Escudero also wished for Aquino’s endorsement, says Palace

Malacañang on Saturday turned the tables against vice presidential aspirant Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero for saying it would be better if President Benigno Aquino III did not endorse a candidate to ensure a truly fair elections.

Communications Undersecretary Manolo Quezon said Escudero had also wished for Aquino’s endorsement.

“Hopefully may lost in translation sa sinabi ni Senator Escudero dahil you know, as a clever man that he is, malinaw naman na dati hinahanap niya ang pagkaendorso ng Pangulo. Katakot-takot nga na mga meetings ang nangyari. Siguro masasabi naman natin, I think it would be safe to say, na umaasa rin siya na maendorso siya ng Pangulo,” Quezon said over state-run dzRB.

In a news conference in Cebu, Escudero said he was “slightly sad” when Aquino decided to endorse candidates, namely administration bets Mar Roxas and running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.

“It would have been better if he hadn’t (endorsed anyone), not because he did not endorse Senator Grace or me. It would have been better if the President just supervised and oversaw the conduct of clean and fair elections,” said Escudero.

READ: Escudero says Aquino role in Roxas bid ‘unfair’

But Quezon defended the President by saying there was no contradiction in endorsing certain candidates and ensuring a fair elections in May.

“Hindi naman magkasalungat ang pageendorso ng isang kandidato at ang pagpapatupad ng pangangailangan ng isang malinis na halalan. There’s no contradiction between the two so I’m hoping that the good senator was misquoted because it would not jive with the goings-on before the campaign started,” he said. RC