Escudero grateful for endorsement from Albay Gov. Salceda

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero  ARNOLD ALMACEN

Senator “Chiz” Escudero said he was overwhelmed by the endorsements he received from political heavyweights and various groups, the latest of which was from Albay Governor Joey Salceda.

Escudero said Salceda’s endorsement gave him a “potentially significant boost” barely two weeks before the May 9 general elections.

READ: Salceda also backs Escudero’s VP bid

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Gov. Joey at sa iba pang nagpahayag ng suporta. Alam n’yo, malaking bagay ‘yan para sa akin, lalung-lalo na’t independent na kandidato po ako,” Escudero said in a radio interview Tuesday.

(We thank Gov. Joey and the others who have pledged their support. This is a big deal for me, especially since I’m an independent candidate.)

“Wala po akong partido, makinarya o pera ‘di tulad ng ibang kandidato kung kaya’t anumang suporta na nagmumula sa mga opisyal, indibidwal, grupo, organisasyon o partido ay malaking bagay po ‘yan palagi para sa akin,” he said.

(I don’t have a party, a machinery, or  money like the other candidates, which is why any support from officials, individuals, groups, organizations, or parties is always very important for me.)

Salceda, former regional chairman of the ruling Liberal Party (LP), junked last week a fellow Bicolano, administration bet and Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, to support Escudero’s bid.

The governor also dumped former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas for Escudero’s running mate, presidential bet Sen. Grace Poe.

“My president is Grace Poe,” Salceda said in a statement last week.

“My president has clear plans and has the heart for the ordinary Filipino. She listens to countryside concerns and would stand firm for the country. Her intentions are pure. She has the ability and courage to enforce the law.

“For the good of all Albayanos, and for the future of my country, it is my duty to join ‘Gobyernong may Puso’ (Government With a Heart),” Salceda added.

READ: Albay governor drops Mar, embraces Grace

Escudero expressed hope that Salceda’s support for him and Poe would “lift their political fortunes” in the Bicol region, which is composed of six provinces: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon.

Last month, Escudero also secured a major endorsement from one of Cebu province’s most influential political figures, former Gov. Emilio “Lito” Osmeña.

The 77-year-old Osmeña joined Barug Alang sa Kauswagan ug Demokrasya or Bakud Party of the prominent Durano clan in endorsing Escudero’s vice presidential bid to Cebuano voters.

Cebu is the most vote-rich province in the country with more than 2.7 million registered voters for the coming polls, according to data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Escudero was also endorsed by 48 lawmakers and regional candidates in the district and party-list ranks led by Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, who promised to deliver at least 10 million votes for the Poe-Escudero tandem.

Negros Occidental was identified by the Comelec as the fifth most vote-rich province with over 1.66 million registered voters.

Among those who have also endorsed Escudero’s vice presidential bid include the following: Reelectionist Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, son of Poe’s rival, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; former Senator Leticia Ramos-Shahani, sister of former President Fidel Ramos; Ifugao Gov. Denis Habawel; the Kabalikat ng Bayan Kaunlaran or KABAKA party of Manila mayoral candidate and incumbent Rep. Amado Bagatsing; the Alliance of Concerned Transport Operators or ACTO, one of the country’s biggest transport groups with 400,000 members nationwide; and the Coalition of Clean Air Advocates Philippines that also named the senator a “Clean Air Champion,” among others.  JE