Escudero: Alleged draft resolution on Poe DQ case aims to counter NPC support

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga—Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero assailed on Tuesday the alleged draft resolution on the disqualification case against Senator Grace Poe, saying that more than “mind-conditioning,” it was meant to counter the Nationalist People’s Coalition’s (NPC) endorsement of their candidacies in the upcoming elections in May.

The NPC formally threw its support behind Poe’s and Escudero’s presidential and vice presidential bids, respectively.

READ: Poe, Escudero finally get NPC’s endorsement

However, as they rejoiced over the support that they received from the party, the Manila Times reported the alleged draft resolution purportedly disqualifying Poe from the presidential race.

“Nagulat kami sa mga balitang naglabasan kaugnay sa pagkakaroon na raw ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema. Hindi namin inasahan ‘yon,” Escudero said at a press conference held at the Fortune Restaurant here.

(We were surprised by the published reports on alleged Supreme Court decision (on Poe’s case). We didn’t expect that.)

“At ang maganda sigurong tanong sa kung sino man ang naglalabas niyan, paano nila nalaman, sino ang nagsabi sa kanila at bakit tila sila lamang ang nakakaalam ng resulta?”

(And here are the interesting questions to ask: who was the source of the report? How did they know about it? Who told them? And why does it seem they are the only ones who know the result?

As far as he knows, Escudero said the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the disqualification cases against Poe would be out next week.

READ: Poe case up for resolution

He then challenged the source of the said draft decision to show it to the public.

“Tingin ko, higit sa mind-conditioning, malamang galing ‘yon sa mga katunggali ni Senator Grace,” Escudero said.

(I think that beyond mind-conditioning, it is more likely that the report came from Senator Grace’s rivals.)

Malamang gusto nilang kontrahin ‘yung magandang balita na pag-endorso sa kanya ng NPC na ibinigay at iginawad kahapon. Pangontra siguro at panimbang sa magandang balitang ‘yon ang kanilang tinangkang gawin kaya naglabas ng ganitong uri ng balita o ng chismis.”

(Perhaps they want to oppose the good news on NPC endorsement of her which was offered and given yesterday. This maybe an opposition to the good news they intended to do in spreading this kind of report or hearsay.)

“Nagtataka lang din kami, parang siguradong-sigurado na sila sa boto ng korte; parang alam na alam nila ang nangyayari sa loob ng korte. Sino ba siya at sino ba ang kausap nila sa loob para maging ganyan sila kakampante sa sinasabi nilang magiging resulta raw ng Korte Suprema?” he further asked.

(And we are also wondering, it seems like they are absolutely certain about the court’s vote; it seems like they know what is happening inside the court. Who is he or she and whom they are talking to inside the court for them to be too confident on the supposed Supreme Court’s result?)

Amid all these talks, Poe said it would be better if the SC would come up with a decision.

“I think mas maayos nga sa akin na matapos na rin ito e, kung ano man ‘yung kahihinatnan, kami naman ay kumpiyansa,” she said.

(I think it would be better for me if this would be decided on with finality. We are confident whatever the outcome will be.)

“Basta narinig na natin, more or less alam na natin ‘yung posisyon ng iba doon, pero hangga’t hindi nailalabas ‘yan wala namang opisyal. At siguro naman, kung mayroon mang makakaalam na una, ay kaming may mga kinalaman diyan sa kaso,” Poe added.

(We have heard it, more or less we know some of the positions on the matter, but unless the result is out, there is no official decision. And I hope if there would people who are supposed to know the decision first, it would be us who are involved in the case.) RAM