Escudero won’t oppose Roxas appointment to Palace post

MANILA, Philippines–Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero has no objection to the impending appointment of former Senator Mar Roxas as Malacanang Chief of Staff so long as it would be in the interest of the country, and not just another case of debt of gratitude.

Escudero, an administration ally, recognized that under the Administrative Code, President Aquino has the power to reorganize his office and the executive branch.

Roxas was Aquino’s running-mate in the May 2010 presidential elections but he lost to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Escudero and Roxas had been at odds when Escudero endorsed the vice presidential bid of Jejomar Binay, who eventually won the vice presidency.

Escudero is identified with the Samar Group composed of those who supported the Aquino-Binay tandem in the 2010 elections while Roxas belongs to the so-called Balay Group, composed of those who supported the Aquino-Roxas tandem.

And while they belonged to different factions in the administration, Escudero hopes that Roxas’ appointment would unite the people in Malacanang, instead of aggravating the perceived tension between the two groups.