Allies defend Escudero against tirades

MANILA, Philippines - The Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) took up the cudgels for opposition Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, pointing out Malacañang virtually marginalized him when he was serving as Sorsogon congressman.

“Unfortunately, Escudero has not been receiving his priority development assistance fund (PDAF) as congressman since he led the House minority in 2005 in pursuing the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo,” NPC spokesman and Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian said yesterday.

Gatchalian said it is understandable that Sorsogon remains among the poorest provinces in the country, mainly because Escudero’s hands were tied while representing its first congressional district until 2007.

Gatchalian issued the statement in reaction to allegations of Nacionalista Party spokesmen Gilbert Remulla and Adel Tamano that Escudero did nothing for his congressional district.

“Gilbert Remulla should know that since he was a former congressman and his father was a former governor of Cavite. And it is to the credit of his father, Gov. Johnny Remulla, that Cavite was able to industrialize with the help of then President Marcos,” Gatchalian said.

“Escudero could only do so much with his PDAF (pork barrel) and it would be unfair to blame him for the poverty in his home province,” he said.

Gatchalian said the provincial governor and Malacañang are equally responsible for the development of Sorsogon and other poor provinces.

Tamano earlier taunted Escudero on whether Sorsogon can be held up as the showcase of his presidential ambition. “Chiz is very intelligent and articulate, but people will ask: What achievements has he done to deserve our support?” he said.

Tamano said anybody who aspires to be president must be able to show that he has done something, or present a showcase for the people.

“I think it’s fair to ask: What have you done for your district?” he asked. “There must be some proof of what he has done.”

An Waray party list Rep. Florencio Noel, on the other hand, slammed Tamano for mudslinging Escudero.

“I admire Tamano for the new politics he is pushing. But on the contrary, what he is practicing is the typical style of old politics, which is mudslinging. I would even vote for him (Tamano). I hope he doesn’t disappoint me further,” Noel said.

Noel pointed out Escudero’s proof of achievement was the fact that he was voted by the people of Sorsogon for three consecutive terms before he was elected senator in 2007.

Noel said the NP apparently feels threatened by Escudero’s presidential bid.

Gatchalian also expressed confidence that the continued high ratings of Escudero and Sen. Loren Legarda, the party’s two presidential contenders, are the main reasons why they are subjects of demolition jobs.

“They are both winnable and have already proven their mettle when they became the two topnotchers in the 2007 senatorial elections,” he said.

Legarda topped the senatorial race while Escudero, who had misgivings of their ranking, placed second.

Meanwhile, opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson declared he is open to run as vice president in the 2010 elections, but clarified he has “not given it serious thought.”

When asked if he would be willing to run as vice president for Escudero or Roxas, Lacson evaded the question.

Singer actress Sharon Cuneta, on the other hand, declared her husband, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, would also run as vice president.

Cuneta made the announcement on television while accompanying her husband in Hong Kong in observing the ongoing absentee voters registration for overseas Filipino workers there.