s official: NPC endorses Poe, Escudero
Escudero said the endorsement was a “welcome boost” to his candidacy and that of Poe.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko sa aking dating partido,” he said. “Marami kasi ang nagsasabi na mahina kami at walang makinarya, malaking boost ito para magkaroon kami ng presensya sa mas maraming parte ng Pilipinas.”
(I am very grateful to my former party. There are lot of people who say that we do not have a strong influence and campaign machinery, so this is a welcome boost for us to have our presence in more areas in the Philippines.) RAM
