Filtered By: Topstories
News

'No problem with Escudero endorsing Noynoy-Binay,' LP bets say


The Liberal Party is not taking Senator Francis Escudero's reported impending endorsement of Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay against him, the party's top two candidates said Wednesday. At a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City, LP standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III said there is no problem with Escudero backing up his candidacy and Binay's instead of the candidacy of Aquino's running-mate Senator Manuel "Mar" Roxas II. "He is endorsing in a personal capacity. He has endorsed me. I cleared this with my partner [Roxas] and there is no issue between my partner and me with regards the endorsement of Senator Escudero," Aquino said. The LP standard bearer also welcomed the reported endorsement by Ang Ladlad, a partylist representing the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender sector, of him and Binay. Roxas said in a separate statement that he was happy with Escudero's endorsement of Aquino. "Magkaibigan kami ni Senator Chiz. Magkaiba ang pananaw namin sa pulitika. Natutuwa ako na sinusuportahan nya ang kandidato ko sa pagkapangulo, at para sa akin, ok na yun (I am friends with Senator Chiz. We have different views on politics. I am happy he is supporting my candidate for president and for me, that is okay)," Roxas said. Escudero is reported to be coming out with an ad endorsing Binay. Although this has yet to come out, a GMA News report aired on Wednesday night showed a glimpse of the ad showing Escudero tell the public, "Ang bise-presidente ko, di pinanganak na mayaman. Di rin ilustrado (My vice-president was not born rich. He's not an ilustrado too)," in a seeming jab at Roxas who is a member of a wealthy landed family.
Early this month, brief tension gripped the LP campaign after staff members of Escudero working for the LP during the election period were relieved of their duties as media coordinators allegedly due to Escudero's support for Binay. Escudero's staff were brought back as media coordinators one day later, after journalists covering the campaign complained of the pull-out. (See: Brief tension in LP after change in media staffers)—JV, GMANews.TV

LOADING CONTENT