No announcement yet of 2010 poll plans for Escudero

As the country reels from the effects of tropical cyclones "Ondoy" and "Pepeng," opposition Senator Francis Escudero has opted to defer any announcement of his political plans in connection with the 2010 presidential elections. In an interview on GMA News' Unang Hirit on Monday, Escudero told anchor Arnold Clavio that "this is not the time to dwell into politics." "Dahil hindi ito ang tamang panahon para pag-usapan ang pulitika, ang pamumulitika at pagtakbo sa darating na eleksyon (Because this is not the right time to talk about politics, politicking and running in the upcoming 2010 elections)," said Escudero, who turned 40 last Saturday and is now eligible to seek the presidency in next year's polls. Under Article VII, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, "No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election." According to Escudero, what should be prioritized right now is the assistance that should be given to victims of the recent weather disturbances. "Kalunus-lunos ang kalagayaan doon (The situation there is very heartbreaking)," Escudero said referring to the storm-hit areas he visited in Pangasinan: Rosales, Villasis, San Nicolas, Asingan and Tayug.

Earlier, it was widely speculated that Escudero would be announcing his bid for the presidency in 2010 on Monday. Escudero is from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), a party founded by tycoon Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. when he himself sought the presidency in the 1992 elections. Cojuangco is the party's chairman emeritus. Asked by Clavio if he is still running despite the deferred announcement, Escudero said: "May desisyon at pasya na kami. Hindi lang ito ang tamang panahon para banggitin at pag-usapan yan (We already have a decision but now is not the right time to declare or talk about it)." "Malayo pa at isang buwan pa ang deadline. Eyes on the ball muna tayo at tutukan ang problema ngayon (The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy is still far. What we should do is focus on the present problem)," he added. Pressed if Senator Loren Legarda will be his running mate, Escudero merely replied: "Magka-partido kami at walang dahilan na hindi kami magkakasama sa mga darating na panahon (We are party mates and there is no reason for us not to be together in the coming days)." Earlier, Legarda claimed to being courted by at least five prospective presidential candidates. [See: Loren bares VP offers by 5 presidential aspirants] Legarda, however, did not name those supposedly eyeing her as running mate, although a source identified them as former President Joseph Estrada, Senators Escudero, Manuel Villar Jr., Richard Gordon and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. Appeal for storm victims In the same television interview, Escudero called on the Department of Education to give credits to all the students affected by the typhoon instead of additional school days. "Paano sila mag-aaral kung ang eskwelahan lubog sa baha, paano sila mag-aaral kung ang lahat ng gamit ay basa at hindi mapapakinabangan. Magagamit pa siguro ang mga kabataan para tumulong sa repair at rehabilitation at paglilinis (How can they study if their school is still under water, if all their school things were damaged. Maybe we should allow the students to help in the repair and rehabilitation efforts)," Escudero said. "Hindi matatawaran ang matututunan ng mga kabataan sa karanasan gaano man kapait (They will surely learn from this experience)." He believed that even those who were not affected by Pepeng will also get something from the tragedy by helping others. The senator also asked the engineering brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Equipment of the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to help in the clearing operations in the affected areas in Pangasinan. He also called on fellow Bicolanos to help in the relief operations. "Nanawagan na kami sa mga kababayan ko sa buong Bicol na tumulong sa mga nasalantang lugar ngayon bilang pasasalamat at pagganti sa tulong na ibinibigay kung kami ang nasasalanta (We have asked our constituents in Bicol to help those who were affected by the typhoon as our way of giving gratitude to those who helped us when we were hit by disasters)," Escudero said - with Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV