CHIZ TO RIVALS: ACCEPT, RESPECT NPC DECISION

SAN FERNANDO CITY, PAMPANGA--Respect and accept the decision of the National People's Coalition (NPC).

This was the reply of independent vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero to rivals belonging to other political parties, who are trying to downplay the endorsement of his and Sen. Grace Poe's candidacies by the NPC, the country's second largest political party.

Both Poe and Escudero are top pick of voters as president and vice president, respectively, in various pre-election surveys.

"Magpakalalaki sila kaugnay sa bagay na ito. Tanggapin at galangin kung anuman ang pasya, pabor man 'yun o kontra sa kanila," Escudero told a press conference here, referring to Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Escudero said that Roxas and Binay were not in a position to speak on behalf of the NPC.

"Huli kong tiningnan, LP si Mar at UNA si VP Binay. Wala yata silang karapatan na magsalita para sa NPC," Escudero pointed out.

The veteran lawmaker also dismissed the comments of Roxas' and Binay's camps, saying they were mere sour grapes after failing to get the support of the NPC.

"Lahat sila humarap sa NPC para hilingin ang endorsement ng partido. Kung hindi namin nakuha 'yun, mananahimik kami at gagalangin ang pasya ng NPC," Escudero pointed out.

He added: "Porke't hindi nila nakuha ang dami naman nilang masyadong sinasabi. Sila nga itong may dati nang partido at dati nang malaking makinarya, bakit sila nagrereklamo ngayon?"

In a radio interview in Angeles City earlier, Escudero insisted that the NPC's support gives him and Poe a further lift two months before the May 9 elections.

"The NPC endorsement is a big deal to us because it will put warm bodies on the ground for our campaign," Escudero said.

Poe and Escudero are independents and running under the "Gobyernong may Puso" platforms anchored on rapid inclusive growth, transparent government and global competitiveness.

During a press conference at the House of Representatives on Monday, NPC officials led by their president, Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao, announced that the party had decided to adopt Poe and Escudero as their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively, in the May 9 polls.

NPC spokesperson Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga, in the same press conference, said the entire machinery and resources of the party, which is fielding 4,129 national and local candidates for the coming elections, will be used to advance the candidacies of the Poe-Escudero tandem.

Poe and Escudero gladly accepted the NPC's endorsement, but they clarified that they had no intention of joining the party and will remain independent even if they get elected in May.