Lacson supports Escudero decision to go independent

A rumored possible running mate of now independent Senator Francis “Chiz" Escudero on Monday expressed his support for the latter’s decision to bolt the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). Senator Panfilo Lacson said Escudero’s decision to leave the NPC should be respected and emulated. “Ako mismo ay sang-ayon at handang itaguyod ang adhikain tungo sa bagong pamamalakad sa pulitika – ang ‘people politics’ (I myself am in favor and ready to support his aspiration for new politics – for people politics)," Lacson said in a text message. He added that Escudero’s move should not be seen as a political suicide. “It could work both ways. Hindi political suicide na maituturing kung ang ginawa niya ay magmumulat ng kaisipan ng mga mamamayan na talikuran na ang dumi ng takbo ng pulitika sa bansa (It cannot be considered as a political suicide if his action will open the mind of the people to turn their back on dirty politicking)," the senator added. Lacson said he himself had been a victim of dirty politics in the country, referring to his failed presidential bid in 2004 when he ran as an independent after his party, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), chose to support the candidacy of Fernando Poe Jr. over him. Both Lacson and Poe lost to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Lacson also welcomed Escudero’s statement against receiving his Priority Development Fund (PDF) allotment, more commonly known as pork barrel. He believed the pork barrel is the main cause of corruption in the Congress and the reason some senators and congressmen refused to be on Malacanang’s bad side. “Sana ay magsama kami ni Chiz (Escudero’s nickname) sa tuwirang hindi pagtanggap sa P200 million pork barrel para sa susunod na budget year nang sa ganun ay P400 million na ang mababawas sa budget deficit natin na pambawas din sa uutangin ng ating pamahalaan (I hope Chiz and I are on the same side each time we refuse to receive the P200 million pork barrel for the next budget year, so that the budget deficit is reduced by P400 million, which also means a reduction in our government’s debts)," Lacson said. For his part, Escudero thanked his colleague’s “kind words and expression of support for the decision I made." “I look forward to working with him in our common fight to rid the government of corruption and in enlightening our people that they can dream and they have a choice," he said in a text message to GMANews.TV. He said he had not been receiving his pork barrel since he filed the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2005. Asked if he is considering Lacson as his possible running mate in 2010 polls, Escudero said: “(I) haven’t even decided to run yet. It’s premature to discuss it." Talks were rife that Lacson could be Escudero’s partner in next year’s polls as Lacson’s former campaign manager, Lito Banayo, is now handling the Escudero’s campaign. In an earlier interview with GMANews.TV, Banayo said that Escudero "will definitely run" for presidency. Escudero was being groomed as the NPC's standard bearer before he resigned from the party. - Amita O. Legaspi, GMANews.TV