ALLIANCES, TANDEMS FOR 2010 MUST BE PLATFORM-BASED - CHIZ

Opposition Senator Chiz Escudero yesterday said alliances or tandems for the 2010 elections must be based on platform and not on the strength of party machinery, personal popularity, or financial capability.

"I have made my stand known on key issues which need to be addressed for real change to happen in this country. Any alliance or coalition can only be forged if there is agreement, or a consensus on resolving these long-standing concerns," the 40-year old lawmaker said.

Escudero, who is expected to announce his political plans before the Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy, has publicly declared that he is for a P125 wage increase and against labor contractualization.

He has also called for abolition of the pork barrel and the repeal of the oil deregulation law.

The youngest among the presidential frontrunners, the Bicol lawmaker said those seeking the highest office of the land should now state their positions on these issues.

"These are fundamental issues that matter most to our people. The people deserve to know from the presidentiables what they stand for and what their plans are if they become president in the next six years," he said.

"For a long time now, our people have been given the raw end of the electoral deal. I hope that this time they will be able to decide whom to choose on the basis of a candidate's agenda for governance," Escudero said.

He also reiterated that if he decides to run for the presidency, he will be doing it without being influenced by anyone or dictated by any political party.

"This should be the first test of leadership of any putative candidate - for him to decide on his own and take full responsibility for the decision on whether not to run and what position to run for," he said.