Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
CALAMBA, Laguna, Philippines — Some Liberal Party (LP) members are allegedly being harassed by the administration to prevent them from defecting to the camp of presidential aspirant Grace Poe, her running mate, Francis “Chiz” Escudero disclosed on Monday.
Escudero said even police officials were also being pressured by the administration.
“Kakaiba at hindi na tuwid na daan ang ginagawa ng gobyernong ito sa panggigipit sa mga opisyal. Magpalit ka lang ng konti ng kulay, salubungin mo lang kami ni Senator Grace Poe o ibang kandidato, papalitan agad ang chief of police,” he said when asked during a press conference here if there are LP members who are planning to defect to Poe’s camp.
“Bakit nila magagawa yun? Kasi ginawa nilang acting lang naman lahat e. Humigit kumulang 500 chiefs of police out of nearly 1,500 municipalities ang acting dahil may leeway para magawa ang gusto nilang gawin, para gipitin ang sino mang opisyal na nais nilang takutin para huwag umalis o lisanin ang administration.”
Poe herself earlier claimed that many have expressed intention to defect to her team, following the Supreme Court’s decision, allowing her to run for president in the 2016 May elections.
READ: After SC decision, Poe says many defectors will support her presidential bid
Escudero said officials allegedly planning to leave the administration are faced with possible charges in court.
“Pero naniniwala ako hindi tunay na samahan yung samahan na nakabase sa takutan. Hindi tunay na samahan yung samahan na walang respeto at paggalang sa isat isa at hindi rin tuwid ang paggamit ng kapangyarihan ng gobyerno para sa anumang pampulitika na interest na gustong isulong ng administration party sa ngayon,” he said.
“Hindi ako naniniwala na kaya nilang pigilan yun, hindi ako naniniwalang kaya nilang takutin foerver yun dahil kung magtatagumpay sila na gawin yun ngayon at kung dahil dun sila ang mananalo e di hindi lamang 90 araw na pangignipit ang haharapin ng ating mga local officials at congressman. Anim na taong panggigipit, anim na taon pang takutan ang mangayayari,” he said.
Asked for a categorical answer if the local officials and congressmen that he was referring to are members of LP, the vice presidential bet said: “May mga partymates, tinatawagan nga yung iba isa-isa pag nabalitaan lamang e.”
“Pero naniniwala ako, hindi kayang pigilan. Lalabas at lababas pa rin ang pipiliin at gusto ng tao at gayundin ng mga partikular na lokal na official. Uulitin ko, ang samahan hindi dapat binabase sa takot o pananakot, nakabase dapat yan sa mutual respect ng magkabilang panig.”
Escudero could not say how many LP members are being harassed from joining Poe’s camp.
READ: Drilon: No truth to rumors of LP members wanting to join Poe camp
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