Salceda also backs Escudero’s VP bid

Albay Governor Joey Salceda. INQUIRER.net file photo

In joining “Gobyernong May Puso (government with a heart),” Albay Gov. Joey Salceda dumps a fellow Bicolano to support the vice presidential bid of another in Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Salceda, a member of the administration’s Liberal Party (LP), had endorsed the presidential bid of former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and his running mate Camarines Sur Rep. Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo.

On Friday, however, Salceda announced that he was withdrawing his support for Roxas to back Sen. Grace Poe.

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Asked if he was also endorsing Poe’s running mate Escudero, Salceda in a text message said “yes.”

Sought for comment, Escudero said: “I am eternally grateful for his endorsement of my candidacy as well as that of Grace.”

“This is definitely a big boost to our candidacy especially given the fact that Governor Salceda is well respected and looked up to in Bicol as well as the entire country. Maraming salamat [P]oe (Thank you so much)!” Escudero added.

“I made a personal decision in performance of my prophetic mission to guide our people at this crucial (time),” Salceda said when asked if there are other LP members who will later defect to Poe and Escudero’s camp. RAM/RC