Escudero mulling Senate presidency bid, says Tulfo

FILE PHOTO: Senator-elect Francis “Chiz” Escudero. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Senator-elect Francis Escudero is considering vying for the Senate presidency, his fellow senator-elect, Raffy Tulfo, said Thursday.

Tulfo said he called up Escudero to ask whether he has plans to run for the Senate presidency.

“Kagabi kinausap ko si Chiz Escudero, tinanong ko siya kung meron na rin ba siyang balak, sabi niya pinagiisipan niya,” Tulfo said in an ANC interview.

(I talked to Chiz Escudero last night, I asked him if he has plans, and he said he is thinking about it.)

INQUIRER.net is seeking Escudero’s confirmation but has yet to receive a response as of writing.

Meanwhile, Tulfo also disclosed having already received calls from some senators who told him about their plans should they take the helm of the Senate.

“May mga nakipagusap sa akin at sinabi sa akin yung kanilang magiging programa once sila ay naging Senate president pero wala namang nagkwento sa akin na ‘Hey, dito sa akin, kumampi ka sa akin,’” Tulfo said.

(There are senators who have talked to me telling me what their programs will be is they become Senate president but no one told me ‘Hey, side with me.’)

Tulfo said among those who called him are Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri as well as Senators Cynthia Villar and Imee Marcos, who is reportedly eyeing the position of Senate president pro tempore.

Asked who he favors to become the next Senate president, Tulfo said he has yet to make a decision.

But he said he will take into consideration the senator’s character.

“And very, very important yung senador na wala masyadong business interest na poprotektahan [a senator who doesn’t have much business interest to protect],” he added.

/MUF