Chiz hands out Noynoy-Binay poll materials, but insists no tiff with Mar

Even as he insisted there was no tiff between him and Sen. Manuel Roxas II, Sen. Francis Escudero on Wednesday maintained his solid support for Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay, who has a different running mate. In a chance encounter at a Quezon City restaurant with reporters covering the Liberal Party’s campaign, Escudero reiterated his support for Aquino and Binay even if Roxas is Aquino’s running mate. Binay is running alongside former President Joseph Estrada. Upon the prodding of supporters, Escudero had his staff take out Noynoy-Binay campaign shirts and stickers. However, he clarified that he did not order or finance the production of the materials, which he said were only given to him. Escudero also denied having anything to do with the Noynoy-Binoy posters seen along the Roxas Boulevard in Manila and Pasay cities. “Wala naman akong perang ganoon karami para sa mga ganiyang uri ng kampanya. Supisyante na yung nagboses ako at nagsalita tungkol diyan (I don’t have that much money for that kind of campaign. My vocal support for the tandem is already enough)," Escudero said. Escudero and Roxas are prospective rivals for the presidency in 2016. However, Escudero insisted his support for Binay does not mean he is at odds with Roxas. “Hindi naman kami nag-away at wala kaming pinag-awayan (We had no argument and we’re not having any argument)," he said, adding that he is backing Binay because they have long been colleagues in the opposition. “My choice of Binay does not mean anything; anything does not say anything about the other candidates. It has nothing to do with them and it does not diminish in any way their ability to serve should they win," he said. Escudero also slammed the latest fake report on Aquino’s mental health, saying black propaganda is common during elections. “Hindi ko siya tutulungan at i-eendorso kung naniniwala akong totoo iyong paratang na iyon (I will not help and endorse Aquino if I believe in what the report alleges)," he said. - RJAB Jr., GMANews.TV