Brief tension in LP after change in media staffers

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Tension briefly enveloped the Liberal Party (LP) campaign Wednesday after staff members of Senator Francis “Chiz" Escudero working for the LP during the election period were relieved of their duties as media coordinators covering the campaign. Escudero’s staffers were reportedly eased out because their principal was allegedly found to have supported the vice presidential bid of Makati City mayor Jejomar Binay, instead of Senator Mar Roxas, who is the LP’s vice-presidential bet. As a result, Roxas’ staff took over as media coordinators during the LP's sortie in Pampanga on Wednesday, surprising reporters coordinating with Escudero's staff working for the party in a temporary capacity ever since the start of the election period. But LP standard-bearer Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III neither confirmed nor denied allegations that they were eased out because the latter is allegedly supporting Binay. “As far as I'm concerned their principal talked to me, we have certain agreements and disagreements [that] are being adhered to at this point," Aquino said in an ambush interview. The unexpected pull-out of Escudero's staff drew complaints from journalists covering Aquino's campaign, as Escudero's staff had been efficient in coordinating campaign activities with the media. Aquino downplayed the pull-out, saying it was "wrong" to call the sudden replacement of Escudero's staff a "take-over." "The important thing is they're still in my team. Si Chiz [Escudero] and his people are still in my team, specifically my team, hindi LP, hindi yung coalition — my team," he said. However, after a few hours, Roxas' staff announced that Danny Gozo, the head of Roxas' communication bureau, has said that Escudero's staff will return to the LP campaign Thursday. Escudero has not publicly endorsed Aquino's presidential bid, but he has been quoted earlier as saying he would announce his choice soon. Escudero has also refused to confirm his rumored support for Binay's vice presidential bid. Escudero was supposed to attend the press conference of the Filipinos for Peace, Justice and Progress Movement (FPJPM) — which endorsed Escudero as its presidential bet before he announced that he won't be seeking the presidency — last March where the group endorsed Binay, but the senator did not show up. - GMANews.TV