Chiz Escudero says NPC stands with Alyansa, proclaims bets in Sorsogon

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Senate President Chiz Escudero endorses NPC’s local bets in Sorsogon, including family members seeking reelection, while dismissing speculation that he might shift support to one of his cousins running for congressman

SORSOGON, Philippines – Senate President Chiz Escudero declared his full support for the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas as he led the proclamation of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) candidates in Sorsogon at the start of the local campaign period on Friday, March 28.

“Ang NPC ay bahagi ng Alyansa kaya ang susuportahan ng NPC ay ang mga kandidato ng Alyansa,” Escudero told a news conference.

(The NPC is part of Alyansa, so the candidates it will support are those of Alyansa.)

In Laguna earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged a crowd at an Alyansa rally in Laguna to back 11 candidates in the administration Senate slate – the ticket originally had 12 bets. During the Alyansa sortie in Cavite, he did not mention his elder sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who subsequently pulled out of the slate.

Escudero noted that Senator Marcos had already left Alyansa, but did not say whether there was room for a 12 senatorial bet in the NPC.

He also dismissed talk of a negotiation between Alyansa and the Liberal Party about adopting the latter’s two candidates, citing Alyansa campaign manager Toby Tiangco, who dismissed it as a mere rumor.

Escudero endorsed the province’s top incumbent officials, all seeking reelection, raising the hands of Governor Edwin Hamor, his cousin; Vice Governor Krunimar Escudero, his sister; 1st District Representative Bernadette Escudero; and 2nd District Representative Manuel Fortes.
He also proclaimed NPC’s candidates at the municipal level.

Escudero’s sister is running unopposed, while his cousin, Vice Governor Antonio Krunimar Escudero, faces a challenge from incumbent board member Ryan Dioneda for the vice-gubernatorial seat.

Another cousin, lawyer Antonio Krunimar Escudero III of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and brother of the vice governor, is running against Fortes for the 2nd District congressional seat.

Hamor is up against incumbent Matnog Mayor Cattleya So.

Escudero dismissed speculation that he might shift support to his cousin in the congressional race, stressing that he would back NPC’s local candidates regardless of family ties. – Rappler.com